She knew Sebastian was bribing her. But since it was his credit card, she would succumb this time.“Rose,” Yvonne said meekly, “why don’t you stay here and chat with Seb? I’ll take a stroll downstairs. I’ll come back for you in a while.”“But I…”“Rose,” Yvonne whispered into her ear, “he looks quite anxious, and is probably worried that you’re angry at him. Just stay and chat with him, all right?”With that, Yvonne released Rosalie’s hand and grabbed Sebastian’s card before making a run for the door. She slammed the door shut, not giving Rosalie a chance to reject her.“You…”Rosalie was rendered speechless at the “bribe” that just took place under her nose.Sebastian strode forward, and stopped right in front of her.Left with no way out, Rosalie stood where she was and flashed him an awkward smile. “Rose, I’m sorry you had to see what happened earlier. They committed a huge mistake at work, and I had to tell them off. It wasn’t without reason.” He didn’t want Rosalie to
Sebastian stared at the woman before him, feeling his heart softening.He was still a little angry at her this morning and, if he were being honest, he had flared up at his subordinates because of his bad mood.But now, he realized that all the anger in him had dissipated. He wasn’t even angry at the lost project.Conversely, he felt content.There were a few levels to that feeling of content.Each level was like an empty bag that, once filled, would move on to the next level. The next level was a larger bag.He felt like the first bag was already full, and that he had progressed to the next level.With regard to Rosalie, he didn’t ask for much. His bar was very low to start with, and he would feel content with just a smile or a tender word from her.The knowledge that she was concerned for him instantly filled the empty bag on the first level to the brim.The bag on the second level was opened, and it was empty. Strangely, at the same instant when the bag on the first level w
They way his eyes looked right now…“Sebastian,” Rosalie said, looking at him with crystal clear eyes. “We’re good friends. You helped me when I was at my lowest, and I’m just returning the favor. I don’t mean anything else, so please don’t overthink things.”Sebastian felt as though someone splashed an entire bucket of cold water over his head. He didn’t know if Rosalie was deliberately reminding him not to overthink things, or if it was just a casual remark on her part.Whatever it was, Rosalie had only one objective in mind—which was to stop him from overthinking. They were just friends, and she was just showing concern for a friend.A friend…Sebastian’s mind was in a mess.At the same time, a sharp knife was slicing through his heart.He knew they were just friends—he knew that all along. That was why he had been so cautious. However, it didn’t stop his heart from breaking when Rosalie pointed it out so incisively and matter-of-factly.Rosalie was still feeling uneasy, and
“I do have someone I fancy,” Sebastian said as he looked at her.Rosalie asked doubtfully, “Is that so? Do you really have someone you fancy? Who is she?”“She…is very close to me…”Rosalie instinctively wanted to take a step back, but her body froze on the spot as the corners of her lips twitched.Sebastian suddenly took a step closer to her. Rosalie instinctively stepped back.“Rose, can you do me a favor?” he asked. “What is it?” Rosalie asked.“Can you teach me how to court a lady?”“Me, teach you?” Rosalie said in disbelief. “I think Yvonne would be a better person to ask. I’m such a dull person, and I don’t understand men very well. I don’t understand women, either.”“I’m sure you do. The woman I fancy is quite similar to you in character. I’m afraid Yvonne wouldn’t understand. She’s so rambunctious, she wouldn’t know a thing about quieter and more reserved ladies.”“Is that so?” Rosalie asked. “Who is this lady you fancy?”“She… I met her at a banquet. She’s very res
“Yeah,” Sebastian nodded. “That’s her name.”“Do you have a photo of her?” Rosalie was curious as to how the girl who caught Sebastian’s fancy looked. Her curiosity was further piqued by the fact that Sebastian said that she was similar to her in character. “A photo of her…” Sebastian looked as though he suddenly remembered something. “It’s in my phone, but I left it at home and didn’t bring it with me. That’s also why I didn’t see your text and answer your calls.”What a perfect excuse! It didn’t seem at all suspicious. He was telling the truth, too.He had left the house in a hurry this morning and, in his ire, forgot to bring his phone. He would never not answer Rosalie’s calls.“I see.”As it turned out, Sebastian had already left his house when she texted him.“I’ll check out her photo next time, then. But have you tried courting her? Or did you try and fail?”“The problem is…” Sebastian lamented helplessly, “she has a boyfriend.”“Oh, so she’s not single.” Rosalie s
Rosalie found it difficult to accept the fact that the furious Sebastian, who was flaring up earlier, was the sorrowful, vulnerable, and helpless man before her now.Yet, they were undeniably the same man.Even a man like Sebastian had moments where he couldn’t control his anger and rage. There were also moments where he felt sorrow and disappointment.Sebastian lifted his head, and looked seriously at her. “Rose, help me think through this, will you?”Rosalie nodded and said anxiously, “I’ll help you. Give me a moment and let me think it through.”She was taking it very seriously.Sebastian had helped her so much. Now that she finally had a chance to help him, she would do all she could. If she could help him with his relationship, it would make her feel better and not feel so indebted to him.“Why don’t you start off as friends with her first? Don’t think about pursuing her, and just treat her sincerely. Show her concern, and hang out with her casually. I trust she’ll slowly g
“What’s the matter?” Sebastian asked.Rosalie recalled something, but she wasn’t too sure about it. It didn’t seem appropriate for her to abruptly bring it up too, so she shook her head. “Nothing. Let me help you clear up the mess. These documents are important. Don’t just throw them around like this next time.”Rosalie bent down to pick up the documents, piece by piece.“No need, Rose. Let me.”Sebastian rushed over to pick up the documents with her.Their hands touched when they tried picking up the same document.Rosalie pulled her hand back, as if she felt a jolt of electricity. Her lips curled in an awkward smile as she handed the document to Sebastian.“I’ll be going now. I still have things to do.”Sebastian asked, “Aren’t you going to wait for Yvonne? I’ll call her now and tell her to come back.”“No need. I have something to do, and I won’t be able to have lunch with her anyway. Perhaps next time.”“Where are you going? I can give you a lift.”“No need. I can just
“Mom’s going to take you away for a while. Where do you want to go?”Rosalie had to find a place where no one knew her, and give birth to the baby before she started showing.As she was thinking, her phone rang.Not knowing who it was, she picked up her phone. There, she saw an unknown number. She swiped across the screen to answer. “Hello?”However, no sound came from the other end of the line.“Hello, who is this?” Rosalie pressed, but there was still no response.Suddenly, the caller hung up abruptly.Rosalie was puzzled. Could it have been a wrong number?Just as she was about to put down the phone, it rang again. It was the same number.Rosalie answered again. “Hello?”And yet, there was still no sound. “If you don't speak, I'll hang up and block this number.”Despite that, the phone remained silent. There was still no sound.A sudden chill ran down Rosalie’s spine—she could hear someone’s breath. There was no problem with her phone… The caller wasn’t speaking on p