Cristofer wasn’t down with that idea. “She looks like she’s struggling financially,” he said. “If I fire her, I’m afraid she’ll have a tough time making ends meet.”
“What kind of life she will live has nothing to do with you. Cristofer, don’t be so soft-hearted.”
“Uncle Nelson, I’m not soft-hearted. I just think I shouldn’t lose my conscience,” Cristofer answered, leaning against his swivel chair.
Nelson scoffed. “Conscience? What’s the point of having one?”
“Cristofer, do you still believe that there’s a woman out there who will love you completely? Don’t entertain such thoughts. Women are heartless. Take Estelle as an example. You…”
“Uncle Nelson!” Cristofer erupted, unable to tolerate it any longer. He interrupted Nelson, his tone wrapped with anger. “We’re discussing business matters here. Let’s not involve others.”
From the other end of the line, Nelson detected something wrong in Cristofer’s behavior and inquired, “Cristofer, did you come across Estelle?”
“She’s the mother of my children. If I want to see my kids, I inevitably encounter her.”
“Are you trying to reconcile with her?”
“No, I hadn’t fulfilled my responsibilities while my children were growing up. Estelle was the one who took care of them. As my children’s father, I should make up for it. Uncle Nelson, you saved me twice. I will be deeply grateful to you for your kindness for the rest of my life. I’ll help you manage your company and let you live a life of ease in your retirement. As for other things, don’t bother about them, will you?”
Upon hearing this, Nelson grew agitated, his breathing hastening. “Cristofer, you must understand that she doesn’t love you anymore.”
“I know it.”
“She has fallen in love with another man.”
“I know this fact, too.”
“If you’re aware of it, why are you persisting irrationally?” Nelson asked.
“I…” Cristofer paused, a bitter smile forming. “Uncle Nelson, you can be at ease. She has no love left for me and avoids even glancing in my direction. We won’t reconcile anymore.”
****
It was already nine o’clock at night, and Eva hadn’t got off work.
With a cup of coffee in her hand, she came into Cristofer’s office and put the coffee cup on the desk. “Mr. Hans, do you need me to order some night snacks for you?” she asked gently.
Standing by the French window, Cristofer was looking outside with a dead cigarette between his fingers. The floor around him was full of cigarette ash.
“No, thanks. I’m not hungry,” he murmured.
“Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“No.”
“Go it. Then, is there anything else I can do for you?” Eva asked.
Without responding to her, Cristofer stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray and turned around deliberately.
Coughing lightly from the lingering smoke, Eva asked in astonishment, “Mr. Hans, how many cigarettes have you consumed?”
Cristofer then glanced down at the ashtray and roughly counted the cigarette butts. He estimated he had smoked around three packs of cigarettes.
“You haven’t left work yet?” Cristofer inquired, massaging his throbbing temples.
“I figured you might have some immediate tasks for me, so I stayed here,” she explained.
Cristofer shut down the computer, grabbed his phone, and exited the office. “Let’s head out. Work hours are over.”
“Mr. Hans, am I free to leave now?” Eva’s delight was evident.
“Drive me home.”
“… Okay.”
It was the second time that Eva had driven a Maybach.
The small, enclosed space was filled with the strong smell of smoke from Cristofer’s body. It was so strong that she felt like she was going to be sick. As soon as she got in the car, she rolled down all the windows for fresh air.
Cristofer was in the back seat, eyes closed, and taking a nap. The cold wind blew in, and he shivered. “What are you doing?” he asked, annoyed.
“The smoke odor is quite overpowering,” Eva mentioned. “Mr. Hans, the smell of smoke is really getting to me.”
Cristofer kept his eyes closed and remained in a state of repose. “Shut the windows.”
“… Alright,” Eva responded to his request.
With that, she initiated the car’s engine and departed from the parking area.
“Mr. Hans, could you please provide me with your address?” Eva inquired.
“No. 369 of Peach Blossom Road.”
“You live in the outer suburbs?”
“Yes.”
Eva then muttered something.
Cristofer didn’t hear her clearly and asked with a frown, “What did you say?”
“I said, rich folks lead a completely different life from the rest of us. You live so far from the office, and it’s at least an hour’s drive to get here. If it were me, I’d prefer to stay closer to work, allowing for more sleep each day.”
‘I also want to sleep longer. However, I can’t even sleep every night,’ Cristofer thought.
“By the way, what’s your name?” he inquired abruptly.
“Eva. I’m called Eva Stock,” she replied with a hint of resignation.
Cristofer nodded, repeating her name before posing another question. “Eva, do you find me hard to deal with?”
Eva scratched her nose and met his gaze from the rearview mirror with a somewhat guilty expression. “No, no, no. You are the elite of the elites in Hadale. It’s an absolute privilege to be your secretary! People would be envious if they knew I worked for you!”
“Give me an honest response,” Cristofer insisted.
“Yes…” Eva said in a low voice.
Hearing her answer, Cristofer felt helpless and asked with a wry smile, “Since I’m a difficult person, why do you still work for me?”
“Because the salary you provide is quite generous!” Eva answered candidly. “I’m short of money.”
“Why do you need money? Are you planning to buy a house?”
“No, it’s not that. I need the money to search for someone.”
“Who?”
“My boyfriend.”
“Is he missing?”
“Well, you could say that,” Eva expressed with a touch of exasperation in her tone. “He messaged me, saying he no longer loves me and has found someone new. He wished for me to find my own Mr. Right soon and requested that I shouldn’t find him.”
Cristofer suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu, recalling that Estelle had spoken similar words to him earlier today.
This realization caused Cristofer to shake his head in bemused resignation, a wry smile touching his lips.
“But I’m not entirely convinced by everything he said,” Eva carried on. “I’ve known him for over a decade, and our bond runs deep. It’s impossible that he doesn’t love me anymore.”
Somehow, Cristofer sensed a glimmer of hope rekindling inside him.
“Do you think he still loves you?” he asked.