6I took a leave of absence a few days later and went to the shanty town in North District.As soon as I stepped into the shabby red brick building, I noticed several beer bottles scattered on the ground."Are you drinking again?" My chest appeared to have something stuck in it. I just sighed as I looked at her."Are you being rebellious right now? Do you think you have a say in what I do?" Sophia Jones, my mom, threw a wine bottle at me and injured my forehead.I endured the pain, knelt, stowed the beer bottle, and dragged her out of bed. "Have you had enough? Let's go to the hospital after you're done making a fuss."My mom would start drinking every year in May. I could tell she was missing my sister again."I'm not going. I don't have the money." My mom shook me off and went to the bathroom to wash her face.I called a car for her, stuffed her in, and took her to the hospital anyway.She looked at the bill and wanted to throw it into the trash can and leave."I have the m
10The next day, the torment was too much for me, and I wanted to ask him what he meant last night, but he had gone on another business trip.I had to go to work with dark circles under my eyes.Lucas brought me a pile of documents and asked me to sort them out before I got off work.I was sitting in front of the computer, typing and sorting things out. I was so busy that I didn't have time for lunch.I had to pick up Kayven after I got off work, and I was so hungry that I bought a piece of bread on the street and wolfed it down.Despite my haste, I was already ten minutes late when I picked up Kayven. I went to the toy shop we passed by and bought him several toys to make it up to him.Kayven stood at the school gate with a gloomy face when I arrived. I led him to the car, handed him the toys, and coaxed him.However, Andrew called. "Have you picked him up?""Yeah.""I'll be back in two days." He hesitated. "Do you have any bags that you'd like?"Bag? I was puzzled for a mo
14After I picked up Kayven and went home at night, I realized that the teacher had assigned handicraft homework.I squatted next to the coffee table and helped him do it.At the same time, he was watching cartoons leisurely.Although he had always been at odds with me, Kayven and I had stayed out of each other's way since I learned to come to terms with everything.I went to pick him up every day, and he wouldn't talk to me, and I wouldn't talk to him.When he went to buy toys and swiped his dad's card, I would help him carry them back.I did his homework because he wanted to watch cartoons.We finally found a balance that was uniquely ours.Andrew came back when I was halfway through Kayven's homework.He changed his shoes, went upstairs to change into his loungewear, and came over.I left without hesitation as soon as I saw him approach. "You can help him do it. I'm going to take a shower."He looked at me and said nothing.When I came out of the bathroom, I noticed him
17The next day at work, I wasn't in the mood to work because I had something on my mind.I started to waver again after I recalled what Andrew said and did last night.I supposed it was normal for a crush to work out like this, even though I was determined to say goodbye. I had promised not to like him for the rest of my life, but he was a little gentle to me and said something that caused me to misunderstand him, and my thoughts started to run wild again.I remembered the willow tattoo on my back and that young man again.That was when I was in elementary school. One day after school, I went to the poker center to find my mom.My mother didn't want to leave until it was very late, so I had to go home by myself with the keys.However, one of her poker friends followed me into the alley.The man wanted to touch me. I was so frightened that I bit him and ran away.I shouted when a group of students passed by the alley.Only one person came to a halt. I rushed over and threw my
20When I went to work the next day, I had just stepped onto the roadside.Usually, Andrew should have left at this time.However, a black Bentley stopped in front of me."Get in the car." He rolled down the window.I stood there and pretended not to hear him.He looked at the watch on his wrist and said in a low voice, "There's still half an hour left. It's not easy to get a taxi here. Get in the car if you don't want to be caught by Lucas for being late.""He won't." I smiled at him.The next second, I got into Lucas' car."Paulene, if you come out this late again, you'll be laid off." Lucas glared at me angrily.Yes, I was about to be late. Hence, I asked for help in the group, and Lucas circled around for more than half a mile to pick me up."Lucas, calm down. I won't be late with you here," I flattered him.His mood seemed to brighten up a lot after he heard that.There was another meeting after we arrived at the company.Andrew showed up again."What's wrong with M
23However, I saw tears roll down her hollow eyes.I was shocked.I hastily apologized after a split second, "I'm sorry. It wasn't intentional.""It's okay. That's all in the past." She sighed, wiped away her tears, and comforted me with a smile.I blamed myself even more."He went out to play with Andrew in America and was involved in a car accident. Andrew jumped out of the vehicle before it fell off the cliff, but he didn't have enough time, so..." She started sobbing again."I'm sorry." I didn't know how to comfort the old lady, so I reached out and held her shoulder."It's truly okay. I'm okay. Look at this old woman. I seemed to have scared you." Queenie continued after she had calmed down, "Andrew has always blamed himself, believing that he murdered my son. To compensate us, he insisted on returning from America to work here. My son's girlfriend was pregnant at the time, and she ultimately decided she didn't want the child. It was Andrew who asked her to give birth to h
26I thought of my mom. Every year in May, that stupid woman was tormented by her longing and memories of Jodie's birthday, and her precious daughter, whom she missed, didn't recognize her at all. It was really ironic."Get out," Andrew said in a low voice, suppressing his rage."Andrew, you—""I don't want to repeat myself."Jodie stomped her feet angrily and ran out crying.Later that night, Kayven was taken away.I still couldn't get over it when I heard the news.I felt sorry for Kayven, but I also assumed that there was no single mom who would treat her child poorly. Perhaps my concern was unnecessary.However, I couldn't sleep at night, so I went downstairs to the kitchen to drink water.I was shocked when I saw someone sitting on the couch. It was Andrew.He sat in silence, did not change his clothes, and did not turn on the lights.He looked extremely lonely because he was shrouded in darkness."Why haven't you slept?" He saw me and spoke first."I can't sleep." I
29I was not in the mood to go to our department's dinner party."You seem down. It's obvious that you've got your heart broken." Lucas shook his head. "Were you dumped?""Mm... Sort of...""Who the hell dares to dump my subordinate?" Lucas jumped up in disbelief."Didn't you say I was useless?""My subordinate, no matter how useless you are, you are still 100 times better than the women outside!"I was rendered speechless.Perhaps I should thank him for comforting me."Don't be sad. Let's go drinking tonight. Whichever guy you take a fancy on, I'll help you get him drunk!" Lucas dragged me along."Huh? T-That's inappropriate, isn't it?""If he's not drunk, you won't have a chance." Lucas had a bunch of tricks up his sleeves.In the end, I had no choice but to be dragged away by him."Lucas, why don't you invite Mr. Yakley?" our colleagues reminded him."You guys go ahead first. I'll go invite him now."Usually, everyone would politely invite Andrew to the dinner party,
21As soon as I walked to the stairs, I met Charley, who was holding two cups of coffee.What a coincidence!"Joy." As soon as I turned around, he stopped me."Hi." I had to stop and say hello to him.He walked upstairs, trying to hide the coffee in his hand.The coffee should be for Jane Lynch.Thinking of that, I was amused.I used to buy coffee for him."Aren't you going to study at the library? Why did you leave?" he asked in a tone as gentle as ever.I lowered my head in embarrassment and said, "Well, I have something to do. I gotta go now.""Okay." He stepped aside to make way for me."Goodbye," I said and walked downstairs without looking back.When I was about to turn the corner, a voice suddenly came from behind me. "Are we... still best friends?"I stood rooted to the spot.I had mixed feelings."..." I didn't reply and left directly.Were we still best friends?I was just having a lot of thoughts.In the past three years, I had been hanging out with Charle
17When I grew more and more nervous, I finally arrived at college.I got out of the cab and watched him walk over. I became even more nervous.Would he kiss me again?Would he be upset if I reject him?I was completely new to that, while he was too overwhelming. I was scared when I thought of the coming kiss.But I was his girlfriend. I couldn't say no to his request, could I?After thinking for a while, when he was approaching, I was so scared that I closed my eyes.I waited for a few seconds, but the thing didn't turn out to be as I had imagined it. I slightly opened my eyes.I looked up and saw him looking at me playfully."Were you thinking about it in the cab?" he asked me with a smile."Huh? No." I quickly returned to normal."Then, excuse me..." He pointed to the road nearby.Huh???So, was I in his way?I had thought that he was going to kiss me, but...It was such an embarrassing situation for me."Okay." I quickly stepped aside to make way for him.He put h
14"Enough?" I didn't come back to my senses until I heard his sexy voice."Enough." I swallowed hard."Liar..." He stared at me, then lowered his head and kissed me.Help!My nerves, which had just relaxed, were on edge again in an instant.After a few seconds, he finally let go of me.He stared at me, then looked down, unzipped my bag, groped for my cotton pad for few seconds, took it out, and wiped his lips himself.After wiping, he stuffed it into my hand and turned to leave.Did he heave?Bad boy.My heart was still beating fast.The place was already buzzing with people. I didn't dare to look around."Are you not leaving?" He walked a few steps and found that I didn't keep up with him. He turned to look at me helplessly.He probably thought that I was a troublemaker."Yes." If I didn't leave now, there would be more people watching me.I hurried along after him.He didn't hold my hand, nor did he especially wait for me. Instead, he walked side by side with his bu
11After that, my hands had been trembling while playing poker. His words kept echoing in my mind: "Can I eat you?"After two more games, I could barely keep my eyes open.After losing all my chips, I stretched lazily as if I had accomplished something important."Can... can we stop here?" I asked in a low voice."Keep going.""I'm sleepy."Looking at them in high spirits, I was speechless."Sleepy?" A boy looked at me and then at Julian. He was about to say something but swallowed the words."Okay, okay..."The boys immediately understood and stood up.Huh???They must get the wrong idea."No... you get the wrong idea.""We see, we see..."I felt so depressed and helpless.I looked back and found Julian still as calm as ever. He was not going to make it clear at all."So, get lost now!""Okay, okay, okay. You're really hoes before bros, huh?" The boys had rushed out before they could take their coats."When will you pay us?" one of the boys asked desperately."When
7Five minutes later, I walked out of the room with Julian, clutching a blood-stained T-shirt. Seeing that, his friends were all stunned.But the next second, they looked at each other and smiled."Julian, you... come on too strong, don't you?""Yeah, too short to change clothes.""Spend less time on basketball. That will wear you out...."...I stood there awkwardly."Get lost. Cut the crap." Julian hit them with the basketball.He was so aggressive that I was too scared to make a sound.When he was leaving, I remembered the reason why I came here.I hurried up to him. "Julian."The gang of people stopped. Julian did not even turn his head as he impatiently asked, "What's the matter?""Yesterday, I... You... It was just a misunderstanding. I'm sorry that you broke up with your girlfriend..." I recited the draft of my apology.Before I finished reciting it, he turned his head slightly and said, "Broke up? With who?""I don't know. Maybe the one you met in the bar?" One o
Author: Xian De Wu Liao De Xian Nü I went to watch the basketball game with the boy I had a crush on.When we appeared on the monitor above, he refused to kiss me.On impulse, I turned around and kissed the bully in my college next to me.The bully's girlfriend broke up with him for this. And he asked me to get him a new girlfriend as compensation."May I?" I asked with trembling lips.Julian Joule glanced at me and smiled, "Good, but I'd love to make love to you as well."What???1Everyone knew that I had a crush on Charley Johnson.Except for Charley himself.On the day of the basketball game, the camera focused solely on Charley and me.At that moment, my mind went blank.According to the rules, the two people appearing on the large screen had to kiss each other.All the spectators present encouraged us to kiss each other."Kiss!""Kiss!"...I lowered my head, too shy to look at him.I imagined the wonderful moment when he kissed me.I imagined that my unreq
23As soon as I went out, I was stunned.There was a Rolls-Royce parked at the door. I saw the car's plate number. If I remember correctly, it belonged to my father, Giovanni.Ten minutes later, Samuel invited Giovanni to the back room and gave him a cup of coffee.Giovanni sat opposite me and whispered, "Soph, come here."I looked at Samuel, who was staring at me and didn't want me to go there.I had no choice but to sit still.Giovanni didn't panic, as if he had expected it. He waved his hand and the bodyguard behind him took out a suitcase and put it on the table.Then, Giovanni reached out and pushed the suitcase over."Here's 1.5 million dollars. Now give me my daughter back."Samuel didn't say anything. He glanced at me, took the suitcase, opened it, and glanced at it."There's no need to talk about money," Samuel said in a soft tone."What? Is it not enough? Don't go too far!" Giovanni got angry all of a sudden."Dad..." I whispered to my father."Soph, you don't h
21In the days that followed, I lived a full and purposeful life.It seemed that I suddenly found the path that I would be going in life. I must enter a university and become a better person, then I could ask him if we could be together.However, my foundation was very bad.I worked very hard to get into university.I didn't even have time to think about whether I was stupid or suitable for academics.I completely drowned myself in practice questions.Every night, my mind was full of test questions, and I didn't even have time to think about Samuel.At first, I went home once a week. Near the end of the university entrance exam, Samuel thought that it would be too tiring for me to come back and forth and too much time would be wasted. Hence, he came to the county to visit me every week.Sometimes he brought Fatso and the others, and sometimes he was alone.He always said that he would pass by my school to do some errands, so he stopped by along the way to visit me.I wondere
19When I went back at night, I was surprised to see that Samuel had learned how to cook.In the past, he would either order a takeaway or heat a dollar-slice frozen pizza. It was his subordinates who sometimes cooked nice meals.He made my favorite food, which was meatloaf and fried chicken."Mr. Carter, when did you learn to cook?""It's not that difficult.""If it's easy, then why haven't you learned it in the past 31 years?""It's not that I didn't learn it. It was unnecessary.""Is it necessary now?" I asked him with a smile.He looked at me and said, "Hmm... It doesn't seem necessary."I hugged him from behind and said, "Of course it's necessary. You made all my favorite food, so that means you've waited for me to come back to eat."He grabbed a fork and pointed it at me. "Let go of me. Who said that they were for you?"I held his waist. "No, I won't. My heart told me.""If you don't let me go, believe me or not, I'll—""Will you hit me?" I looked at him with a smil