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S31 50. Not My Taste
“What’s wrong, Madam?” Ava’s eyebrows rose. Her eyes blinked firmly.
“I just remembered that I haven’t officially introduced myself.” Vivian stepped forward and held out her hand. Her smile, which was usually graceful, now seemed sweet. “I’m Vivian Bell. Jeremy’s mother.”
Ava shook her hand with awkward movements. “I’m Ava Connor.”
“Have you been a nurse long?” Vivian hadn’t let go of Ava’s hand. The girl grew stiffer.
“Four years. Is that long?”
“No wonder you look so experienced. I’m lucky you’re here to look after Melanie.” Vivian patted the back of Ava’s hand. The girl almost frowned, uncomfortable.
“I’m just doing my job, Ma’am.”
Ava tried to pull her hand away, but Vivian held back. Jeremy noticed that. He also wondered how long his mother would hold Ava’s hand.
“So,” Jeremy cleared his throat, “shall we go now? I have to talk to
Sean before he leaves.”
“The man who escorted my mother? Ava raised an eyebrow. “He
wants to leave?”
Jeremy nodded. “He has to go home soon. He wants to celebrate New Year with his family.”
Ava’s face suddenly fell. Worry clouded her eyes.
“But you don’t need to worry,” Jeremy continued quickly. “The owner of the hospital is a friend of ours. He promised to ensure your
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mother’s safety.”
“Your brother said that man could defeat all the hospital security officers?”
Jeremy nodded stiffly. “Yes, but if the entire crew is alert, your
mother’s safety will still be guaranteed. You can’t ask Sean to sacrifice New Year’s moments with his family, right? Besides, Sophia doesn’t know your mother’s latest location.”
Ava sighed faintly. “That’s right. He also has a family to look after,” she muttered, looking down for a moment.
“Then, Mrs. Bell,” Ava replied, holding Vivian’s hand, “I have to go now. If there’s anything with Mrs. Harris, please call us.”
Vivian smiled wider. “Nothing will happen. Go. Jeremy will accompany you. Send my greetings to your mother.”
Ava nodded. As soon as Vivian let go of her hand, she walked
towards the front door.
“Mom, I’ll be gone for a moment.” Jeremy pressed his cheek against
Vivian’s.
“I don’t mind if you take your time. What’s important is that you get back with Ava. Don’t leave her alone, hmm?”
Jeremy snorted slightly. “Please don’t exaggerate it, Mom. She’s nobody.”
Before Vivian could argue, he walked after Ava. Vivian could only
shake her head at her son.
“That child. Frank and Philip have already found a partner. Is he still not moved to approach women? Ava could be the right choice.”
Jeremy knew exactly what was going through his mother’s mind. Therefore, in the car, he glanced at Ava several times.
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Ava looked calm. She stared at the road with a flat expression. It was difficult to read what was in her heart or mind, until suddenly, she turned her head and made Jeremy flinch.
“Are you done?”
Jeremy blinked as he gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Done what?”
He raised his eyebrows to appear confused.
“Observing me. Do you still have the same opinion of me? I’m a criminal, far from your taste?”
Jeremy’s breath suddenly hitched. His train of thought was stuck, having trouble processing Ava’s bluntness.
“It turns out,” Jeremy let out a quick sigh, “you were eavesdropping on
my conversation with my mother?”
“I was walking behind you guys. Of course I heard.”
Ava buried her back deeper into the backrest. Her expression remained flat even though her tone was a little awkward.
“Actually,” she sighed, “I don’t care what you think of me. But your mother seems to have expectations of me. Can you tell her not to misunderstand me? I feel uncomfortable.”
Jeremy snorted in disbelief. Feeling uncomfortable, he pulled over the car. “Okay, I know you’re in a rush to see your mother, but we need to get this straight first.”
Ava nodded. Her palm rose briefly, letting Jeremy to speak.
“I’m not interested in you at all, and I don’t think you are either.”
Ava nodded. “That’s right.”
“My mother behaved like that because of her instinct as a parent who wanted to see her son find a partner. So, she considered any woman
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as an option.”
Avá repeated her head movements. “I know. That’s why I asked you to remind your mother. I still have to look after Mrs. Harris at your house. I feel uncomfortable if your mother keeps treating me like that.
“Even without you telling me, I would have done that. I’m also uncomfortable seeing my mother expecting me to be with a woman like you.” Jeremy raised his eyebrows with a serious expression.
“Okay. Then everything is clear, now. No need to feel so offended.”
Jeremy’s head snapped back. “I’m not offended.”
“You’re offended. You look at me like a disgusting creature right now. Just look at your furrowed eyebrows. But I don’t mind. After what I’ve done for Sophia, I understand that you think I’m evil.”
Jeremy took a deep breath and looked back at the front. This was the first time he felt tired of dealing with someone.
“Can we continue our journey now?” Ava asked unexpectedly.
Jeremy glanced cynically at her. “You’re bossy too, apparently.”
“If you mind, that’s fine. I can get a taxi.”
Ava blinked firmly. Getting no response from Jeremy, she took off her
seat belt.
“Okay. Thanks for the ride.”
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