"You're not imposing. When we went to Wiltspoon last time, you put your work aside and spent the entire day accompanying us. Now that you're in Clearfield, we're your hosts. Of course we should take good care of you.
"How many days will you be staying this time? Will you head back as soon as you finish work, or are you staying a little longer?" Everly enquired.
If Sonny stayed for a few extra days, she could properly show him around as his host. She could take him to try some authentic local cuisine and visit some of the attractions.
Sonny said, "I'll be here for a week. If I finish everything ahead of schedule, I might have another two days to look around. Otherwise, I'll have to head back as soon as I'm done with work.
"My other company needs me there to oversee things. My business partner has some other matters to take care of."
Everly sounded disappointed. “Just a week? If you squeeze your schedule a bit, you should be able to find a day or two. I can show you around. I told you, if you come to Clearfield, I'll make sure you're properly entertained and play my part as your host.
"Where's your other company? Will you need to be there for long?"
"Yes, it's quite far away. It's Longtail Group."
Everly hummed, then continued, "Longtail Group? I've heard of it. Apparently, it only took them a few years to catch up with the leading corporation in the city.
"But I heard the owner of Longtail Group is extremely mysterious. He doesn't like showing his real face and supposedly wears a mask every day. I heard he even wears a lifelike mask underneath it, so even if someone managed to pull off his outer mask, they still wouldn't see his real face.
"So you're the owner of Longtail Group."
Everly tilted her head at Sonny and smiled. "I think I understand why you'd wear a mask and don't like showing your face. You're simply too handsome, Mr. Brown."
Sonny laughed as well. “You flatter me, Ms. Flemming, but the mysterious owner everyone talks about isn't me. It's my close friend and business partner. Because of some grievances, it isn't safe for him to reveal his identity too early. That's why he wears two masks."
"He has enemies?" Everly asked curiously.
Sonny smiled. "You're very smart."
Intrigued as Everly was, she refrained from pressing further. They were not close enough for her to pry. They were just business partners who met once in Wiltspoon and spent two days together.
No matter how curious she was, she could not keep questioning him.
Sonny did not elaborate either.
Although Laurence had revealed his identity publicly, Sonny still could not discuss his personal affairs without his permission.
"Mr. Brown, my car is over there."
They reached the parking lot, and Everly led Sonny to her car.
When they arrived, Sarah unlocked it and opened the door. She then took the suitcase from Sonny and placed it in the trunk.
Sarah drove.
Everly and Sonny sat in the back so they could talk more easily.
Sonny called his father to let him know that he had arrived in Clearfield.
Hank had been worried about him and specifically reminded him to call as soon as he arrived.
After Sonny ended the call, Everly
said, "I reserved a private dining room at Clearfield Hotel. My grandfather will be joining us sh We can go straight there and have lunch.
"When he heard you were personally coming to handle the project, he gave me a thousand instructions to make sure I treated you properly. He wants you to stay at our house. He really likes you. Ever since he came. back last time, he's been singing your praises."
Everly knew what her grandfather was trying to do. He wanted to set her up with Sonny.
The two of them were not familiar yet, but her grandfather was already planning their future. Whenever Kaden met a young man, he could not help himself from imagining the man as his future grandson-in-law.*
Sometimes, Everly wanted to disappear into a hole in the ground. She could not stand his constant pressure to get married.