The next day It was 8:00 am when Summer woke up. The quilt beside her was cold, which meant Mark had been away for quite a while. She got out of bed and came into the living room, where Yvette and Raine were busy with something. There were many birthday presents delivered to the Valentine mansion, and they kept coming. There was no telling what was inside those boxes. But by the looks of the beautiful packaging, these presents were all expensive. Summer quickly walked over to offer to help. Yvette asked, “Have you discussed with Mark last night on how to celebrate his birthday?” Raine’s hands suddenly paused as she listened in to their conversation. “I did not discuss it with him because I was thinking of giving him a surprise. After all, it is his birthday. He said he will be available after seven in the evening. So I want to discuss with you and Aunt about the plan,” Summer said. At first, she was thinking of creating an element of surprise. But judging by the number o
Since Yvette was not there with her, she could choose whatever she liked. Besides, her favorite had always been shirts. When you see the man who you love wearing the shirt that you hand-picked for him, the sense of satisfaction and possession is beyond words. But she could not choose that way if Yvette was here. “Actually, in these recent times, wallets have been the best-selling item. It is simple yet presentable. It is definitely an excellent choice.” The salesgirl was enthusiastic as she walked around the counter, took out a wallet, and showed it to Raine. “You may consider this model, young lady.” The luster of the leather was just right. It was not too over-the-top, nor did it look dull. The flower-branch pattern added a noble and elegant touch to the wallet, which was highly presentable. Raine ran her fingers across the wallet. The leather felt soft and looked good. “You won’t go wrong with this wallet. Before you came, a lady bought one of these wallets, too.” “Rea
Charlie wailed as he placed his hands upon his chest in an exaggerated fashion. “Am I an embarrassment to you now? I can give all the fun that women can provide you with. Do you want to try, Mark?” Mark looked in disgust at Charlie, who winked at him flirtatiously, his eyebrows twitching. “You are disgusting.” “I am disgusting? How am I disgusting to you? I might not have what women have, but I have everything that women do not. Don’t you want to try?” What were those embarrassed and disgusted looks on his face about? Charlie did that deliberately. The more Mark found him disgusting, the more excited he would be and tried to push his luck. He lay on the conference table with his legs crossed in a charming and sultry posture. “Look at my body and face. Aren’t they great? Don’t you want me?” “I think you may find yourself a second job as a hustler. By the way, are you sure you don’t need me to call Grace to come over?” Charlie gave a nervous cough upon hearing that, and then
The three of them had been sitting there waiting. It was not until 7:10 pm when Mark finally appeared at the restaurant entrance.He first glanced with his eyes slightly narrowed at Summer, then at the other three, before he took his seat.“Did your dad call you?” Yvette still did not give up.Jazz felt a headache. ‘Can’t she stop it even for a while?’“No, he should be very busy at this time,” Mark said faintly.“However busy he is, he should call you on your birthday. You are his son. But he did not even bother to call!”Raine pulled at Yvette’s sleeve to remind her. “It is Mark’s birthday today, Yvette.”Only then did she restrain herself, taking a deep breath to regulate her breathing.Jazz took out a pen and handed it over to Mark. “Here you go, Mark. Happy birthday. It might not be an expensive brand, but I bought it with my money.”After working part-time at the gas station for some time, he bought something with his hard-earned money.“Thank you.” Mark’s lips turned u
Summer looked away when his stare made her felt awkward. “But something I didn’t forget.”“What?” Mark was still staring at her, his eyes sullen.She took out the good-luck charm she got from the astrologist from the pocket of her coat. “I got this good luck charm from an astrologist. Give me your hand.”Mark extended his hand in front of her and observed her every move.Her fingers were soft, but felt cold. She lowered her head and tied the good luck charm to this wrist matter-of-factly. “It really suits you.”Mark raised his long eyebrows as he stared at the dark red mahogany bracelet on his wrist, doubting if this thing really suited him.Summer was observing him. Seeing the look on his face, she said, “Take it down if you don’t like it.”Jazz heard that and nodded in excitement. “I like it. Take it down and give it to me, Mark.”“It actually looks pretty good.” The longer he looked at the dark red mahogany bracelet, the more pleasing to the eye it became. Not half bad at al
Summer walked out of the revolving restaurant.Raine was typing a message on her phone under the table. She pressed ‘send’ as she finished writing.She did it discreetly, so neither Jazz nor Yvette had noticed it. She got up and excused herself to the washroom.As she left, he gave Mark a meaningful look.While looking at the dark-red mahogany bracelet on his wrist, Mark felt his phone vibrating in his pants pocket. He fished it out and took a look.Raine sent him a short and concise text message.‘See you in front of the washroom.’Mark put the phone back quietly with an impassive face, pushed the chair back a little, and got to his feet.“Where are you going, Mark?” Jazz asked after taking a sip of red wine.“I must have had too much water and need to take a leak,” Mark said with a magnetic voice as he went.He had disappeared out of the door before his voice trailed off.But Jazz and Yvette had sensed nothing wrong with the surrounding atmosphere.In front of the washroo
Summer let out a soft sigh. “You can swallow vinegar to get rid of the thorn in your throat. But what do you need to swallow when it is a thorn in our heart?”“I don’t know, but the only thing I know is that I will swallow anything as long as I can get rid of the thorn. Come, drink with me.”“It is his birthday today. I can’t go right now. Once it’s over, I will find you, okay?”She coaxed Sherman like a child, with patience and a soft voice.As sad as Sherman felt, she was still sensible. “Sure, Summer.”After hanging up, Summer let out a long sigh. She knew how Sherman felt, and she felt sorry for her. But how could she help her?She collected her thoughts and glanced toward the dining hall before heading to the washroom.She knew she would tense up again as soon as she returned to the dining hall. She wanted to relax her mind. Besides, she had nature’s call to answer.When she came in front of the washroom and was about to push the door open, she heard voices coming from the
Suddenly, Mark felt a pair of hands wrapping him from behind. He stopped and said in a flat voice, “Raine, why are you hugging me now, hmm?” He sounded so emotionless yet deep.“I don’t know, I don’t even know myself anymore! I just know that I want to be with you, but I can’t... I have my responsibilities!”Raine had finally let out all the sadness and vulnerability behind her facade, shaking her head as she felt the pain in her heart. Mark turned around and pushed her away with both hands, grabbing her shoulders tightly. Their eyes locked, and his tone turned soft, “Share them with me, I am here.” “I am here…” A phrase so simple yet so full of promises.His gaze felt bottomless, so deep, and so dark. Through his eyes, she felt like he was ready to shoulder all her burdens and worries. As long as he was with her, nothing in this world was impossible! His gaze lured her into a deep trance. She was completely smitten! At that moment, she wanted just to put everything behind a