Thus, Gary nodded and told her, “Alright. I have two projects right now that are promising. Let me tell you about them.”
In truth, a lot of what he said following that was lost on her. After all, Cindy was truly a greenhorn when it came to investment and she didn’t understand many of the professional terms.
She knew that he was trying his best to simplify things for her.
Alas, they were still worlds apart and nothing made sense to her.
Finally, she frowned and said, “If you believe they’re promising, I trust you.”
At the end of the day, Gary was a wealthy man who would never put his own reputation on the line for the pittance she had.
Of that much, she was certain.
For Gary’s part, he could also tell that she was truly lost.
Jokingly, he quipped, “Why trust me so much? Not everything you see on TV is real. Plenty of people get up to tricks of all sorts to mislead the public. Aren’t you afraid I’ll take your money and run?”
Licking her lips, Cindy murmured, “I’ve read many of your reports before and don’t think you’re that kind of person. Besides, what little I have isn’t worth the trouble.”
Staring keenly at her, he guessed, “You can’t have graduated that long ago.”
“You’re right.” She nodded and continued, “I only just started working and it’s taking quite a bit of effort. That’s why I’m looking for a shortcut. And then, I bumped into you.”
Before he could continue speaking, the office door opened and his assistant walked in with two teacups. Gary then waited until the assistant left before saying, “You must be living quite well with Ian by your side. How could you say it’s taking quite a bit of effort?”
Cindy was publicly known as Ian’s girlfriend, and his current popularity meant he had quite a bit of money and resources pouring into his bank account.
Under normal circumstances, she would also be living the good life by association.
The problem was that these weren’t normal circumstances.
Since she couldn’t explain her situation to him, she only said, “I still want my own economic freedom. He might be rich, but he earned that money through his own hard work. I can’t rely on him for everything. Besides, I have to try and live up to him just a little bit, else I become known as a golddigger.”
Upon hearing that, Gary quirked a corner of his lips. “That’s quite grown up of you.”
Picking up his teacup and taking a sip, he changed the subject for a moment. “I’ve read quite a few articles on you. You’re quite the popular couple. And here I was, wondering if you’d be able to withstand the raging pressure of public opinion.”
At the change in topic, Cindy relaxed somewhat. “I know the comments aren’t friendly, so I don’t read them often. I’m afraid they’ll affect my mood, you see.” Following that, she played with her hair before continuing with some embarrassment, “It helps to bury my head in the sand. For now, at least, the whole matter hasn’t impacted me too greatly.”
Leaning back in his chair, he told her, “Well, you’re right to do so. Some grievous wounds must be avoided; it’s only that some people are masochistic enough to listen to and read about the things that hurt them.”
Originally wary of him, she miraculously relaxed after chatting with him for a while.
Though Gary seemed cold on the surface, he had a sense of humor and even occasionally turned philosophical.
It was freeing to chat with him and as they talked about nothing and everything, Cindy found herself learning a thing or two from him.
It seemed he was quite unoccupied that morning, for he spent such a long time entertaining her that she was even a little embarrassed.
Finally, when they were nearly done talking, she spoke up a little shyly. “I wonder if you’re free this afternoon, Mr. Frye. I’d like to treat you to lunch as thanks for how long you’ve spent entertaining me.”
After what seemed like a moment of hesitation, Gary nodded. “Just as well. I do have time this afternoon.”
The answer caught Cindy off-guard, as she had been wondering to herself how she could possibly express her sincere gratitude without seeming perfunctorily polite if he said no. Yet, he said yes.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Returning EX (John and Sophia)
So what happens to Ian and Cindy. Is she/ or does she get pregnant? Do they go back to the city and Ian works with Logan? Does Aurora stay in the entertainment industry or return with Ian? Terrible ending, who cares if Aurora was drinking/drunk with colleagues. What happened with Ian and Cindy?!...
Get rid of Gary. Apparently Cindy is too dumb to figure out his motives 😡...
Why are you trying to break them up when they just got together and are a loving couple. Let them stay close and move back to their true friends, Logan, Lola, John and Sophia!...
Sure hope Ian pulls his head out of his behind and works this out with Cindy. His brother needs him at the company and neither one of them truly like the celebrity life. Sophia and Lola will love her …....
I can’t wait for John to take down the Bailey’s including Isabelle so he, Sophia, William and Matilda can live in peace. Introduce Yolanda to Richard so they are out of the picture....
Ugh, don’t break up Sophia and John… they belong together and Sophia is just stubborn for no reason...
Sophia lives John, he just needs to tell her he loves her and get on with their life and family. Too much interference from others....
Sophia is so stupid....
John needs to man up, tell his mother and Isabelle to take a flying leap and confess to Sophia that he made a horrible mistake in divorcing her. This story is taking too long and once again, the bitches are looking like they are on the right side. Awful...