- Samuel read the text Remy sent him without any expression on his face.
- He had no idea what Remy was talking about.
- I’m better off without his help.
- Charles was driving as he asked, “Why didn’t you reject the offer?”
- “There’s no need for that. I like the director and the script,” came Kathleen’s answer. “But Samuel…”
- Ugh, I don’t feel like saying it.
- “Kate, have you ever considered this? If you remain single, Samuel will keep pestering you,” Charles said solemnly. “You kept a distance from Christopher, so Samuel thinks he still has a chance.”
- “Charles, I can’t really use Christopher to get rid of Samuel, can I? That isn’t fair to Christopher,” Kathleen explained.
- Charles knew that Kathleen would never compromise when it concerned her love life. She was not that particular, too.
- Forget it. I’ll have to come up with an idea to deal with Samuel.
- “Charles, can you pull up at the shopping mall ahead? I need to buy some stuff,” Kathleen said. “Don’t tag along, for I want to shop alone. Find out who the male lead is and what he is like.”
- After saying that, Kathleen unbuckled her seatbelt and got off.
- Charles could not even stop her in time.
- I shouldn’t have said that out loud. It’s obvious that Kathleen doesn’t have any romantic feelings for Christopher. He’s a great guy, but she doesn’t like him. Should I get her eyes checked?
- Meanwhile, Kathleen was shopping alone with a cap and mask covering her face.
- It was nice to be able to shop alone.
- She got herself some stuff and went to pay for her purchases at the counter.
- When it was her turn, she belatedly realized she did not bring her purse out.
- It was normal to pay using one’s phone nowadays, but she still had not gotten herself a local phone number.
- Sh*t, this is embarrassing.
- “Let me pay for your purchases.” A woman’s voice rang out behind her.
- Kathleen turned at her shoulder in surprise. “Gem!”
- Gemma shot her an exasperated look. “Why didn’t you bring your purse out?”
- “I forgot. I don’t even have a local phone number,” Kathleen replied, pouting her lips.
- “How much?” Gemma asked.
- The staff flashed a smile. “The total would be thirteen thousand and eight hundred.”
- Gemma was shocked. “What did you buy? I don’t even earn this much in a month!”
- A flush crept up Kathleen’s cheeks. “Just some personal items.”
- Gemma’s lips twitched. “You owe me a meal!”
- “Of course,” Kathleen responded.
- Meanwhile, the staff was frowning. “Are you Kathleen Johnson?” he asked.
- Kathleen could barely hide her surprise. Did he recognize me even though I’m wearing a cap and mask?
- “Hello!” She gave the staff a tiny wave.
- The staff’s lips curved. “You’re our VIP. There is ten million in your card, so you don’t have to pay for your purchases.”
- Kathleen was confused. “When did I become a VIP?”
- “A year ago,” came the staff’s reply. “Ms. Johnson, here are your purchases. Have a nice day!”
- Kathleen’s brows snapped together, but Gemma dragged her out of the store.
- “This is obviously Samuel’s doing,” Gemma told her firmly. “After you went missing a year ago, he searched high and low for you. You have no idea how many times he showed up at my house.”
- Kathleen’s frown deepened. “Did he cause you any trouble?”
- Gemma shook her head in response. “Not really. He came to ask if I knew where you were. He showed up practically every day.”
- “I’m sorry for that,” Kathleen apologized shyly.
- “That’s nothing.” Gemma gave a dismissive wave. “I told him that it’s too late to regret. After I got back to the hospital, he made arrangements for me to be the youngest head nurse in the hospital.”
- Kathleen blinked twice.
- “Don’t worry. Even if he offered me help, I won’t side with him. He wanted to make it up to me, so I accepted his help,” Gemma revealed cheerfully.
- “Mm.” Kathleen nodded before asking worriedly, “Gem, your waist…”
- “I’m still wearing my waist support. The doctor said I have to continue recuperating, for the incident only happened a year ago.” Gemma shot her a reassuring smile. “My brother also got promoted, but it wasn’t related to Samuel. He got the promotion himself.”
- “Wow, congratulations!” The corners of Kathleen’s eyes crinkled up.
- “Should we have dinner together?” Gemma glanced at her. “If Benjamin knows you’re back, he won’t work overtime.”
- Kathleen grinned. “Sure. Let’s have some fondue.”
- “Sounds great!” Gemma giggled excitedly.
- “We should head to another mall.” Kathleen sighed. “I don’t know how Samuel found out I often frequented this mall. Back then, he paid no notice to me and never remembered anything about my preferences.”
- “Okay.” Gemma bobbed her head.
- They promptly went to another shopping mall.
- The same thing happened, and Kathleen was still a VIP. She did not have to spend a cent.
- Refusing to give up, Kathleen went to a few other malls, but the same thing happened.
- In the end, she collapsed in Gemma’s Audi, utterly exhausted.
- Gemma chuckled at the sight of her fatigue look. “Where are we going next?”
- “Dinner.” Kathleen was starving.
- “No more shopping mall excursions?” Gemma asked, her lips curved into an amused smile.
- Kathleen shook her head profusely. “I won’t go to shopping malls, ever!”
- Gemma chuckled. “All right.”
- She started the engine and drove to the fondue restaurant.
- There, she gave Benjamin a call.
- After learning that they were going to have dinner with Kathleen, Benjamin immediately got off work and rushed over to the restaurant.
- Kathleen sent Charles a text: Charles, I need twenty thousand.
- Charles transferred the money to her without hesitation.
- Kathleen then transferred thirteen thousand and eight hundred to Samuel.
- Samuel sent her a question mark.
- Kathleen: I don’t want to owe you a favor.
- Actually, Samuel had been informed that Kathleen went to two shopping malls, so he could guess what her reaction would be.
- Samuel: Okay. I’ll accept the money.
- He then confirmed the transfer.
- Seeing that, Kathleen felt much better.
- Samuel: I’m famished.
- Kathleen belatedly recalled that she promised to cook for Samuel.
- Oh, dear. I forgot all about it!
- She typed out a reply hastily: I’m sorry, but I totally forgot about it.
- Inwardly, she blamed Samuel for doing something unnecessary that caused her to forget about her promise.
- Samuel: It’s fine. I’m glad you’re filling your stomach.
- Kathleen bit her lip guiltily, for it was her fault.
- Casting a hesitant look at Gemma and Benjamin, she asked, “I owe Samuel a meal. Do you mind if he joins us?”
- Both shook their heads.
- The corner of Kathleen’s mouth quirked up. “Great.”
- She proceeded to give Samuel a call.
- Samuel answered her call promptly and asked, “What’s wrong?” His voice was calm, and it did not sound like he was upset.
- “I’m sorry, but I forgot about it,” Kathleen apologized guiltily.
- “It’s fine.” Samuel gave a half-smile. “Enjoy your dinner.”
- “I’m having dinner with Gemma and Benjamin. Do you want to join us?” Kathleen inquired.
- “No, I won’t disturb you. I need to get back to work,” Samuel told her. “I told Tyson to buy dinner for me, so you don’t have to worry about me.”
- “Okay.” After a pause, Kathleen added, “I’ll cook for you tomorrow.”
- “Mm,” Samuel hummed in acknowledgment before hanging up.
- “What did he say?” Benjamin asked.
- “He won’t join us, for Tyson had bought him dinner,” Kathleen explained.
- To her surprise, Benjamin said, “I saw Tyson when I was on the way here. He was on a blind date.”
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