This time, it was Brian being sent the photos. Looking through all the shots, he smiled quietly. Sometimes Diana’s innocence saved her from knowing people’s darker intentions.
However, Brian was unaware that Carol was also implementing a plan of her own.
Carol had always thought of herself as a beautiful, elegant woman. Hence, she was frustrated at the state of her engagement with Brian. His father was nice to her, but his mother did not treat her well at all.
Carol was having tea with some friends when the gifts she had given Kate were sent back. Carol was furious! Even worse, if it happened in front of her friends, they would surely laugh at her for this later.
Later that day, her maid sent her photos of the situation with Diana.
Looking at those photos, Carol was furious. It was all so unfair! Was Brian simple? Why did he love that girl? In her fury, Carol instantly sent out the photos, as she had done previously.
Of course, Carol didn’t know that Brian already had the pictures. Her plan would not be so effective this time.
Back at the restaurant, Diana decided it was time to get going; after all, she had moved back to work on her thesis, not sit in a restaurant all day.
“You guys can stay and chat here, but I have to go now.”
Antonette had been desperate for Diana to leave. Though she felt painful thinking of the money she had spent, she was happy for the chance to stay with Kyle. It was worth the money to buy a chance to be with him alone.
Unfortunately, she did not foresee that Kyle would also leave too. He smiled and said, “Diana, I will leave with you. I have to borrow a book from the library.”
“Really?” Diana trusted Kyle. She didn’t know it was just an excuse to leave. “That’s great. We can go there together,” she added happily.
Antonette was fuming, but there was nothing she could do except watch Diana and Kyle walk out of the restaurant, chatting excitedly as they went.
On the way to the library, Kyle decided it was time to be bold.
“Diana, why don’t you move out of Brian’s house?” he asked.
“I have moved out. I am busy writing my thesis these days, so it is inconvenient to stay at his house.”
Perfect, Kyle thought, this was his chance. “But I heard you have been quarreling with your roommates. Is that true?”
Diana was embarrassed that Kyle knew about her situation. She squeezed out a smile, “Yes. I have had some disagreements with them. But I have no other choice. I have to be near the school to finish my thesis.”
Kyle was waiting for Diana to say that. He smiled, “I started renting a house a couple of years ago, just outside of the school campus. But now I live in the dormitory for postgraduate students, so I don’t stay there very frequently. If you want to see the house, I can take you there?”
“Really?” Diana was thrilled. She was desperate to move away from her horrible roommates.
“Since we are free, how about going there now?” Kyle suggested. He was keen to get Diana into his place as soon as possible.
“Great!”
Diana knew that Kyle was a gentleman. So, he would definitely be a clean, tidy place. What a wonderful chance for her!
The house where Kyle lived was located at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac. There were two rows of tall trees on either side of the road, with various kinds of flowers planted beneath them. As most of the people living there were senior citizens, it was a very tranquil neighborhood.
“What a fantastic place!” Diana looked around in awe.
Kyle smiled slightly. “Yes, I chose it for its atmosphere and location.”
“Kyle, you are so smart. How did you find such a nice place?” Diana applauded Kyle for his house-hunting skills.
They are outside an old, two-story house.
“Here it is,” Kyle said.
The house was built in an old, traditional style of architecture. The house front was painted white, with red tiles around the windows. It was a beautifully decorated house, typical of an old, rich family.
Diana hadn’t seen a house like this in a long time.
“It looks a bit aged from the outside, but the decoration is nice inside.”
Kyle took out the key and added, “The owner of the house is also a traditional Chinese physician. He is extremely knowledgeable. You should visit him when you are free.”
“Awesome!”
The house really made Diana admire Kyle. The people that owned these houses were serious; it was unbelievable that Kyle had been able to convince him to rent the house.
“Come in, please.” Kyle smiled at Diana and opened the door.
Diana nodded immediately and walked into the house.
The decoration in the house was all in a distinctive, vintage style, it felt like going back in time! There was an old record player, curtains with delicate patterns, a desk made of rare wood, and a wonderfully ornate sofa.
The key bit of information Diana didn’t know was that it was actually Kyle’s grandfather’s house!
“What do you think of it?” Kyle asked.
“It’s amazing!” Diana answered excitedly.
She thought for a while, and then asked, “Kyle, how much would it be if I wanted to rent it for a month?”
Kyle was about to say she didn’t need to pay him anything. Then it occurred to him that Diana’s personality was such that if he said she could live there for free, she wouldn’t move in.
So, Kyle replied, “Well, you can give me $100, and you can stay here until you finish your thesis.”
“$100?” Diana was shocked.
Kyle frowned. “What? Is it too expensive?”
Diana waved her hands at once. “No! Not at all! I just think you are too generous.”
“I use this house to store things, I don’t really live in it. So, I’d feel bad to charge you too much.”
Diana gratefully accepted Kyle’s kind offer.
“I’ll pay you now then,” Diana said and took out her phone to send him the money.
However, just as she was sending the money, the door was pushed open fiercely, and it slammed hard against the wall.