[42]
“You didn’t get poisoned from breakfast, did you?” she asked casually. Her hands were busy cutting the steak that was the meal of the day. She had to spend the morning outside the hotel, fortunately this was Milan where there were many shops she could visit in the morning. Even so, Fania was a bit surprised after meeting Andrew this time. Aside from Andrew’s overly cheerful look, the man kept looking at his cell phone as if there was a treasure there.
“Can you say something nice for me to hear?” Andrew chuckled in annoyance. He put his phone away and went back to enjoying the meal in front of him. “Don’t we have a banquet this afternoon? Why did you choose a heavy menu to fill your stomach.”
Fania sneered. “Whose fault do you think it is that I chose this dish? I should have eaten the spicy chicken sandwich prepared by the chef at the Ford Building restaurant this morning. But since you asked me to lie, there was no way I was going to show up in front of your father alone.”
Andrew grinned. “Thanks for the favor. I won’t forget it and the next time you need the same favor, I’ll repay you right away.”
Fania shook her head lightly. Her shoulder-length hair swayed with her body. Her eyes gazed humorously at the man she was speaking to. “The fee for this morning was expensive, Mr. Kaku. But no matter, I’m quite happy to see you’re much more human than before.”
Andrew’s brow furrowed. “You think I’m a robot?”
The girl burst into laughter. She covered her mouth for fear that her laughter would be too loud. Although there weren’t many customers in this restaurant, she still had to maintain her manners. Fania cleared her throat briefly as she tried to compose herself. She had never expected to be able to talk casually with a man who had previously been stiff and cold. Even just speaking seemed to count the number of words so as not to waste them.
Not to mention his annoying attitude, often at his own pace. fortunately, the three-year engagement only brought them together occasionally. he said it was to familiarize themselves with each other. but who can be forced about matters of the heart and feelings? No one can. Just like Fania who fell in love with Sean’s simplicity. Ah… remembering her boyfriend made her want to return to Manchester immediately.
“Who’s the lucky girl who got your attention?” asked Fania after wetting her throat with the water provided. She chose to drink a lot of water not only to keep herself in shape, but also to realize its importance to her health.
“You don’t need to know,” said Andrew who put another piece of steak into his mouth. He chewed it like he was enjoying himself but he wasn’t, he was just obliged to fill his stomach so as not to cause problems later on. His brain was already drifting thinking of the many pending tasks including how to cancel their wedding.
“So stingy,” Fania said, spluttering in displeasure. “You’re cheating, Mr. Kaku. You know who my lover is but why am I not allowed to know who yours is.”
Andrew’s eating slowed down a little. He put down his spoon slowly, not because he lost his appetite but because the question just now tickled him. Andrew only grimaced slightly in response to Fania’s question. “If I could think of myself as a lover, my heart would be at ease.”
“You were rejected?” asked Fania with a look of disbelief. “Wow… doesn’t she know who rejected her?”
“Noisy!”
Fania scowled but that did not stop the girl from continuing to pry for information. She patted her chest lightly. “If you need a love consultant, you can call me anytime, but we’re still on the same page; undoing our parents’ crazy idea.”
“It’s a must,” Andrew replied matter-of-factly. The last piece of steak went into his mouth and he chewed it quickly. He admitted that most restaurants in Milan offered such rich flavors. Almost all steakhouses, sidewalk cafes, or several food streets scattered at several points, there is nothing that is not appetizing. No wonder many have made Milan the number one tourist destination besides LongIsland, Yazeran, or Manhattan.
“But I don’t need your free service.” Andrew wiped the corner of his lips in case there were any leftovers.
“You’re too much.” Fania laughed without feeling hurt. “I forgot that you’re one of those guys who breaks the hearts of so many girls out there. Handsome but can’t be had, just wants to have fun without any serious intentions. That’s… you, right?”
Andrew’s eyes stared intently at Fania’s figure, who spoke very straightforwardly about herself. Maybe some of what she said was true, but a heartbreaker for girls? Good grief. Andrew rarely had a close enough relationship to be considered a date with some of the girls out there. Maybe if it’s a bedmate just for fun, Andrew doesn’t deny it. He’s a grown man, there are some fun things to do in bed to relieve stress. Without the need for a special bond and seeing the same woman often.
Not like that.
He recalled a conversation with Giselle that might not be easy to get rid of in his mind.
“I don’t have any intention with the gift I gave you. It’s purely as an appreciation because you really worked hard during the quarantine.”
Giselle chuckled. “That’s too much.”
“If it’s too much, you can say so without accusing me of being mean.”
“Nothing is free in this world, Mr. Stalker,” Giselle cut in quickly. The originally adorable look on her face turned cynical and stern. “I’ll return it to your office when we get back.”
“Don’t,” prevented Andrew immediately. “I would be very disappointed if you did that, Giselle. I want you to accept everything sincerely.”
Giselle looked away.
“Next time I’ll let you know if you want to send a gift, but with conditions.”
“Not too much,” Giselle quickly interrupted.
“Okay.” Andrew laughed. “Not much, just one gift that will come when something special comes into your life. As a show of support because I really want you to shine in the place you’re in now.”
Giselle looked closely at the man in front of her. “Whereas before, you wanted to reveal the thing that I was most afraid of in this world. I know that the past cannot be erased in one’s life. He is attached like a scab that doesn’t disappear easily. Even fading cannot be one hundred percent. especially if the person’s past is very bad. And you know where I come from.”Copyright by Nôv/elDrama.Org.
“I told you, I did that to get close to you. I know I was wrong. That’s why I won’t do that to you again. I promise. Everything about your past that I know, I will keep neatly. You can rest easy, trust me.”
Giselle only pulled the corners of her lips slightly. It was not easy for her to say that she trusted this man.
“You have nothing to fear about your past that I know of, Giselle. I mean it. And I’ll always remember, too, if you don’t like too many gifts.”
“I’m just like a winner,” Giselle said quietly.
“The winner in my heart.”
Giselle gave Andrew a sardonic look. “Cut down on your sweet mouth. Me wanting to meet you doesn’t mean agreeing to be approached by you.”
“If I may be told, why am I forbidden from approaching? We’re both adults and I’m sure you know what I mean by approaching.”
Giselle nodded without hesitation. “I know. that’s why I wanted to emphasize something here, besides the gifts of course. I’m thankful for all your deliveries during quarantine. At the very least, those snacks and flowers kept me going through the hard days. As for the gift, I’m trying to understand and accept it because you forced it. But for next time, please… not that much. You and I are just acquaintances, not close friends.”
Andrew nodded in agreement. Whether there were many gifts or not, he could still manage. One gift that represented many gifts could still be arranged. Take it easy, as long as Giselle didn’t forbid it, he could still be as free as possible.
“Most men who approach me just want what I have, Andrew. What I have and what I can do to satisfy their desires. And you… the one who knows and has enjoyed what I can do even from a distance, think… are you just curious or is it sincerity from your heart?”