Matthew couldn’t evade, and Dolores fell right into him.
Her forehead collided painfully with his chin, and her lips brushed against something stiff protruding from his body. The sensation felt familiar yet distant.
Dolores, momentarily stunned, quickly regained her senses and got up. Then she realized that her lips had touched Adam’s apple. She pressed her head against her forehead in pain, her face burning hot from embarrassment.
The unexpected contact also left Matthew dazed, and he slowly looked up at her. “If I’m a pervert, then what does that make you?”
Before Dolores could reply, he sat up deliberately, adjusted his collar, and touched the spot where Dolores had accidentally kissed.
He burst into laughter. “We’re husband and wife. If you want to kiss me, just say it outright. I’m not so petty.”
Dolores was speechless. Did he really think she wanted to kiss him? It was an accident!
“I don’t want to kiss you!” Dolores snapped her head around and swiftly left the living room.
Matthew remained seated on the sofa, feeling hurt by her words, and sarcastically called after her. “Then who do you want to kiss?” He scoffed. “The man who fathered your child?”
In that moment, all her fear and shame were exposed in their full glory. She didn’t want to discuss how she became pregnant, but the harsh way Matthew mentioned it tore her heart open painfully. She was shattered, but she kept a strong front.
“Of course. I love the father of my child.”
‘God, this woman is something else!’
“Ms. Flores, have you forgotten that you owe me something?” Matthew stood up, smoothed out his shirt, raised his head slowly, and looked at the petrified Dolores. “I need a translator. Come to the office and start working tomorrow.”
That was all he wanted for the land contract. It was for the best; she would repay him for the land contract and wouldn’t owe him a favor.
“Okay,” she replied and pushed open the door to her room.
Her face burned with the memory of what had just happened. She didn’t leave her room until Coral informed her that dinner was ready, worried about running into Matthew. Even then, she really didn’t want to leave her room.
Matthew was already seated at the dining room table as Coral served dinner. Dolores walked over and began eating, keeping her gaze fixed on her plate, refusing to look in Matthew’s direction.
The tension in the dining room became so thick that Coral couldn’t bear their behavior. They were husband and wife, yet they acted like strangers. She brought a plate of roasted broccoli and placed it in front of Dolores.
“Master likes to eat this,” she whispered.
Matthew preferred mild and vegetable dishes. Coral knew his preferences well after taking care of him for a long time. Dolores was bewildered and didn’t understand what Coral meant. She thought Coral should have placed the dish in front of him since he liked it.
Coral glared at her and signaled for her to serve Matthew the vegetables. Dolores understood the message and realized it took her too long to grasp Coral’s intention.
Dolores had no choice but to serve Matthew the vegetables and placed them on his plate. Matthew looked up, and Dolores smiled involuntarily. She couldn’t help it, as Coral was urging her on. Coral simply wished to see them happily married, just as the late Madam Nelson had wanted.
Matthew slowly picked up the roasted broccoli and waved it in front of his nose. “Coral always knows what I like to eat.”
Coral laughed. “The missus will understand in due course. She’s new here and still learning.”
Coral changed the way she addressed Dolores. Previously, she would call her Ms. Flores. Although Coral wasn’t thrilled that Dolores hadn’t come home for the night, she was someone chosen by Madam Nelson for the young master. Naturally, she wished for their relationship to grow stronger, so as not to disappoint the late Madam.
Dolores choked upon hearing Coral address her as “the missus” and lowered her head even more. She quickly finished her food and barely touched her water. “I’m finished. Please enjoy your meal.” She excused herself and returned to her room.
“What’s the matter with her?” Coral asked, surprised.
Matthew stared at Dolores’ slender figure and grinned sinisterly. “She must not be accustomed to your peacemaking.”
Coral sighed. “Wasn’t it all for you?” She turned to leave.
Only Matthew remained in the spacious dining room. The light from the chandelier above sparkled and enveloped him. He picked up another piece of broccoli and chewed on it slowly…
Dolores left the house just as Matthew was heading to work. Since she had agreed to work at the company, she needed to make a trip to the restaurant to quit her current job.
As she changed her shoes, Coral approached her. “You’re going out?”
Dolores nodded.
“Come home early and don’t spend the night out. You’re a married woman,” Coral reminded her.
“I won’t,” Dolores assured, slipping on her shoes and leaving.
Since there was no public bus service near the villa, she hailed a taxi to take her to the restaurant.
Dolores had to take a leave of absence from her new job to start working there, and now she had to resign.
The manager was extremely upset. “Why did you apply for the job if you weren’t committed to working here? You’re really inconveniencing us.”
Dolores felt deeply apologetic. “I’m sorry, truly sorry.”
Before the manager could respond, a member of the waitstaff entered, informing them that they were overwhelmed with an influx of customers.
The manager turned to Dolores. “Help us out today, and you can leave after the rush hour.”
“Okay,” Dolores agreed, displaying professionalism.
She went to change into her uniform. It was an exceptionally busy day.
“When you’re ready, take these to room 88,” the chef instructed Dolores as she went to collect the dishes.
Dolores nodded, placing the plates onto her serving tray, and proceeded to the room.
Balancing the tray with one hand, she used the other to open the door. The room was well-lit, spacious, and private. Only two people sat at the round redwood table, and she recognized one of them-Matthew.
They were both taken aback by the unexpected encounter.
Kenneth Tyrone, the head of HSBC, was engaged in a conversation with Matthew and paused when the door opened. Dolores lowered her head and served the plates from her tray.
“The waitresses at Lan-Kwai are getting younger and younger,” Kenneth remarked, his eyes scanning Dolores from head to toe.
Dolores felt violated and attempted to leave after serving the plates, but Kenneth stopped her. He glanced at Matthew and smirked.
“Let her stay and serve us wine.”
Matthew forced a smile to conceal his displeasure. “Mr. Tyrone, do you understand what we are discussing?” He then looked at Dolores expectantly. “We don’t need you.”
Dolores swiftly departed with her serving tray.
Abbott, who had been standing behind Matthew, frowned at Dolores’ presence. Why was she working there? What would people think if they knew about her relationship with Matthew? How would it affect Matthew’s reputation? Abbott’s disdain for Dolores grew stronger.
“Lan-Kwai Restaurant certainly knows how to boost their business. The food is delicious, and now the waitresses are increasingly attractive. Just like that waitress earlier. Her fair skin and slim waist are truly captivating,” Kenneth commented.
“Mr. Tyrone, let me serve you the wine,” Abbott interjected promptly.
Kenneth noticed Matthew’s darkened expression and quickly laughed it off. “I got sidetracked.”
Dolores let out a long sigh once she exited the room. She had never expected to run into Matthew so soon after he had left the house that morning.
After the peak business period had passed, the manager agreed to let Dolores leave. She changed out of her uniform and walked out of the restaurant, only to spot Abbott standing at the entrance, his expression filled with hostility.
He glared at her coldly. “Mr. Nelson is waiting for you. Let’s go.”
Dolores followed him out.
“Mom, I saw a dress at Chanel. Can we go back and buy it for me after we eat?” Annabelle clung to Beulah’s arm and approached them.
“Of course! My daughter deserves the best,” Beulah exclaimed happily.
Mother and daughter laughed joyfully as they headed toward Lan-Kwai Restaurant.
Dolores paused, watching them.