Kieran remained silent and continued to read through the contract. Time went by, and I grew a little edgy but didn't dare to ask questions. What he was planning was a mystery to me.
"There's no hurry. Since you've signed the contract, the cancellation of our deal can wait until after the handover ceremony. What do you say?" Kieran returned the contract to me.
"I'm sure you are right!" I quickly agreed and felt relaxed. "Then, Mr. Charles, goodbye!" I turned around and walked out.
"I'll be there tonight!" Kieran said just as I was about to reach the door.
I turned around in surprise, but he wasn't looking at me, already working. Then I realized he meant the dinner at Marvin's house tonight. "Well, Mr. Charles, it's fine if you don't want to go."
Kieran did not even look up. I felt embarrassed. He must have heard me this close.
"I understand, Mr. Charles!" Finally, I said awkwardly, closed the door, and left the room. However, outside the door, I couldn't figure out why he would agree to that.
Nevertheless, I had to accompany him to attend the dinner, whether it was for personal reasons or not. Besides, our contract still stood.
Therefore, I went straight to Marvin's house after work. But the moment I entered the door, I regretted it.
In the living room, Marlon and Alicia were sitting together intimately. Marvin was starting a conversation with Marlon in a fawning way, while Shania was trying to please Marlon by serving him fruit and dessert. It was like Marlon had been the emperor surrounded by servile servants.
"Rachael, welcome!" Marvin saw me and stood up with a smile. He kept looking for Kieran beyond me and realized he wasn't here, asking somewhat unhappily, "Why are you alone?"
"Mr. Charles will arrive soon!" I said indifferently and found a solo sofa to sit on. Although I had told myself to bury all the emotions and pain, they were resurfacing in this lovely and peaceful moment.
Nonetheless, I would hold off the pain and maintain my composure.
"Rachael, this is your fault. Why didn't you wait for Mr. Charles?" Shania smiled in a shrill voice, "What if he gets lost?"
"That's right. You are a grown woman with poor manners." Marvin sat down, displeased.
I pretended I hadn't heard him and watched TV.
"Mom and Dad, go easy on Rachael. She didn't mean it!" Alicia stood up from Marlon's side and smiled as she brought the fruit plate to me. She asked jokingly, "Rachael, Mom and Dad said they saw you hugging Mr. Charles at the entrance of the company. Hurry up and tell the truth. What's going on?"
Only then did I look up at Alicia. She was wearing a plain long white dress with her long hair loose. She was artistic and elegant yet lively. She was blinking at me like a spoiled kid, no different from a fairy.
To be honest, even I began to admire Alicia's acting. We had fallen out hard a few days ago, but she was being an angel now. She was a better actress than her mother Shania!
"Rachael, tell me. Is there a big secret between you and Mr. Charles? Don't worry. We are family. You can tell me!" Alicia buttered me up and tugged my sleeve.
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