“I want to be by your side at this moment as I don’t want you to face it and bear it alone, do you understand?” Summer nodded. “But she will get emotional whenever she sees you. You must not appear in front of her.” “Yes, I can’t appear in front of her, but I can in front of you. Open the window if you want to see me.” Her brows were knitted together tightly as she walked over, opened the window, and poked her head out. There she saw the silhouette of a tall guy. He was wearing the windbreaker he just bought earlier today, leaning against the car, holding a mobile phone with his left hand to his ear and an umbrella in his right. The raindrops falling from the night sky made a constant pitter patter on his umbrella. He was looking up at her, squinting his eyes, as if he was gazing into her soul. “Are you seeing me?” “Mm.” She could hear the thumping of her heart. “Can you bear with her?” he asked, his long fingers clenching the phone harder without him consciously knowing.
Summer’s eyes were moist with emotion. “I hate you for sweet talking me tonight—you made me feel so touched.” “Only when you are touched, you will not leave me. I will only sweet talk you from now on.” His voice became hoarse. “No, I don’t want it. I am having goosebumps all over my body.” He chuckled. He chuckled, looking at her helplessly. “Has anyone ever told you that you are a buzzkiller?” She thought for a moment and chuckled. “Yeah, do you remember the first time we met? You sang I Can Love You Like That, and I sang Never Ever. I am not just a buzzkiller but also have an explosive energy and a dry sense of humor.” “I can see that.” He played along. “Go back in. I will take Charlotte home.” “Okay. Remember to send her to school tomorrow morning. I won’t go back tonight. But I am not sure about tomorrow. So I will call you then.” The next morning, when Summer woke up, Daisy was already awake. She was looking out of the window, appearing calm. But this behavior of Dai
“The way you said it sounded as if I owed it to her. Leave. I don't want to see you! I will think of your sick parents whenever I see you. I thought they were well-bred; obviously I was wrong.” “You have always been kind, and you have liked me too, haven’t you?” “I like you?” Daisy sneered, her breathing becoming rapid again, and her body started to shake. “I like anyone but the son of my husband’s murderers. You’re foolish!” “Is it I or you who is foolish?” Mark asked. He left the ward, and Daisy’s vision went dark and she fainted again. Summer had bought pumpkin soup and hot chocolate. Upon hearing from the doctor that Daisy had been rushed into the emergency room, she panicked and frowned. “She was still fine when I left. What happened after that?” “She got emotional again.” She sat down on a bench and waited. An hour later, Daisy was out of the emergency room, but was on an oxygen mask. She slept for another two hours before regaining consciousness. “Didn’t I tell you
“You mean my mom has a mental problem?” “Yes, the patient shows signs of a mental problem. She seems to be trapped in a downward mental health spiral: stubbornness, digging herself a deep hole, and paranoia.” Summer nodded as she listened carefully. Those signs were indeed showing in her mom. “But you must be easy on her and don’t agitate her anymore. You know, people who are too paranoid sometimes do things they can’t even imagine.” “Do you have any psychologist to recommend, doctor?” … Harry and the secretary were waiting with bated breath outside the conference room. Senior executives of the company, and the president of another company were sitting at the table. Something was amiss with the company’s president today. Mark usually entered the meeting room with his phone in silent mode, but not today. He strode out of the meeting and answered the phone when his phone rang. After just talking for a minute or two, he sat down, motionless. Seemingly, the other side had
Cold sweat was trickling down Harry’s forehead. He wondered what had caused Mark to blow his gasket. Life is hard for an employee. All documents—with and without errors—had been returned to him, and he had to redo them all. It would be a bad day for the managers of various departments. Harry sighed as he carried the stack of files out of Mark’s office like an office boy. But before he closed the door behind him, he noticed Mark was keeping his eyes on the phone beside him all the time. Was he waiting for Summer to say sorry first? Whoops, this was an arrogant company’s president. The doctor handed Summer a business card of the best psychologist in Santabaca. The treatment would not come cheap, but that was not a problem. As long as Daisy could return to normal and no longer had to suffer, Summer was willing to spend the money. She called the psychologist right away and was lucky to get an appointment with him in the same afternoon. She was overjoyed. She wasted no time to
Mark grabbed her wrist again and forced his words through his teeth in a deep voice. “Don’t you think you owe me something?” Summer frowned and leaned over to kiss him on the lips without thinking much. Mark’s anger dissipated by more than half. He pulled away after a long while. “Hey, go home first. I will call you when I have time.” She had an I-can’t-even look on her face as he behaved like a child. “Have dinner with me.” Summer glanced at the time. “Thirty minutes, Okay?” The two of them went to a nearby restaurant and just got a quick bite. The unpleasant and hurt feelings he was experiencing because of what she said over the phone disappeared altogether when she kissed him. Sometimes this is just how men work; a kiss or even a sweet word could make them forget everything. He seemed to be starving and ordered some more food. But he kept his eating manner graceful the whole time. Summer did not have a clue why he was so hungry and felt sorry for him. “Take it slow
“No! What psychologist? I have a mental problem? I am all good and in good spirits. You can be with the murderer who killed your dad all you want, and I won’t see any psychologist and listen to your crap. Never show up in front of me again!” “Mom, don’t be so stubborn. Let’s see the psychologist; he can help.” “Stop evading the issue at hand. Just give me a definite answer now: leave with him, or stay with me.” Summer shook her head; either way was a painful choice. She loved both of them and did not want to lose either. “Mom, don’t force me to choose.” “I am not forcing you. If you choose me, then we will be the same as before. If you choose him, you stay away from me. If you come to me again, I will slash myself with a knife.” Daisy was adamant, leaving no room for negotiation. She was torn between the two of them, feeling as if her head was about to explode. It hurt her to think of him, of him lowering himself. She promised him she would be brave for him and would try
It was a feminine song, but Mark could sing it with a unique taste of intoxication; it was mellow, charming, magnetic, and moving. Summer listened seriously and attentively, not missing a single sentence. In fact, she wanted to hear his voice and ingrain it in her heart. The surroundings were quiet, and all that echoed in her ears was the sound of the wind, as well as his deep, melodious voice. A long time had passed, and she was still reluctant to hang up. He suddenly said, “Come down. I am in front of the hospital.” Tears burst out of her eyes at that moment. She was afraid of making any sound, so she clenched her teeth, choking back her cry. “I am busy; I don’t think I can go down.” “I am waiting for you. I drove all the way here, shouldn’t you let me see you for a second?” Mark’s voice was deep, yet carried a hint of gentleness. “I am really busy. I can’t make it. I am just making some time to call you. Tomorrow, we will meet in the cafe across the street. I will wait f