Vickie could not help but chuckle.
However, she shook her head after giving much thought. “That won’t do. You still have your own life to live. You’re only here for a job. How can you throw your whole life away for a job?”
Andrea clammed up over her words.
The girl’s face was calm and aloof amid the night sky. The blank expression on her face gave an illusion of worldly apathy, a polar opposite of her usual vivacious and young self.
Because Vickie was lying down with her eyes shut, she did not notice the unusualness of Andrea’s expression.
She continued, “I hope that you can have your happy ending. Find someone that likes you and whom you like too. Have a steady marriage, have a child, and live an ordinary and happy life. This is the happiest phase in a person’s lifetime.”
Gazing at Vickie, Andrea asked a question out of the blue, “Is having an ordinary life the path of true happiness?”
Vickie raised a brow and slightly opened one eye before answering, “Of course.”
Andrea curled her lips without saying a word.
Closing her eyes, Vickie proceeded to indulge in the massage and said, “Andrea, since you’ve never experienced the unordinary, you won’t understand the rarity and greatness of the ordinary.
“People like us live our lives on the edge every day. Today may pass, but we don’t know if we’ll be here tomorrow. Perhaps, we’ll never have a chance in this life to revel in the happiness you can have.
“Sure, the outside security might be tight every night, but our mind will still be on alert even when our eyes are closed in fear that one false step would lead to someone charging in to stab you or slash you in the throat.
“You know, humans are afraid of death at the end of the day. Even after so many years, I can say that I can’t look beyond life and death. Who would want to die early if there’s a chance to live?
“Just for the very reason of not wanting to die and afraid to die, people like us live in constant fear every waking minute. Once fear seeps into the major part of your life, the riches and power you own won’t give you as much happiness.
“Andrea, I really hope you can achieve happiness. Don’t be like me. I had the chance but blew it. In the end, I’m at a crossroads on which path to take.”
Her voice gradually faded in conversation.
Andrea carried on applying gentle pressure on Vickie. The essential oil across her fingertips diffused a faint sweet fragrance that seemingly wafted from afar, relaxing all her nerves and leaving only the desire to drown in those senses.
With downcast eyes, Andrea glanced at the woman before her.
The woman appeared asleep. With her eyes shut, she just lay there.
Stripped off her wall of defense, she looked so frail like any other ordinary girl as if she were a gentle and harmless angel.
Angel...
Andrea murmured under her breath. She suddenly found it sarcastic.
Her mind harked back to a long time ago. One afternoon, she had served a sour plum drink for relieving the summer’s heat without Vickie’s order when she was most thirsty. Vickie had happily pinched her cheeks and told Andrea that she was her little angel.
However, was there an angel like her?
For some reason, her eyes turned red, alighting with bleakness and pain.
Vickie woke up half an hour later.
By the time she came to, stars had filled the sky above her head and the cool breeze around was gently caressing against her face and body, making her feel cozy and cool.
She had a thin blanket over her. Vickie turned and found that Andrea was not there.
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