Chapter 19: I Give Myself A Chance

In the days that followed, the relationship between me and Brian was gentle. He no longer made fun of me or mocked me. The way he talked to me was so gentle.

Sometimes, I feel like we're both dating and we're a perfect match.

Maybe because I cursed him so hard that day, he already knew how to be a human.

My stomach is also less painful and my mood is good so I can eat more. However, I still did not dare to touch the chili because of Brian's sharp eyes.

He originally liked spicy food, but since the day he took me to the doctor, he changed his taste and told me not to add pepper and chili to the dishes.

When his mother asked about it, he said that his body had changed and he didn't like them.

“Next week is Hellen's birthday. She's not going back to America, so she'll have a party here. Her acquaintances here are also not many, so you and I should try to arrange work to congratulate her lest she be sad. I have recommended Li Bai restaurant to her.” Mrs. Alina said before holding chopsticks.

Hearing Hellen's name, I felt my mood drop. Why do I have the idea of fighting for Brian and Mrs. Alina with her?

She is definitely the daughter-in-law that is implicitly defaulted to by the mistress.

In the past, no matter who Brian was acquainted with, she didn't care, didn't ask. Only Hellen is the person she cares about.

“I already know.”

Brian's answer once again made my mind flutter like a boat that lost its anchor and rushed straight to the sea.

Didn't I originally hate him? Why do I suddenly have this feeling? This feeling is like slapping myself in the face, both painful and embarrassing.

After dinner, Mrs. Alina went to the living room to watch TV, and Brian went to the study room to work.

Today, he said he only worked until nine o'clock at night, so I didn't need to prepare late-night food for him.

After cleaning things up and waiting for the mistress to come back to her room, I turned off the light, crawled into my room, and covered myself with a warm blanket.

When I was about to fall asleep, the message tone rang. But because I'm lazy, I don't want to watch it, thinking it was a promotional message sent by the switchboard.

However, after only a few minutes, the incoming call forced me to get out of the blankets.

“Richard?”

Since the meeting at the restaurant, Richard has not called or texted me anymore.

I thought that because he saw me having a meal with the president of Sunshine Bank, he had a different thought. I didn't expect him to contact me today.

After thinking for a few seconds, I took a deep breath and picked up the phone, but didn't say anything.

“Bella, are you listening?” Richard's voice is as gentle as the wind that lulls through my ears.

“Yes, I'm listening. What's the matter?” I quickly spoke up.

“Would you like to have lunch with me tomorrow? I want to give you a present. We met that day, but I didn't bring it with me.”

“Yes.”

“Then I'll come and pick you up tomorrow. About ten-thirty noon.”

“Yes.”

The two “yes” that came out of my mouth made an appointment for tomorrow.

Honestly, I wasn't in the mood to eat or go out, but Richard bought me a present, so I couldn't refuse him.

Right, why should I stay at home? Why should I be sad for the man I once hated?

Brian can come to Hellen's birthday party and he can even date her every day, so why should I sit in my room and listen to information about their love?

I would go out and, if possible, I would date a guy with full limbs, eyes, nose, and mouth.

The night passed, and the day came. I still do my work as usual. And when I saw that it was almost time for the appointment, I immediately showered, put on makeup, put on a light blue dress, and put on a light blue long coat.

This is my style, light but not faded by the handbag and bright red lips that make the whole stand out.

I was afraid that if I wore a red dress, the traffic would stop because they thought I was a traffic light.

“This is called radiant beauty without dazzling.”

I kissed my reflection in the mirror lightly, then put on my high heels, quickly left the villa, and went straight to the street.

Richard arrived earlier than I expected. It's not even ten-thirty, but his car is already parked at the rendezvous point. I even thought I would have to wait for him for about five or ten minutes.

Perhaps he saw me from afar, so he opened the car door and stepped out, waving his hand.

My dream since I was in high school until now has come true. The guy who was once my dream took the initiative to ask me out to eat, give me gifts, drive to pick me up and wave to me.

If Richard really liked me and confessed to me, maybe I would consider it because right now, he is a perfect choice for a precarious girl like me.

“Have you been here long?” I raised my hand to brush a few strands of hair from my face and asked.

“I just arrived. Get in the car, baby.”

He carefully opened the car door, put his hand over my head for me to sit in, and walked over to the driver's seat.

The car sped on the road, going straight to district one.

I don't understand how rich guys spend their money. They just want to have lunch, they can eat anywhere, why do they have to come here and go to a restaurant that serves expensive food?

They don't have a place to keep the money, right? Do they need me to help them spend their money?

“Li Bai?” I suddenly exclaimed when I saw the name of the restaurant.

“Right. Have you ever been here?” Richard nodded and asked gently.

“No, I haven't been here yet. Because I find the name of the restaurant a bit strange.” I answered.

“The food here is very tasty. Please eat a lot.” He smiled.

I nodded and smiled. My mistress mentioned this place this morning. Maybe Hellen will have a birthday party here.

Why is it that everything that happens to me and the places I go to is related to them?

Never mind, everything is just a coincidence because this place is beautiful and serves delicious food that makes gourmets want to come.

After pulling out a chair for me to sit on, Richard walked over to the opposite side and also sat down.

We both took the menu and ordered our food. The process of ordering food is quick, simply because I like every dish I see, so I choose a few dishes that are enough to fill my stomach.

When the waitress left, I noticed that Richard's face was not good. Is it true that at the end of the year, the face of every business leader is the same? Alina's face and Brian's face are similar to Richard's.

“Are you unwell? I see you are a little tired.” I ventured to speak up because I noticed his eyes were glued to my face.

“Ah, maybe it's because I stay up late for many nights.” Richard woke up, smiled slightly, and replied.

“Is your job not good?”

“No, I'm like that because work is going well.”

I stared blankly at Richard because I couldn't understand what he was saying. So when work is not favorable, does he not stay up late? Will his face brighten when his work stagnates?

It seems that Richard guessed the question in my heart, so he smiled and gently explained that because his company is expanding its production and business scale to medical products such as masks, surgical gloves, antibiotic cork, neoprene infusion bottles, and catheters, so he and his colleagues had to work through the night.

The more I hear him speak, the more I admire him. That's right, Richard is good, he studies well, plays basketball well, runs well, plays football well, and now, he is very good at business and good at making money.

Why is he only two years older than me and he's so good? And I couldn't do anything good.

Thinking about it makes me feel sad.

“Bella, are you and Sunshine Bank's president friends? How long have you known him?” Richard suddenly asked.

“Ah, actually… actually, I work as a maid for Brian's family. Almost three years now.” I answered honestly.

“So it turns out. But… are you going to keep doing that job forever? Are you going to work as a maid until you get old?”

Richard's question made me almost spit a mouthful of water in his face. Will I work as a maid until I am old? Maybe I'm about to be kicked out of that luxury place by Hellen after she marries Brian.

But if that happens, it's fine, at least I'm not the one in breach of the contract.

Mrs. Alina also can't force me to compensate, maybe she has to give me more money so that I don't stick to their house but fly as far as possible to please her daughter-in-law.

“I… no… ah, I mean ten years. I signed a contract to sell my body, no… a contract to be a maid for ten years.”

“What? Is there such a contract?” Richard's eyes widened, showing surprise.

“Yes. I get the money first and have to work for ten years. One hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. One hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars.”

I saw his lips curl up as if he was about to say something, but then the presence of the waitress silenced him.

I don't know what he is thinking about me. Is he like Brian, thinking that I love money so I sell my body?

If anyone asked me now, I'd say I'm a big fan of money. Without money, I can't do anything, I can't take care of anyone.

Entrepreneurs like Brian are also selling their lives for money. They work hard, forget to eat, forget to sleep, how are they different from me? However, their way of selling their lives is more advanced than mine.