pter 239
I stopped in my tracks and turned to look at Neil.
Neil glanced at me, and our gazes were a bit odd.
“We’re not together,” I was the first to explain.
The receptionist looked surprised, then apologized. “Im sorry, I thought you guys were a couple because your clothes look like they match, so…”
I looked down at my outfit, then at Neil’s. They were indeed black and white, looking like a matching couple set.
Neil laughed it off, “No worries, I also think our clothes match pretty well”
The receptionist blushed at Neil’s smile and nodded apologetically. “Thank you for your understanding!”
I kept quiet until Neil finished booking a room. Then I booked another one and went to rest.
Neil’s room was across from mine. As I was opening my door, he reminded me, “Remember to pick me up when you go to Lucas’ house tomorrow. My
car is still there”
“Can’t you call a cab yourself?” I asked, annoyed.
1 can save money by riding with you,” he replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world, as if he were an extremely frugal person.
I slammed the door shut, not wanting to deal with him anymore.
I didn’t sleep well that night. I was restless and had nightmares. I woke up several times in a cold sweat.
By the wee hours, I couldn’t fall back asleep. I decided to leave early to avoid Neil and head to Lucas’s house.
However, to my surprise, Neil was already waiting for me at my door when I opened it.
He had on only a black sweater, holding his coat in his hand
“I knew you’d wake up early. I just didn’t expect it to be this early,” Neil said, a hint of disappointment in his eyes, “You’re avoiding me like the plague.”
“You’re overthinking. I just couldn’t sleep, so I left early” I said helplessly, “Aren’t you also putting in a lot of effort just to hitch a ride?”
Neil admitted without hesitation, “Absolutely, we can go now.”
I didn’t know if I just hadn’t known Neil well enough before or if he d changed. But he was becoming more and more shameless.
I gave him the cold shoulder and headed straight for the elevator, with Neil following me like a shadow.
What made it awkward was that the receptionist hadn’t changed shifts yet. Seeing Neil and me together, the receptionist had a look that was hard to describe
We had said we didn’t know each other and that we weren’t together, yet we checked in together and then, we were checking out together.
It wasn’t until we left the hotel that I felt the receptionist’s gaze disappear.
I asked, “Where’s your car?” As we neared Lucas’ house, I noticed Neil’s car was missing.
Neil got out of the car, looked at where he parked yesterday, and acted surprised, “I forgot I had someone refuel it and drive it away last night. Can you give me a ride later?”
I was utterly baffled and felt incredibly irritated by that guy.
Neil reclined the passenger seat and comfortably laid down, “I haven’t slept enough. You go see Lucas; I’ll take a nap in the car and wart for you.”
“Neil, you’re being too much. I’m really busy right now, and you’re wasting my time Seeing Neil’s nonchalant attitude pissed me off.
“I won’t stop you from doing whatever, nor will I waste your time. Just pretend I don’t exist.” Neil said calmly, comfortably laying in the passenger seat, even putting on sunglasses to block the sunlight.
He looked like a star on vacation, with perfect looks and mannerisms.
I wanted to kick him out of the car right away, but my phone rang. It was an emergency call from my assistant.
“Ms. Finch, some shareholders want to sell their shares!”
That scared me into a cold sweat. The company was in a critical situation. If more people started to sell their shares, the company might go bankrupt.
“Why are they selling?” I forced myself to stay calm
“They say the company has absolutely no future and want to sell!’ My assistant was just as anxious.
I held my forehead, and my temples started to throb. I was extremely irritated, but I had to act like everything was fine, Tell them the company won’t go under. We’ll talk about the rest when I get back.”
After hanging up, my mood reached a new low. I didn’t have the energy to argue with Nell over trivial matters, so I went to Lucas’s house alone.
Neil stayed in the car and didn’t accompany me.
-The door opened after a while, and my aunt, Emily, was the one who opened it. Her face turned unpleasant when she saw me, “Why are you here again?
Didn’t we tell you yesterday we didn’t want to deal with your family’s problems?’
“Emily, can we talk again?” I tried to make myself look humble by asking Emily
Emily was merciless, “No, we won’t. How did your mom treat us back then? When she sided with outsiders, didn’t she think of this day?”
I felt bitter. My father had dealt with Lucas’ company strictly due to his principles. Although it was legally sound, it did ruin our relationship.
That incident had almost caused Lucas’ company to go bankrupt. Later, he started over elsewhere and worked his way up to where he was,
You could say Lucas’s family harbored deep resentment for my father. They thought he was too rigid and didn’t leave any room for familial love.
“Emily, my dad had no choice back then. Lucas’ violations were too severe. He felt guilty and uneasy about it. He’s wanted to apologize to you guys those years, but you’ve been avoiding him.” I clenched my fists, pleading in a low voice.
But Emily wasn’t convinced. Her attitude was very cold, even a bit hostile. Your mom isn’t part of our family anymore after she married. She, you, and your dad are a family. Don’t come to us for help. I’m annoyed just seeing you!”
Then she pushed me and slammed the door shut.
I almost fell but managed to steady myself. That’s when I noticed Neil standing behind me.
He must have seen how Emily treated me. I had never been so humiliated in my life.
Neil’s gaze was deep, like a bottomless lake. He stared at me, his brow furrowing in his usual manner, “Are you really okay with being bullied like this and not asking me for help?”
“No!” I was so bummed out that I kind of lost my temper. I pushed Neil away. “There’s no way I’m asking for your help: you can save your breath!”
Stella Wallace and the gang had all given me a heads-up. It was fine to ask Neil for help, but if I accepted his help, who knew how others might take it?
