However, Derek did not enter the vehicle with Wilder. Finally, he walked away. He didn’t bring an umbrella, so he got soaked in the rain.
Gilda happened to have an extra umbrella, and she was a kind-hearted person. She quickly reached Derek out in the storm and gave him the umbrella.
“So that’s how we first met. Derek seemed dejected at the moment, but as our friendship grew, I learned that he was really a pretty jovial guy.” Gilda lowered her chin and grinned sheepishly.
Natalie pieced everything together and realized that Brandon was injured and sent to the hospital on the same day that Gilda met Derek.
Natalie was worried about Brandon at the moment and paid no attention to anybody else around her. Both Derek and she had close calls that day. They were able to escape a collision because of Derek’s brother, but she didn’t even exp**ss gratitude as she only had eyes for Brandon. At that point, Derek should have been very sad.
In the middle of their conversation, Derek rudely burst out of the room.
“It’s time to go, Gilda.”
His demeanor suggested he was fuming.
Natalie approached him and said, “What happened? Did you have an argument with Brandon inside?”
“Not really. I’m just leaving with my girlfriend.” Derek took a single step before turning around and murmuring to Natalie, “Brandon is a sly one. My best judgment is that he’s just feigning illness because he wants you to nurse him for a few more days. Do not fall for that!”
Natalie sighed helplessly and said, “Don’t worry. I understand what has to be done.”
In dismay, Derek cast a gaze in her direction. Natalie was so blindly in love! He bade Natalie farewell before leaving with Gilda.
Derek dragged Gilda out of the hospital angrily to somewhere that was quieter. He then let go of her hand and complained, “How dare Brandon vent his anger at me! I have never been treated like that by anyone before!”
Although the sun shone brightly in Barnes today, the chilly winter winds could still make people shiver.
Gilda was slender, and her dress was blown wildly against the wind. She held herself tightly to keep herself warm as her body shivered slightly from the piercing cold wind.
Derek saw her shivering and quickly took off his coat, wr*pping it around her thin shoulders.
“Wilder should be arriving soon. Let’s just wait a little longer,” he assured her.
Gilda smiled at Derek’s graciousness. She then glanced towards the door of the in-patient department and tugged Derek’s sleeve.
“Aren’t you going to say goodbye to Natalie? Are you just going to leave like this?” she asked in confusion.
Wasn’t he here to see Natalie?
Gilda could tell that Derek still liked Natalie. However, he always hid his emotions in his heart, giving others the imp**ssion that he didn’t really care.
Derek choked and darted his eyes away guiltily. He hurriedly changed the topic as he didn’t want to admit that Gilda was right.
“I don’t know what you are talking about. Anyway, are you hungry? Didn’t you say you wanted to go to the new French restaurant last time? How about I take you there now?”
“Oh, you still remembered. Thanks, but I don’t want to have dinner with you. I don’t want to date a man with another woman in his heart,” Gilda said coldly and walked away.
Derek’s heart tightened as he heard the resoluteness in her voice.
“Where are you going? Who said that I’m in love with another woman?” he asked helplessly. He was confused by Gilda’s sudden anger and followed her subconsciously. He called out to her, “I came here today to have a clean break with my first love. I truly hope to start a new beginning with you.”
Derek had only known Gilda for a few days. However, strangely enough, he felt the desire to settle down with her.
Gilda widened her eyes and looked at him in shock. She thought he was joking and blurted out, “Seriously? Considering your age, how could she be your first love? I’m pretty sure there are other girls before her.”
She rolled her eyes and then added, “Don’t think I’m gullible. I often pay attention to the entertainment news on the Internet.”
The reports on Derek often portrayed him in a bad light. Even the netizens’ comments on him were negative. All the negativity surrounding him just didn’t make him seem like a man who only had one love.
Derek frowned and thought that Gilda was too quick to judge his character. However, he was desperate for her to understand him, so he explained earnestly, “Most of the rumors online are fake and have no backing. I’ll get Wilder to send a lawyer’s letter to those unscrupulous reporters when I am back.”
Derek was hoping to spend more time with Gilda. He gestured towards the benches nearby and suggested, “Let’s sit there and have a chat.”
“I want to go home!” Gilda protested. However, she still allowed herself to be pulled over by Derek.
Derek made Gilda sit on the bench while he remained standing. He was a little distressed and hesitated a long time before speaking.
“Even if I had girlfriends before, that doesn’t count. I’ve dated several good girls before I met Natalie, but none can be considered my first love. The only reason why I said Natalie was my first love is that she made me understand what love really is.”
Gilda was surprised by Derek’s sudden mature answer. She stifled a laugh and kicked Derek from behind. She then burst out laughing.
“Why do you suddenly sound so mature? Your reasons may be good, but that doesn’t change the fact that you’ve dated many girls before!”
Derek covered his b**t and glared at Gilda. He returned to his usual self and scoffed, “I’m the only one who can bear your bad temper.”
“Really?” Gilda stood up and walked slowly away while blushing.
Suddenly, a sound of a car driving could be heard. Gilda raised her head and saw a familiar car driving in their direction. She immediately recognized the driver. Waving excitedly, she smiled and called out, “Wilder!”
Wilder lowered the window and asked them to get into the car. However, when he saw Derek patting his b**t, he couldn’t help but frown and said, “You brat, can you pay attention to your image in public? I’m going abroad tomorrow to try and win you a few more projects. Please, don’t embarrass the agency and me!”
Derek flashed his winning smile and assured him, “Don’t worry about it. I’m Derek. I know what to do.” He then held Gilda’s hand and got into the car.
Looking at the in-patient department, he sighed in his heart.
Goodbye, Barnes. Goodbye, Natalie.
******
Natalie r*bbed her red nose after sneezing and walked into the ward.
“What were you and Derek discussing just now? Why did he storm out angrily?” she asked curiously. Brandon looked up from the document in his hand and asked indifferently, “Was he angry? I didn’t notice. I thought his face was red just because that’s how he usually looks.”
Noticing that Natalie looked worried, Brandon’s mood immediately sunk a little. He glared at her and asked with his voice filled with jealousy, “Don’t tell me that you’re upset that he is angry.”
Natalie opened her mouth and wanted to explain. However, before she could start, Brandon tossed the document aside, pulled the blanket over his head and turned his body to the other side.
“Do you enjoy him pursuing you?” he asked coldly.
Natalie felt helpless. She sat on the edge of Brandon’s bed and patted his back, coaxing, “Of course not. It’s just I haven’t had the chance to thank him.”
New Book: Beginning with a Daring Encounter
Celsie was tired of being labeled as an introvert, workaholic, and dull virgin by her friends. Determined to prove them wrong, she made a bet that she would do something daring on her 25th birthday. Now that the day had arrived, it was time to fulfill her promise. On her daring to-do list, there was one task: a one-night stand with someone.
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