What were the two of them doing here? Elise thought she escaped Tessa back then at Bloomingrose so why was the woman here? This was only a mere chance, wasn't it?

"We didn't expect to see you here, I'm so glad we found you," Tessa said. "Why did you run away from home, Madeleine? You know that your father is sick and yet you're here causing trouble for the family."

"That's not..." Elise stammered for a moment. It was as if the words were caught in her throat.

A patronizing gaze was present in Tessa's eyes. On her face was an unkind smile. "I also didn't realize that you'd stoop so low to this. But I'm glad you're doing well, cousin."

It was there that Julian glanced briefly at Loriel.

"Who is this man you're with? It pains me as your fiance to know that you ran off to NYC to be with other men." Julian said, glaring at Loriel but then clicking his tongue at Elise.

The two of them acted like Elise was a sinful woman that deserved to be scorned.

Already there were some hushed stares coming from the other dining guests and even the maitre 'd seemed to have given up in trying to lead the couple back to their table.

Loriel glared back at the man and didn't bother to hide his distaste for him. For the two of them at once. "The two of you have--"

And yet none of it mattered. Loriel's words didn't matter here to Elise or to anyone else because Elise shakily stood up on her feet.

Elise glanced at Loriel with sad eyes, tears slightly pricking them as she mouthed the word sorry and then pushed back Tessa and Julian.

Before the two of them could grab her, Elise ran away from the restaurant and into the streets.

"Hey…! Elise, wait for me!!"

Loriel immediately chased after Elise. Actually, he really wanted to stay and punch these two pests, but his main priority was Elise's wellbeing. When the maitre'd met him at the door, Loriel quickly gave him his card.

"I'll pay. Just use this card. I need to chase my date."

The maitre'd held Loriel's black card in his hand, looking very impressed. He knew exactly what type of card he was holding now. It was none other than the exclusive billionaire club members card.

Meaning, only less than 200 people in the world right now owned this card, they had to prove their net worth in billions of dollars, before they could be eligible for it.

Whaaa… he didn't expect his restaurant would be visited by one of the billionaires on that list. He was wondering who was Loriel among those high rollers. Ah, he decided to look the man up later.

Loriel was worried about Elise and wanted to make sure that she was okay. He didn't want her to be alone at a moment like this. Loriel soon found Elise in one of the alleyways of the city.

Elise was leaning on the wall and she was breathing heavily. There were tear marks on her face

"Elise, are you okay?" Loriel asked her. He was right beside her, waiting for her to say something back.

Elise didn't answer immediately and she took a moment to breathe.

Loriel simply held her shoulder. As much as he wanted to pull her into his arms, Loriel knew that she might have thought of him as a friend now, but not close enough for physical affection.

Elise finally turned to face Loriel.

The sight on her face made Loriel's heart tighten.

"I'm sorry, it's all my fault." Elise sighed and wiped her tears away. "I shouldn't have brought you here. I...I'm sorry."

Elise gazed back down at the streets. She couldn't look at him right now.

Elise felt guilty about what happened. It was supposed to be a wonderful dinner between the two of them, but somehow she was so unlucky that it was ruined by Tessa and Julian.

Loriel was quick to grab her hand. He held it tightly and Elise couldn't look at him. "It's not your fault," Loriel said.

"But it is!" Elise insisted. "They wouldn't have come there and humiliated us if I wasn't there with you. All of those people were staring at us. It must be so embarrassing for you."

"You didn't do anything wrong. You didn't do anything at all." Loriel told her.

"I'm the one that should be sorry." He continued. "I'm here for you, okay? I'm here for you."

Elise turned to look at him.

Elise had tears in her eyes. "I didn't even tell you the entire truth of who I am. Did you hear them call me Madeline? That's my real name too and yet you never questioned it at all."

"Whether it's Elise or Madeline, I don't care at all. You introduced yourself to me as Elise and that's who you are to me. I know you Elise and you're not the person that they claim you to be. I trust you." Loriel said, holding her hands.

Elise stared at their hands for a moment and then glanced at Loriel.

"Thank you," she said.

Elise had never felt so safe and so comfortable with someone as she was with Loriel. And that was the truth.

The two of them didn't say anything else and they continued to stare at each other. Elise's eyes were filled with tears and made Loriel's heart ache for her.

Loriel wanted to say that he loved her. He wanted to say it a million times. But he knew that the timing was all wrong. Loriel had to wait for the perfect moment and he knew that it would come.

Loriel had a feeling that it would come soon.

"I don't understand why they came and found me," Elise said, turning her attention back to the streets. "But... I think you deserve to know the truth."

"Don't force yourself if you're not feeling ready yet," Loriel said, albeit his heart was already filling up with anticipation. Elise was finally opening up to him.