Chapter 7
At a loss for what to say, she simply changed the subject, teasing, “You’re not going to fly over now, are you?”
After a moment of silence, Jeremiah smiled bitterly. “That was the plan.. But I just realized I’m abroad now. The last–minute business trip started. yesterday.”
Paulette parted her lips, but no words came out.
She was just joking and was surprised to know he really wanted to come over to her.
In an instant, she was overwhelmed by a kind of feeling that made her both warm and want to cry. Before she could say anything, Jeremiah continued, “One of my friends runs a massage center. I’ll text her number to you later. Go see her tomorrow, OK? With her help, you’ll recover faster.”
“No…”
www
He interrupted her, “Don’t say no to me, Paulette.
“We’re about to get married, and I’m supposed to take care of you. I feel bad enough that I’m not there for you now. You can even yell at me if that’s what you want. OK?”
This was the first time someone had cared about her so much ever since.
Patricia came back.
She sniffed and nodded.
Realizing he couldn’t see her, she said, her voice barely audible, “OK.”
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Chapter 7
The massage center was located in the city center. After stepping inside, Paulette learned that it was an exclusive establishment with a members- only reservation system. In other words, non–members couldn’t even get
- in.
The owner was Annabelle Patel, a pretty woman who was also Jeremiah’s former classmate.
After giving Paulette a waist massage, Annabelle walked her to the door personally.
“Come straight to me next time you’re here. No matter how swamped I am, I always have time for Jeremiah’s girlfriend.” Annabelle blinked, the curiosity in her eyes more than obvious. “In exchange, could you tell me more about you and Jeremiah?”
Annabelle was so curious.
Jeremiah had always been proud and aloof since he was little. She was slack–jawed when she learned he had fallen for a twenty–year–old.
After spending some time with Annabelle, Paulette had already become friends with her. She liked Annabelle very much.
She shrugged and said truthfully, “There isn’t much to tell. We just happened to find each other as compatible life partners.”
Annabelle widened her eyes, clearly not buying it.
Just as she was about to press further, a female voice filled with surprise rang out. “Paulette? It’s really you!”
Paulette and Annabelle turned around at the same time.
What came into their view was a couple standing shoulder–to–shoulder with their fingers interlaced, and their perfect height difference painted the image of an ideal match.
- 34%
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Chapter 7
Nelson looked around before his gaze fell upon Paulette. He frowned, asking, “What are you doing here?”
Before she could answer, Annabelle said with a cold snort, “I can’t believe someone’s stupid enough to ask such a question. Don’t you know where you are? People get hurt and come here for a massage to help with their recovery. Why else would they be here? To shop?”
If it were others, they would have been concerned about offending their customers, but not Annabelle. She had never been a fan of flattery.
The expressions of Nelson and Patricia changed at once.
Paulette wanted to laugh, but she couldn’t.
Nelson forgot about her injury completely and took Patricia here.
Which one of them was his beloved was obvious enough.
But perhaps this was for the best. At least it saved all three of them a lot
of trouble.
She tugged at Annabelle’s sleeve and whispered, “This is my stepdad. and… stepmom.”
Annabelle arched an eyebrow. Her eyes darted between the three, and she instantly sensed something was off.
With a smile, she said, “Gosh, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t aware you were her elders. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
Somehow, the word “elder” seemed sarcastic when Annabelle said it. Besides, she wasn’t much younger than Nelson and Patricia anyway.
Nelson’s gaze turned deep. After quite a while, he looked at Annabelle and Paulette and asked, “Ms. Patel, do you know Paulette well?”
