“Well, not exactly. It’s just that no one can guarantee what happens in the future, so I only pay attention to the present. As long as he loves and cherishes me presently, that makes me the happiest. As for the future, we shall see what happens then. It’s something that hasn’t happened, after all, so no point fussing over it!”
Just then, the elevator doors opened, and I stepped in with him. He agreed with my sentiments, but he looked at me and murmured, “Sienna, I think you’re being too optimistic and rational. It’s not really a good thing.”
At that, my brows scrunched together. “What kind of love is considered irrational?” Anthony gave me sufficient sense of security, hence the reason for my seemingly rational and calm demeanor.
After pondering for a moment, he replied, “That friend of yours. I think her love is truly irrational. She’s so fanatical about her man that it’s a bit maniacal. I really don’t know how to describe her.”
Which friend of mine?
For a moment, my mind stalled. I couldn’t figure out who he meant, so I stared at him blankly.
Frowning, he explained, “I meant that woman whom you had me pick up at Moranta back then. Well, the one who was particularly noisy and chattered endlessly. Isn’t she the woman who loves Armond to the point of no return?”
Nora?
When I realized who he meant, I couldn’t help sighing. “That’s different. She’s inherently a zealous girl, and she’s love-starved. When she first met Armond, she was initially trying it out with him, but she later invested herself increasingly more into the relationship, so she naturally lost herself.”
Nora truly loved Armond, growing to care for and cherish him all the more. Back when they first got together, she didn’t really care about him all that much, and it didn’t matter even if she lost him. But as time went past, she seemed to have focused all her emotions and feelings on him. The more attention she gave him, the more she became devoted to him.
This is indeed true.
I pursed my lips and said nothing further.
Holden, on the other hand, seemed deep in thought, but I didn’t bother inquiring about it.
When we stepped out of the elevator, I spotted Rachel in the lobby. She was a beautiful woman—the kind of devastating stunner who turned heads and stood out among beauties. Once, I felt that it was a shame that she didn’t become an actress as such a bombshell would definitely be the center of attention in the entertainment industry.
“Oh wow, a goddess!” Holden couldn’t help exclaiming as he noticed Rachel.
Tugging at me, he asked, “Is she an employee here?”
“Anthony recruited her from abroad. She’s responsible for the technical research of AI development, so she’s both a project manager and a researcher. She’s a woman with both brains and beauty,” I replied with my eyes fixed on Rachel.
While we were talking, Rachel looked in our direction. She was a beauty besides being a fashionable woman who was skilled in dolling up. Right then, she was wearing a white shirt and a black leather skirt coupled with a camel coat. It was professional yet not drab, showcasing her perfect figure. Hence, her appearance always attracted much attention.
“It’s been a long time, Ms. Stanhope. You seem to have lost weight!” She gazed at me with a red box in her hand. In turn, I flashed her a smile and replied, “You’ve gotten increasingly beautiful as well.”
At my compliment, she giggled before shifting her gaze to Holden. Then, she turned back to me and inquired, “Who is this gentleman here?”
“This is Mr. Taylor, the president cum chairperson of Moranta International Trading,” I introduced. As I did so, I noticed that the red box in her hand seemed to contain sweets.
After listening to my introduction, her eyes lit up. In the next instance, she greeted, “Nice to meet you, Mr. Taylor. Besides having achieved so much at a young age, you’re also exceedingly handsome. You’re truly an exemplary model for youths today, Mr. Taylor!”
Her remark had Holden guffawing in delight. Gazing at her, he blurted, “You’re really good with words. May I have the honor of knowing your name? And do you mind me asking you out to dinner sometime?”
He smiled brightly at her. His smile was alluring, friendly, and gentle. In fact, it was so dazzling that I couldn’t help wondering whether he was trying to enchant her with his charm.
Looking at him, Rachel smiled faintly as she replied, “You flatter me, Mr. Taylor. I’m Rachel Zimmer, and it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. But don’t worry about dinner since a meeting is destined in itself. I hope that you’ll still be here in K City during my wedding. I’m looking forward to seeing you there!”
As she said that, she took a handful of sweets out of the red box in her hand and placed them into his hand. Then, she even took out a wedding invitation from her handbag and handed it to him. “Do honor me with your presence then, Mr. Taylor!”
Holden was stunned for a moment, and he clicked his tongue while holding the sweets in his hand.
Subsequently, Rachel handed me a bag of sweets and a wedding invitation. Looking at me, she said, “You’ll wish me well, yes? I hope you and Mr. Featherstone will attend my wedding then. I’m looking forward to seeing you both!”
She’s getting married?
That was something that surprised me.
Holding onto the wedding invitation, I froze before saying, “Aren’t you too quick? You’re marrying so soon.”
She gave me a faint smile. “It’s not really. I’m almost thirty, and it’s about time for me to get married. Moreover, I’m lucky to meet someone who loves and adores me. So it’s not too soon. The time is just right.”
Looking at the blissful smile on her face, I could not help but smile at her too. “Then, let me congratulate you on your wedding. We’ll be there on time.”
The smile was still on her face when she handed the wedding invitations to the other coworkers. After Holden and I left, he muttered under his breath, “F*ck, I can’t believe a beautiful woman like her is getting married soon. This is ridiculous. Right as I found a woman whom I’m interested too. What a pity.”
After we got in the car, I rolled my eyes at him. “Can’t you have a semblance of normalcy? You’re treating love as a game. Aren’t you afraid of karma being right around the corner? One day, if you meet a woman you truly love, you might suffer if you keep this up.”
He leaned back on the chair before answering coldly, “That kind of woman you speak of will be someone I’ll never meet. I’m born free, and I live freely. No woman will affect me in this life.”
I kept quiet when I saw his confident look. No one in this world could predict the future, and all we could do was take one step at a time.
I remained quiet as I drove. After all, there was nothing to talk about. When we reached the factory, Holden schooled his features and entered the building with me. Featherstone Corporation did not have many factories, and most were focusing on technological devices. Most of the staff they hired were technicians. Furthermore, in the past two years, most of the work in the factory was done by machinery. Thus, there were few people in the factory.
The one who was in charge of the factory was a middle-aged man in his forties. As we had told him about our visit beforehand, he came to greet us when we reached the doorway. After a brief exchange of greetings, he then brought us to the processing room.
“So far, the batch of products seems fine. I’m here to take a look at them for myself, then I’ll tell the rest back at the Taylors that everything’s fine. We can sign the contract right away, but I have a request—I want to bring some of the samples back. That way, I’ll be able to convince at the board of directors meeting.”
Looking at me, Holden then asked, “Is that all right?”
I nodded. “Sure.”
Anthony had told me about this before that day, and it was a request that was fine with me. After showing him around the factory and answering his questions, the two of us then left the factory.
By the time we left, it was already afternoon. Holden asked, “Aren’t you planning to show me around in K City? Why don’t you bring me to try some specialties in K City?”
Glancing at him, I replied, “In a bit. I’ve arranged a hotel room for you. If there’s anything you need, feel free to call me. I’ll send someone to resolve any issues you have as soon as possible.”
He nodded but then queried, “Can I not live in the hotel?”
“Of course.” As I gripped onto the steering wheel, I continued, “Although the hotel room is reserved for you, you have the freedom to choose whether you live in it or not. There are many nightclubs around the city center. Pretty women, models, and unpopular celebrities often roam the area. Of course, it’s fine if you’re interested in popular celebrities instead. However, that might be a challenge, and it’ll depend on how capable you are.”
He pouted. “Am I that terrible of a person to you? What do you mean by unpopular celebrities and models? Do I look like that kind of person to you? I don’t want to live in the hotel because I want to live in your house. I’ve asked others to send my luggage there. Honestly, is Anthony that stingy? Why isn’t he hiring a housekeeper for such a large house? It’s so big and empty!”
Hearing him, I pursed my lips. “If you’re not used to living in hotels, you can live in our house. I’ll hire a housekeeper.”
Almost immediately, he grinned. “That sounds about right.”
When he saw me driving toward the metropolitan area, he wondered, “Where are you heading to?”
“Didn’t you say you want to try K City’s specialties? I’m bringing you there now. It’s time for lunch. Aren’t you hungry?” When I peeked at him from the corner of my eyes, I realized he was staring at me.
“Let’s skip the specialties. Bring me back to the villa and just make me some simple food. I bear no high hopes for K City’s specialties,” he responded nonchalantly as he leaned back on the chair again.
The corner of my lips twitched in annoyance. Unable to hold myself back, I huffed, “You don’t have some ulterior motives, do you? You’re so eager to go to my house.”
Glancing at me, he chuckled. “What ulterior motives can I possibly have? Even if you gifted me those things in your house, I won’t even want it. What motives can I honestly have? I just want to eat the food you make. Is there something wrong with that? Since the contract is signed, and we’ve done everything that’s necessary, are you planning to let me go back now?”
My brows furrowed. “No. I was just wondering why you suddenly have the craving for the food I make. By the way, how is your mother?” I casually asked.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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