11

"What are your plans after this, Caraline?" asked Deric.        

Instead of answering, Caralie was busy watching the man in front of her from top to bottom through the tail of the eye. "Why do I have to answer your questions? Can you understand your position now?"

Honestly, Caraline was a bit offended when Deric called her by her name directly. The woman admitted that she was weird because she was the one who asked Deric to drop the lady's appendage.

"I'm in the position of someone waiting to hear back from you," Deric replied as he pushed his wheelchair toward Caraline.

Seeing Deric approaching, Caraline reflexively retreated without looking at the road conditions. As a result, her foot accidentally tripped over her long skirt, causing her to fall onto the grass. "Aw!"

For a moment, Caraline remained silent as she gazed up at the sky beyond the transparent dome of this room. Her eyes widened as she realized what had just happened. As she looked to her left and right, Caraline noticed the dominating greenery of the grass.

Caraline's face turned as red as a boiled crab. She hurriedly got up to sit down. "What did you just do to me? You are suck!"

Caraline then patted her dress, which was not dirty at all. "Are you—"

"You'll be fine, Caraline," Deric interjected, extending a hand.

Caraline, who was about to get up, sat down again. She looked at Deric's face and hand in turn. It took a few seconds for her to take a stance and her choice fell on brushing off the man's hand roughly.

"Look at yourself! If you want to help, help yourself first." Caraline stood up with an annoyed look. "What do you mean I should be fine anyway? Can't you take responsibility for what just happened to me?"

"Rather than ask, I'd rather encourage you with my words," Deric said with a smile.

Caraline pondered for a moment. "Stop talking nonsense! You're not a wizard who can work miracles with just words. Because if that were true, you wouldn't be in a wheelchair."

"On some occasions, words have more power than actions," Deric said.

Caraline was again silenced even for a moment. "Shut up! I don't want to hear those words from a man like you."

Caraline turned around, then walked away from Deric. When the tail of her eyes saw the man following her, she suddenly stopped walking. "Don't follow me!"

"I still need answers," Deric said.

Caraline took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. That guy was chatty.

"What are you going to do after this?" Deric repeated his question.

"Can you just shut up and enjoy the luxury I'm giving you without asking too many questions?" Caraline touched her forehead, then hurried to the exit. When an idea struck her, she turned around and faced Deric again.

Deric observed Caraline who was still in her position. "Have you figured it out yet?"

"I... will answer when I get back from somewhere." Caraline rolled her eyes, then smiled faintly. "So until I return, stay here and contemplate your miserable life."

"Alright." Deric smiled. He was about to ask an additional question, but Caraline was already back on the road with wide strides.

Caraline smiled widely as she walked out of the room. She briefly turned her head toward the door with a sardonic look, then returned to walking with her skirt slightly lifted. Once in her personal room, she quickly changed into a black dress with a gold belt. She checked her appearance in the mirror, then walked to where her bag was. Her long hair, which was left loose, swayed with her quick steps.

Caraline walked towards the balcony while waiting for Helen's cell phone response. She glanced up at the rooftop, then gave an annoyed look.  

"Miss Caraline," called Helen who had just entered the room.

Caraline held her phone to her ear, but when she saw Helen's reflection in the window, she suddenly realized that it was the woman she was about to call. She quickly grabbed her bag from the table. As she passed Helen, she said, "Helen, I'm going somewhere. Don't follow me."

"What about..." Helen looked down. Her cheeks were suddenly red. " ... Mr. Jacob?"

Caraline, who had just reached for the doorknob, immediately turned around. "He... has left on urgent business." The woman opened the door wider, and continued, "You can leave early, Helen. Your work for today is done."

"Miss," Helen called with a hand that seemed to stop Caraline in her tracks. Her body, which was leaning forward, was repositioned to its original position.

"Tell me," Caraline pleaded without turning around.

"Congratulations... on your wedding, Miss," Helen said with a bow.

Caraline let out a long breath, then tousled her long hair a few times. "Let's just say that the wedding didn't happen."

After saying that, Caraline hurried to the elevator. She let out another long breath as the memories of today's events rolled in one by one. Caraline quickly left the Mililine Tower 2 building by car. The vehicle sped up, then slowed down as it traveled along the coastline. From where she was now, she could see the office slowly shrinking, then disappearing into the distance.

At the same time, Deric was observing the view of the beach when suddenly the door to the room opened. When he turned around, he found his three brothers coming closer.

"Congratulations on your wedding," James said with a forced smile. His hands were behind his back, holding an object that was deliberately hidden.

"James, that's very rude of you," Jonathan said, "on this special day, it's rude of you to just congratulate our special brother."

Jeremy giggled, then sat back in his chair as he sipped his drink. After being annoyed for most of the day, he would be very happy to be entertained by James and Jonathan.

"You're right," James replied with a chuckle.  

"We have a gift for you," Jonathan continued.

James squatted down and handed Deric a box. "This is perfect for you."

James and Jonathan did their best not to laugh even though they both knew it was impossible.

Deric knew what his three brothers were doing now. It wasn't the first time he had been treated in this way, and he knew the end of their actions. Even so, he tried to stay calm and act as normal as possible.

"I'm very grateful," said Deric who feigned enthusiasm, watching the box on his lap intently. He wouldn't be surprised if this box contained a boxing toy that would hit him hard in the face or even a bomb.

"Open it," Jeremy spoke up from his chair.

Deric opened the box. He found a pair of worn-out shoes. He heard James and Jonathan burst out laughing. When he turned to Jeremy, Deric found that the man was laughing silently.

"Do you like it?" asked James who then walked around Deric's wheelchair. There was still some laughter left in him as he spoke.

"James and I found this gift for you on purpose. We know that you love running with your feet," Jonathan continued.