Chapter 581
Silvia said happily, “Aria, we’re getting off work an hour early. Can I tag along with you later?
“I just got paid! Dinner’s on me!
“Let’s invite Owen too.”
Silvia was quiet by nature and rarely spoke up at work.
Yet now, to everyone’s surprise, those present could hear a hint of coyness in her voice.
Johnny crossed his arms, looking utterly shocked.
Not shocked at Silvia’s coyness, but that it was directed at Aria.
When did those two get so close?’ he wondered.
Aria glanced at Silvia and said, “Isn’t today Uncle Luke’s birthday?”
Aria remembered Luke’s birthday because it happened to coincide with her first days back at the Saxon family.
Silvia smiled and said, “No big deal-birthdays come every year, but this is my first time treating you all to dinner.”
Johnny couldn’t help thinking, ‘Birthdays do come every year, but she could treat us to dinner more often than what’s like never, right? What’s wrong with Silvia?”
Johnny couldn’t help thinking Silvia was out of her mind.
Silvia looked at Aria with an expectant look. “Should I call Caleb and see if he’d like to come along?”
Aria nodded. “Sure, it’s up to you.”
Silvia beamed. “I’ll just send a message in the group chat and see if everyone can make it!”
Derek created a group chat, and it kept growing as more people joined.
Johnny walked over and demanded, “What group chat?”
Aria replied casually, “Just a regular one.”
“Hey, let me in too,” Johnny said.
“Sure.” With that, Aria sent him the invitation.
Johnny entered and saw that Vanessa and Cloe were in the group chat. He protested, “This is outrageous! You all joined it but didn’t invite me!”
Even Silvia had made it in, yet somehow he was the only one excluded.
Honestly, Johnny hadn’t even crossed anyone’s mind.
Aria changed the subject. “I’m going to swing by the project center, Go ahead and get off work.”
In the group chat, Silvia had already posted the dinner invite.
Cloe replied: [No need to book a restaurant. Just come to Amour Bistro-my treat!]
Silvia: [Come on, we agreed it’s my treat!]
Cloe: [Then you take care of the groceries, and let’s have a rooftop party at Amour Bistro!]
Derek chimed in: [Count me in!]
After reading the messages, Johnny put away his phone. “Count me in. The three of us will head over together later.”
After two months at work, Silvia had gotten used to the grueling daily grind.
But whenever she faced her boss, Johnny, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy, her expression betraying a hint of inner conflict.
Johnny planted his hands on his hips. “Silvia, what’s with that look? I’m the one signing your paycheck. Without me, you wouldn’t even have money to treat everyone to dinner. So can I join you or what?”
Silvia, too intimidated to speak up, murmured, “Okay.”
Johnny turned to Aria and announced with a smug grin, “She said yes.”
Aria shot him a look. “Stop picking on the girl and lead the way.”
“Alright then,” he replied.
Silvia said softly, “I’ll wait for you here.”
Johnny shot her a look. “You’re coming with us. We’ll all leave together once Aria finishes up.”
Silvia nodded. “Alright.”
The trio departed, leaving the remaining staff exchanging bewildered glances where they stood.
Tilda stared longingly at the doorway, her eyes filled with envy.
She wished she could go too.
*****
The rooftop party was a last-minute decision. Vanessa was out of town, so she couldn’t make it.
As everyone lugged bags of groceries upstairs, they found the rooftop already decked out for a party.
Grills, woks, hot pot setups, all kinds of cooking gear-even a full bartending kit-everything was ready to go.
Everyone bought their own ingredients-just whatever caught their fancy.
It was supposed to be Silvia’s treat, but in the end, everyone ended up chipping in.
“Aria!” Julia rushed over and hugged Aria’s legs. “I missed you so much!”
Aria bent down and scooped her up, smiling. “I missed you too, sweetheart. I got your favorite shrimp today. Let’s have Owen cook them for you.”
Owen put down the ingredients and smiled. “Julia, I will make whatever your heart desires.”
Kim sauntered over casually. “Julia,” he said, “I can cook too.”
“Your cooking is yucky! I want Owen to make it for me!” said Julia.
Kim felt helpless.
Julia nestled against Aria’s shoulder and met Silvia’s gaze.
