Upon hearing Autumn's quick witted response, Rachel was stunned. "Well... Okay, if that is what you want, " Rachel replied, after a long pause, with a sense of embarrassment in her tone.
Autumn's response was smart. Not only did she refuse Rachel's gift in a polite manner but also showcased how sensible and quick on her feet she was.
"I hope that Miss Bai, you will enjoy yourself tonight. Thank you again for the considerate gift and wishes, " Autumn replied with a courteous smile as she stood up and walked away, leaving Rachel shocked as to how she turned the situation around.
Being tired of dealing with Rachel and her never ending drama, she ended their conversation immediately on a pleasant note and went towards the lady's room.
As she walked out of the restroom, she knitted her brows at the very sight of Roger who was standing at the door. Roger stared at Autumn with a rather mischievous smile.
'What is he doing here? Who invited him to this party?' Autumn's mind was overflowing with questions and concerns.
"Surprise!" Roger exclaimed with a grin and made a prominent entrance. "You must be curious as to what I am doing here. I am a star and I have some connections in this circle. It's not difficult to get invited to your birthday, " he explained.
"Are you?" Autumn sneered, with an intention of leaving.
"Hold on there, what is the hurry?" Roger said as he quickly grabbed Autumn's hand. "I went through great lengths to meet you here. I have something to say to you. Please at least hear me out."
"There is no need for that. I think that I've already made myself clear to you on several occasions, " Autumn said as she declined his request. "Whatever your intentions are, I advise you to give up, " she added in a stern and resolute tone.
"I honestly made all this effort to come here to just apologize to you, " Roger said in a rather sincere tone. He realized that Autumn was a far more difficult woman than Rachel to convince. Both temptation and threats didn't seem to work on her.
"You have apologized. Can I leave now?" Autumn asked impatiently. "If you only came here to make an apology, then well, you have done that and for all you care I forgive you."
Roger was shocked at her immediate dismissal. The whole apology story was just a front to approach Autumn. In fact he expected Autumn to refuse his apology. If she had, he would have an excuse to keep coming back to her. But now contrary to what he thought, Autumn forgave him. 'This... isn't a part of my plan, ' he thought bitterly, not knowing what to do next.
"I hope everything is clear now! I am saying it yet again I forgive you, " Autumn raised her voice to make herself clear and leave no room for doubts. "My only wish is that you leave my party now and I never have to see you again. I don't want to have anything to do with you or be associated with you in any way possible be it big or small. If you can fulfill this wish, I will not only forgive you, but thank you with all my heart, " she said with total disregard for his feelings.
"Judging by your tone and expressions, I know that you are still angry with me, " Roger tried to manipulate her yet again. "You just needed an excuse to banish me away from your life."
"Thank god then you understand my sentiments. You're not a fool, " Autumn responded sarcastically in yet another attempt to push him away. "Roger, I will not repeat myself again. I don't blame you and I have moved on. All I want now is for you to stay out of my life. I hope that is clear to you..."
"Why do you detest me so much? What did I do to deserve such hatred?" Roger asked with a rather frustrated expression. He thought that he was losing irrespective of how hard he tried, Autumn kept slamming his attempts down and pushed him away.
"You are thinking too much, " Autumn said calmly. "We are strangers and it should remain that way. There is no need to move further from mere acquaintances.
Do you think that we have other options besides being strangers?" Autumn mocked his insincerity.
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