Chapter 20 My Treat
After Charlotte returned to school, it rained heavily. Charlotte sat by the window and watched the downpour outside, feeling her heart as heavy as the rain.
Strangely, she left the clothes Malcolm bought in her dorm instead of taking them back home.
The washed white lingerie hung damply on the balcony, fluttering in the wind
Meanwhile, Malcolm pulled over under a roadside tree during his drive back from the hospital.
The rain poured down. With all the car windows shut, Malcolm sat in the car and smoked a cigarette. The thick smoke swirled around his expressionless face.
He somehow recalled the scene last night, when the girl clung to his shoulders and wrapped his neck, soft kitten–like whimpers escaping
her throat.
The rain amplified every sensory memory. Malcolm took a few fierce. drags and stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray.
He seemed to be trapped by the heavy rain.
Charlotte sat by the window thinking for a long time before taking her mobile phone to send a message, “Thank you.”
After sending it, her heart was pounding. She pressed her lips tightly
Chapter 20 My Treat
and fell into silence.
The heavy rain lasted until late at night, drizzling to a stop only by the next morning.
In the morning. Malcolm replied curtly, “Don’t mention it.”
Charlotte thought for a while and sent another message. “Mal, I’d like to treat you to dinner to thank you for helping Humberto.”
After sending this, she felt uneasy.
Malcolm replied in the afternoon, “Let’s meet in the evening. I’ll pick you up.”
Charlotte’s heart raced like a rollercoaster reaching its peak before the plunge.
She quickly texted back, “Okay.”
At 6 pm sharp, Malcolm arrived at the school gate. He was driving a different car, whose brand she failed to recognize.
Settling into the passenger seat, she softly asked, “What do you like to
She wrinkled her nose slightly at the faint cigarette smell in the car.
Malcolm rolled down the car window to let the cigarette smoke clear. He looked at Charlotte and found that she wore the white dress he’d
bought her that day.
The color suited her, making her look pure and innocent.
Charlotte sensed his gaze and looked at him.
Chapter 20 My Tre
Their eyes met for a fleeting moment. Malcolm looked away first and said. “Are you sure to treat me?”
Charlotte nodded earnestly. She wanted to give the money back to him but kept this unsaid.
“Where shall we go?”
Charlotte hesitated. She couldn’t afford anything expensive, yet cheap places were beneath his status. She was in a dilemma.
Malcolm directly stopped her inner struggle and said indifferently, “Ill choose the place.”
As he spoke, he started the engine and drove away.
Judging from his tone, Charlotte prepared herself to spend a lot on the dinner. She didn’t care where he took her. The cool breeze carried post- rain freshness, and she found it soothing.
After driving for thirty minutes, they entered a private courtyard. Charlotte didn’t know where she was. The car drove directly inside, and Malcolm got out of the car first.
Glancing at the gate, Charlotte knew this place was pricey. She got out of the car slowly and hesitated.
Malcolm took a glance at her and said, “What, regret it?”
“No. I’m thinking if I brought enough cash.”
Malcolm said, “Aren’t you going to thank me for helping Humberto? What half–hearted gratitude.”
Charlotte’s mind went blank. She gritted her teeth without saying at
word
Malcolm looked away from her and headed straight inside. Charlotte followed him and vaguely sensed he was colder than usual today, wondering if it was her imagination.
Dismissing her doubts, she followed him into the restaurant.
Two uniformed waiters approached, greeting them, “How many in your party?”
“Two.” Malcolm replied.
The waiters led them through a courtyard. Upon entering a private room, Malcolm naturally took a seat while Charlotte stood awkwardly.
Scated, Malcolm looked at her and said, “What’s wrong? Afraid to sit down?”
The two waiters looked at her, and Charlotte quickly sat across from Malcolm.
After Charlotte sat down, Malcolm handed her the menu. She took it and glanced at the prices. Just one look made her dizzy.
So expensive!
“Anything you wanna eat?”
Malcolm looked at her and whispered.
Charlotte immediately shook her head and handed back the menu. “You order. My treat ”
Nodding, Malcolm flipped through the menu and began to order the
”
dishes without looking up. “Lobster Thermidor, Foie Gras, Caviar, Bluefin Tuna Belly, Alba White Truffle Pasta…”
He seemed ready to continue.
Charlotte said awkwardly, “There are just two of us. Wouldn’t ordering
so much be wasteful?”
