Stunned, Sally paused for a moment before replying to me, “Honey, what are you saying? This is all so sudden.”
“Thank you!” I cut her off and wrapped my arms around her. There was a bittersweet feeling in my chest.
This world is never a place dictated by absolute rights or wrongs. Aren’t we all merely treading grey areas day by day?
There was an anxious expression on her face as she asked, “Is something wrong?”
I gave her a cheeky smile in return. “Yes, I’m hoping you can help me with something.”
Surprised, she asked, “What is it?” Her expression turned serious.
“Can I borrow some money?”
She laughed out loud at my request. “Honey, you gave me a shock!” She pulled out some notes from her pocket and stuffed them in my hands.
Then, she chided me, “Honey, why did you make it so dramatic? I really thought something serious had happened.”
I chuckled as I counted out the money I needed and returned the rest to her. “A tenner is enough.”
I left Sally’s house and headed to the taco stand. After I paid the seller, I went back to the villa.
Ashton wasn’t home yet. I drifted off into a daydream as I stared at the magnolias in full bloom in the yard.
I snapped out of my daydream and decided to do something useful around the house. I started tidying up the second floor, and I had just finished cleaning the bedroom when Ashton came back.
He frowned when he saw me. “Your back is hurt. Just let Flora deal with the cleaning.” As he gently told me off, he pulled me down to sit on the bed.
He continued, “I heard you paid a visit to Aunt Sally today.”
I nodded and looked at him. Suddenly I didn’t know what else to say, and I just stayed silent.
I leaned on his chest and listened to the calming sound of his heartbeat.
He spoke up first. “You didn’t have any cash on you?”
Slightly surprised, I nodded. “I bought some food from a taco stand in an alley. I didn’t have any cash on me, so I borrowed some money from Aunt Sally.”
This got a sigh out of him. “You can draw money using the debit card I gave you. Just use it whenever you need to buy something.”
I nodded before asking, “Do we have any cash at home?”
“There are several thousand in the drawer in the study. You can take it whenever you need it.”
I mumbled my understanding and continued hugging him, just taking in his scent in silence.
It had been drizzling in K City. I stood before the Moore residence, hesitating. If I go in, they’ll ask me to stay for dinner, and if I say no, I’ll upset both Cameron and Zachary.
In the end, I decided not to go in. I lingered for a moment longer before leaving.
Rain showers during spring weren’t chilly. Instead, they brought with them warmer weather.
Enjoying the weather, I walked around aimlessly after leaving the Moore residence. Somehow I ended up outside the Fuller Corporation office.
So much time has passed, but I can still remember when I first set foot in K City five years ago. My life has changed so much since then.
I approached the reception counter, certain that I would be required to make an appointment. To my surprise, the receptionist seemed to recognize me. She greeted me, “Mrs. Fuller, welcome to the office.”
Pleasantly surprised, I asked, “How do you know me?”
“Mr. Fuller informed us that you might drop by. You can just head on up,” she said amicably.
I’d almost forgotten that my return to K City—as well as my relationship with the Fullers—had been splashed across the tabloids. There wasn’t much that the public didn’t know about me, let alone for someone who worked at the Fuller Corporation.
I walked into Ashton’s office on the top floor of the building. He was already waiting for me at the door. There was a black fountain pen in his hand as if he’d gotten up in the middle of working.
He pulled me into his arms and smiled gently. I could feel him releasing a sigh of relief. “Why’d you suddenly drop by?”
Realizing that my clothes and hair were wet, he pulled me into his private restroom. He rummaged around for one of his spare shirts as he said sheepishly, “You should take a shower and change into dry clothes.”
I looked at the shirt in his hands and chewed my lips hesitantly. “We’re at your office.” What I really wanted to say was that the office was a public area, unlike our house. It would probably be quite inappropriate for me to walk around in his shirt.
He smirked and gave me a peck on my lips. “It’s fine. Just wear this first. I’ll ask Joseph to bring you a set of clothes in a bit.”
I heard his office line ringing as I walked into the restroom. I could make out the baritone of his voice as he replied, “Come in!”
Someone’s probably here to pass him some documents. I turned on the showerhead and started bathing.
I felt much warmer after the shower. I put on the black shirt he’d given me, which was longer than I’d expected. The shirt brushed my knees.
I patted my hair dry instead of using a hairdryer. I walked out of the restroom and saw Rachel standing beside Ashton at his desk.
They were so engrossed in their discussion on the marketing strategies for the AI project that I thought Ashton must’ve missed my entrance.
Not wanting to disturb them, I waited quietly at the door of the restroom.
Their discussion ended abruptly. His gaze then landed on me as he chided, “You should blow-dry your hair, or you’ll fall sick.”
His brief remarks caused both of them to lose track of their discussion, and Rachel’s gaze swivelled in my direction.
She was obviously surprised at my appearance. Her eyes travelled my entire length, stopping on the black shirt I was wearing.
