Chapter 18 Departure
Lisette returned to the apartment to find Gary inside.
As she entered, Gary approached her with a smile. “You’re back.”
Lisette noticed the apron he was wearing. “What’s that for?”
“Oh, I was eager for you to try my cooking. I thought you might enjoy tasting it and seeing how it turns
out.”
The aroma drifting from the kitchen was tempting. Lisette looked down, her expression softening. “Alright.”
Half an hour later, the table was set with an impressive spread of dishes, artfully arranged.
The presentation hinted at a delightful meal.
Gary served her a portion of barbequed wings. “I made it with my mom’s secret recipe, thought you might like it. Give it a taste.”
Lisette took a bite.
Gary watched her anxiously. “How is it?”
“It’s very good.”
“Really?” His eyes brightened with hope.
Lisette nodded earnestly. “Really.”
“Great. Help yourself to more.”
Gary continued to serve her, visibly pleased that Lisette enjoyed the meal.
When Lisette began to clean up, Gary stopped her. “You shouldn’t handle cold water. Let me take care of it.”
“I can use hot water,” she suggested.
“No, it’s fine. Let me handle it. I can manage these chores.
“Go sit down.”
Reluctantly, Lisette sat on the sofa, observing Gary’s busy movements in the kitchen.
Initially, she felt fortunate to have met someone so kind, but her perspective was shifting.
No one would be nice without reason, especially someone as remarkable as Gary.
She realized that Gary had feelings for her.
Although hard to believe, she had to accept the reality.
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“I’m getting used to it.”
Lisette looked at him. “Gary, I’m leaving.”
Gary’s smile faltered and then vanished.
“You’re not fully recovered. Where are you going?”
“Home.”
“Home?” Gary recalled her previous life and nodded.
“Where do you live? I’ll give you a ride.”
“No, I’ll manage. Just give me a bank account number, and I’ll repay you when I start working.”
Gary sensed Lisette creating distance between them. He clenched his fists, taking a moment before asking, “Do you really have to leave?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“3.00 PM.”
That afternoon, Lisette boarded a flight back to Oceana. Gary stood at the airport, his hands clenched as he watched her departure.
Two years later.
At Fentine’s fashion design department, on the thirty–fifth floor.
Lisette had her long hair loosely pinned with a pencil as she sketched intently on a piece of paper, so absorbed that she didn’t even brush her hair behind her ear.
Suddenly, a rose appeared in front of her, tickling her nose.
Lisette sneezed.
“Oh my God! Lisette, how could you disregard my heartfelt gesture like this?” Frank exclaimed dramatically in his accented Borovian, his expression exaggerated.
Lisette rubbed her nose and looked at him helplessly. “Frank, I’m really busy.”
Frank Parsons, a mixed–race man with Eastern features and blue eyes, was charming and deeply sentimental.
He was second–in–command at Fentine, with his sister being the top boss.
Despite his playboy reputation, he was also highly business–savvy.
A year ago, he had noticed her design in a competition, recruited her to Fentine, and pursued her.
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Chapter 18 Departure
+5 Pearls
But upon discovering she was more traditional than he had anticipated, he settled for being good friends.
“Busy, busy, busy. Every time I see you, you’re busy, Lisette. Is this really how it should be?” Frank sat on her desk and leaned in close, his blue eyes full of captivating depth.
Lisette remained unaffected by his charm, her gaze steady.
As he leaned in closer, she covered his mouth with her hand and pushed him away.
“If you want the summer collection ready soon, you’ll need to stop distracting me.”
Frank clutched his chest in mock pain. “Lisette, you’re really breaking my heart.”
Lisette smiled. “You didn’t come here just to tease me, did you?”
Frank gave her a playful wink. “Lisette, you’re the only one who truly understands me.”
Turning around, he sat in a chair, spinning it to face her. “Tonight, come with me to the Golden Hour Bar to meet a client.”
