Winifred Dawson looked at the smile on Garrison Reeves’ face and immediately knew she had been teased. Pretending to be angry, she said, “Oh, so you dare to trick me.”
Garrison Reeves quickly changed the subject and took Winifred Dawson’s hand again. “Let’s go, I’ll take you around the area to familiarize you with the surroundings and learn a few more paths.”
They visited a nearby mall and walked down the pedestrian street. Garrison Reeves chose a particularly convoluted route, turning here and there, eventually passing through an alley and then another street, crossing a bridge, and arriving near Winifred Dawson’s apartment building.
Garrison Reeves had intentionally taken Winifred Dawson on this complex route, but unexpectedly, she remembered it after just one trip. Moreover, she remained calm and collected when he took her to a mall and a custom tailor, not panicking or standing foolishly aside. She even understood some of the conversation between him and the salespeople.
Apparently, some knowledge was deeply ingrained in her memory, which was reawakened upon contact.
That evening, it was Winifred Dawson who led the way to dinner, guiding Garrison Reeves to a restaurant. She interacted with the owner, and looking at the dishes served, she proudly glanced at him, her smile never waning.
Seeing her in such a good mood, Garrison Reeves couldn’t help but smile too.
Unbeknownst to Winifred Dawson, as she spoke with the owner, Garrison Reeves watched her from behind, his gaze tender. She was also unaware that the owner knew Garrison Reeves. When the owner tried to greet Garrison, Garrison discreetly put a finger to his lips and gestured towards the joyously leading Winifred Dawson, signaling him to let them be.
Thus, the owner engaged Winifred Dawson in conversation, playing along with her.
Initially nervous, Winifred Dawson found the owner’s warmth and hospitality quickly dispelled her concerns. Her confidence grew as she communicated with strangers and received positive feedback.
When the signature dish was served, Winifred Dawson placed a piece of fish in Garrison Reeves’ bowl: “Try this. The owner said this fish is their signature dish and a must-try. He even shared the recipe with me.”
“Could you understand everything he said?”
Winifred Dawson shook her head. “Not everything, but I recognized some words and pieced it together. It must also relate to my past.”
“How is it?” she asked, leaning forward slightly, her eyes fixed on Garrison Reeves, eagerly awaiting his response.
“Delicious.”
“Not that, I mean how did I do today? Can I go out on my own now? When we return home, I can start working, right?”
“Hmm-” Garrison Reeves drew out his response, and Winifred Dawson watched him anxiously, hoping for a satisfactory answer.
“Yes, when we get back, I’ll make arrangements.” He knew he couldn’t keep Winifred Dawson tied to his side forever. Over-restricting someone only breeds resentment.
“I plan to stay abroad for half a month with some work to attend to. While I’m here, I’ll accompany you around. If I’m not, you can go out on your own…”
Garrison Reeves was interrupted by Winifred Dawson’s exclamation: “Really? Can I really go out by myself here? You’re not teasing me again, are you?”
“Of course not, I mean what I say,” Garrison Reeves replied, then added, “But you must be home by eight o’clock, not stay out too long, and not visit places you haven’t been before. Like today, I showed you safe areas you can visit alone. Got it?”
Winifred Dawson nodded, “I remember, I promise I won’t wander off, and I’ll be home before eight o’clock.”
…
Garrison Reeves spent another two days with Winifred Dawson, roaming around. On the third day, Winifred ventured out alone. Garrison had given her a bank card, but she didn’t buy much-mostly food, and only occasionally did she purchase some inexpensive jewelry from the pedestrian street.
She was obedient to Garrison’s words. If she promised to be home by eight, she was usually there by seven. When Garrison came home and found her cooking, he initially thought she hadn’t gone out at all.
Only when he saw the groceries did he realize she had been out to shop that day.
Winifred Dawson had no talent for cooking; the only dish she could manage was scrambled eggs with tomatoes. When it was just the two of them at home, Garrison usually cooked, and at most she would assist. Garrison wouldn’t even let her wash the dishes.
Today, she had bought tomatoes and eggs, planning to make scrambled eggs with tomatoes and a tomato egg soup.
Once Garrison finished his work, he could stir-fry a vegetable dish-of course, this was left for Garrison to do.
The range hood was on high, and the absorbed Winifred didn’t notice Garrison’s return until his hands gently touched her back, startling her to the point of near soul departure. She turned around and, seeing it was Garrison, couldn’t calm her nerves, still in a state of shock, her face slightly pale.
“Did I scare you?”
“You scared me to death. How could you come back so quietly?”
“It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have surprised you like that. I just wanted… to give you a surprise.”
“A surprise?” Winifred Dawson then noticed the box in Garrison’s hand.
Seeing that Winifred finally looked, Garrison opened the box, revealing a blue diamond necklace with a blue gemstone pendant-beautiful and clearly expensive.
“For me?” No woman dislikes beautiful jewelry, and Winifred naturally adored such gemstone jewelry.
“Do you like it?”
Her eyes fixed on it, Winifred nodded, “I like it.”
“Let me put it on for you.”
Obediently, Winifred turned around, and Garrison placed the necklace around her neck. The cool touch made her shiver slightly as she touched the blue gemstone.
“Winifred, be my fiancee?”
Winifred, surprised, turned her head, “Haven’t I always been your fiancee?”
“No, I mean a fiancee for marriage, the kind you will never fall in love with anyone else… In other words, will you marry me?” Garrison watched her carefully, his heart uneasy as he awaited her response. Suddenly, he felt a cool forehead touch-Winifred, full of concern, was feeling his forehead.
From her expression, one could read the unspoken words.
This person must have a fever; has it fried his brain?
“My brain isn’t feverish, no need to touch anymore,” Garrison said with a laugh.
“A fiancee is definitely for marriage. What are you thinking? Besides, who else could I love, or be with?”
“Shall we get married next spring equinox?”
“Why choose that date? Does it have a special meaning?”
Now in August, the spring equinox was in March, seven months away. Seven months was enough preparation time, and Winifred didn’t want to make Garrison wait too long. She feared failing to meet this man’s deep affection.