Chapter: 84

"Kaitlin, we're out of coffee."

Surprised, Kaitlin raised an eyebrow. "Really? I just filled the jar a few days ago. You've gone through it already?"

Remembering the effort she had put into grinding those beans until her hands were sore, she was incredulous.

"ALL gone. I'm useless without my caffeine fix. You owe me," Quintin declared, half-joking but clearly expecting some form of reparation.

Kaitlin exhaled deeply. It seemed like everyone had been on edge, with Quintin throwing what felt Like a childish fit.

"So, what do you want for compensation?" she asked, half-amused.

"Dinner out," Quintin shot back. "That new hotspot downtown. It's always buzzing."

Kaitlin frowned slightly. “Really? Aren't you worried about the paparazzi?"

Quintin waved off her concern. "I've booked us a table. Are you in, or should I cancel?"

"It's just dinner," Kaitlin conceded, her stomach rumbling in agreement. “Alright, let's go.”

Kaitlin was feeling hungry, and getting out of the office seemed far more appealing than lingering around and stewing over the absurd headlines any longer.

They arrived at the restaurant, and Quintin immediately made his presence known, his voice booming unnaturally loud. “Why not sit on the first floor? It's more vibrant."

He then gestured to a waiter. "Could we swap our booth for that table by the window? I'll take care of their tab," he declared, slipping the waiter a generous tip.

This spectacle left Kaitlin bewildered and drew the eyes of nearby diners.

Quintin leaned in, his tone serious. "With all these ruthless journalists around, you might want to steer clear of the spotlight for a while."

Kaitlin realized Quintin's dramatics were more than just about dinner; he was staging a scene to counteract the rumors. Yet, this felt like merely swapping one set of problems for another.

The waiter promptly rearranged the tables, positioning Kaitlin and Quintin prominently on the first floor, easily observable by the entire restaurant. Nearby patrons threw curious glances, some even discreetly capturing photos.

Feeling slightly uneasy, Kaitlin averted her face. “Quintin, was all this showmanship really necessary?" she questioned, her voice tinged with frustration.

Quintin exhaled sharply. “Would you prefer the public pairing you with Alan instead? We're a better match for the cameras, at least."

His past as a celebrity had honed his skills in managing public perception.

Kaitlin was amused. “Don't you think you're overdoing it? What if a future girlfriend stumbles upon these ‘scandals' of ours? She might not be thrilled."

With a casual shrug, Quintin replied, "I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. Finding a girlfriend isn't on my radar right now."

As Kaitlin mulled over his words, she began to see the merit in his tactic. It was unconventional, sure, but it diverted the unwanted attention away from her forced involvement with Yvette's and Hewitt Group's affairs.

Their meal progressed smoothly, surrounded by an air of normalcy, and the media began reshaping the narrative.