[41]
“How do I look?” asked Giselle as she made sure nothing was left in her shoulder bag.
“What do you want me to praise you for?” asked Harvey as he ruffled her hair. He didn’t want to get out of bed yet but remembered that at eight o’clock there was a breakfast event. Although it wasn’t the main event because the closing ceremony would be at lunchtime, he still had to attend. Especially since Giselle couldn’t make it.
There was no way their meeting could have been quick.
“Your words hurt me, Harvey.” Giselle quickly puts on her sneakers. A dark brown hat and sunglasses complemented her look.
“I just found out that Giselle can make phrases at the level of high drama.”
“Never mind. Talking to you is a waste of time.” She quickly left the room but before she could move away, the message she had spoken so many times echoed through the room. “Tell Brina I ha-”
“Just need to sleep, after having breakfast delivered to the room. As for the closing ceremony, you’ll definitely be attending.”
Giselle chuckled. Harvey repeated the message perfectly. “I’m counting on you.”
“Nothing is free in this world, Giselle.”
“Take it easy.” Giselle held up both thumbs. “I’ll get you a soda for sure.”
“For some reason, I cringe at the sight of Brina’s face.”
“Never mind, I have to go now. talking to you is endless.”
Harvey just waved softly and let Giselle close the door. It would be better if he got ready for the small talk in the dining room. He wasn’t sure Maya was still in the hotel. Even if she was, he didn’t care.
Her mind was made up. Once again, he checked his savings account, the result of collecting money from his modeling job. The amount listed there was enough to pay the penalty according to the contract period with Maya. But given that Maya was a cunning woman, Harvey had prepared some spare cash.
But… she quickly switched her cell phone to call someone. Once connected, she spoke in a tone that sounded seductive.
“I’ve finished attending the event. Sorry to call you.”
“…”
“Fine if that’s what you want but I need a large sum of money.” She sat down while twisting the ends of her hair. He closed his eyes quietly, trying to get rid of the thoughts that were beginning to consume his mind. “I no longer want to work under your wife’s influence. Can you make her let me go? I won’t run away from you, darling.”
***
“You look different this morning, Giselle,” Andrew greeted as he found the girl he’d been dying to meet already at the café. Sitting down, she gently shook her head. A white head set in the shape of a rabbit was attached to the girl’s head. It looked adorable.
“You’re here.” Giselle took off her headset immediately. Improving her mood while listening to music was one of the many ways Giselle could do it. A slice of red velvet with iced chocolate was served in front of her. “I think I should have waited longer.”
Andrew laughed but not for long, sitting up and looking at her guiltily. “I apologize for making you wait so long. I didn’t realize that bi-”Original from NôvelDrama.Org.
“I’ve only been waiting five minutes, Andrew,” Giselle chuckled excitedly. “You’re freaking out. I’m just kidding.”
Andrew didn’t matter. “I still feel bad for making you wait. I’m sorry again, Giselle.”
“Alright alright.” Giselle wagged her finger lightly as she took a sip of her iced chocolate. “Since I don’t know what your coffee preferences are, I haven’t ordered for you yet.”
“I like the Americano type of coffee. If it’s a latte, it’s a fairly low sugar or less sugar option. If you don’t mind remembering what my favorite coffee is.”
Giselle nodded immediately. “I remember. My memory is quite high. Next time we meet, I’ll order coffee that suits your taste.”
“I hope that meeting can happen in the near future.” Andrew couldn’t take his eyes off the beautiful and adorable girl. Wearing a white T-shirt with navy colored sweatpants, the hat that was still worn seemed to disguise how Giselle’s face was from the public, not to mention the makeup that Giselle wore was completely different from last night’s event.
It really made Andrew’s faith weak.
“I don’t know,” Giselle shrugged. “I’ve got too much on my agenda to deal with it all on my own.” Giselle’s shoulders seemed to droop weakly. “Especially in the next week, I’ll be punished quite severely.”
“Punishment?” asked Andrew with an unexpected look. “Did you do something wrong? What happened? You can tell me, Giselle. I might be able to help you. But it’s a bit too much ji-”
“You’re chatty too, huh, being a man?” Giselle gave Andrew a humorous look. “Besides being a stalker, a pain in the ass, it turns out Andrew Kingston has a lot to say too.”
Andrew blinked in disbelief. He didn’t expect to be able to say that much himself, plus, in front of Giselle! God, why was he such a shameless guy in front of the girl he liked. “I’m sorry,” he said with a chuckle. “I said a lot of unnecessary things.”
Giselle shook her head again. “You apologize too much too. Just be yourself wherever you are, Andrew. It’ll be more fun.”
He had not misplaced his heart for the girl who smiled broadly at him. The rising sun warmed the surroundings, outshone by the smile Giselle had given him this morning. Even to get out of the Ford building, he needed extra energy. This included waiting for Fania’s arrival at the first meeting place. Don’t let his plan to disappear for a moment be discovered by his father. If he was with Fania, it certainly wouldn’t raise any suspicions.
“You’re right, Giselle.” Andrew sighed softly. His cup of coffee had just been delivered by the waiter. He was now beginning to savor the aroma and flavor. It was a bit different from the previous cafe, but Andrew was confident that the taste was quite acceptable and enjoyable.
“I asked you to meet for no reason, I’m sorry to disturb your busy schedule.” Giselle began to straighten her back, adjusting her seat as a sign that there was no longer any cordiality in their meeting. She wanted to speak quite firmly about what Andrew had done for her.
“It doesn’t bother me at all. You shouldn’t feel guilty,” Andrew said immediately.
“Okay.” Giselle smiled slightly. “I just want to know what all the presents in my room are for?”
“Congratulations to you of course. What else?” replied Andrew with a chuckle. “Is there anything that doesn’t fit? If so, tell me which part? I’ll replace it with se-”
“You’re overreacting, Andrew,” Giselle said with a sharp look. “It’s not that I’m ungrateful, but a gift from a man whose mere introduction makes me uncomfortable,”
“I told you the real reason, didn’t I? I have nothing more to cover up.”
“I know,” Giselle said immediately. “But it’s all too much for me, Andrew. I can’t take it.”
“Even if you consider it a friend’s gift for your accomplishments?”
Giselle laughed. “Friends?”
Andrew blinked in surprise. “You… can’t consider me a friend?”
“A friend has his own limits when it comes to giving, Andrew. Although you say it’s only a small part of what you can do for me, it’s too much for my eyesight.” Giselle played with the tip of her straw on the glass of iced chocolate she had just savored a little. “For all I know, you alone understand what kind of world I come from.”
Andrew wanted to break all of Giselle’s words that sounded rambling but somehow, the look in the girl’s eyes undid all the intentions that were already on the tip of the tongue. Which made Andrew again silence his voice in order to hear what Giselle wanted to say.
“A man’s gift is not something free. There is a purpose and a goal. Especially when it’s not cheap stuff.” Giselle took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “So… tell me what is the purpose of you giving me so many gifts?”