"If I break out in pimples, it's all because of your curse."
Hudson was speechless.
With her family's encouragement, Cecilia cheerfully headed out.
Just outside, she ran into her neighbor, Wilman, on her way to buy groceries. Cecilia greeted her with a smile.
"Cecilia, why are you walking to work?" Wilma asked, "Don't you usually zip around on your electric bike?"
"Outta juice; it totally slipped my mind to recharge it. I left it at the shop last night to recharge, so today I'm thinking about catching a taxi."
"I see. Cecilia, do you guys have any leftover pastries at the end of the day? If you do, bring them back and sell them to me for a good price. I love the pastries from your shop."
She mentioned buying them the next day because Cecilia usually got home late, and as an old lady who slept early, she can't possibly wait until midnight just for pastries.
Cecilia readily agreed, saying, "If you like them, I'll bring some back tonight. My mom can drop them off at your place in the morning. No need to pay me. But Wilma, you're not getting any younger; you’ve got to watch your sugar intake. I'll ask the pastry chef to make some savory biscuits for you with less sugar in the pastries; just a hint of sweetness will do."
Wilma chuckled. "Alright, Cecilia, thank you."
Even though Cecilia said no payment was necessary, Wilma would still insist on paying. Cecilia might not accept the money, but Wilma couldn't help but give it to her.
They chatted and strolled out of the alleyway.
A familiar luxury car was parked there.
It was Owen's.
Cecilia was quite surprised.
What was he doing here, waiting?
Was he here to pick her up for work?
Was he really that nice?
Was the sun rising from the west today?
Cecilia looked up at the sky; the sun was right on schedule, rising into the sky at half past six. Now that it was hanging high in the sky, the sun rays reminded Cecilia that the sun was still rising from the east.
No bizarre phenomenon of the sun rising from the west had occurred.
Cecilia didn't want to get into Owen's car under Wilma's gaze, so she pretended not to recognize Owen and didn't approach the luxury car.
Owen looked a bit haggard, with dark circles under his eyes; clearly he hadn't slept well.
He didn't bring any bodyguards either.
The car window was down, one hand on the steering wheel, the other holding a lit cigarette, taking occasional drags.
Seeing Cecilia acting like she didn't know him, Owen took another couple of drags from his cigarette, threw it away, and then drove the car closer, honking the horn incessantly.
Wilma asked Cecilia, "Cecilia, do you know that young man?"
Cecilia lied: "He's the taxi driver I booked online. Wilma, I have to go to work now; be careful crossing the road."
Wilma didn't recognize the emblem on the luxury car and thought Owen's car wasn't as good as her grandson's. Her grandson's car was a seven-seat business vehicle, which was quite expensive.
After riding in her grandson's car, Wilma thought no other car could be as comfortable.
But that ride-hailing driver was really young and handsome.
"Cecilia, go to work. I'm going grocery shopping. It's almost the weekend; I'll have your family take me to your shop then."
She didn't like coffee, but she could eat pastries and also help Cecilia's business.
"Alright."
Cecilia agreed readily, watched Wilma cross the road and head towards the supermarket, then leaned over and looked at the man in the car, laughing as she asked, "What's going on today? You're here; did you deliberately come to pick me up for work?"
She never dreamed that one day she'd enjoy this kind of service.
Owen looked at the sandwich in her hand and asked, "What's that?"
Cecilia rolled her eyes and said, "Even if you've never eaten a sandwich, you should have seen it on TV. You're actually asking what this is? Such a dumb question."
"I don't watch TV, and I really haven't eaten a sandwich before."
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