Areli took a fifteen-minute shower, changed into clean clothes, and then went downstairs with Darnell.
She maintained a proud and aloof demeanor, trying to build her defenses and hide her embarrassment from the massage. Darnell’s skillful hands had not only made her sweat but also dampened her underwear, making Areli feel somewhat awkward. However, she was pleasantly surprised by Darnell’s massage, which had relieved all her fatigue more effectively than ten cups of coffee.
This man had some extraordinary abilities.
While Areli was lost in thought, Darnell was half a step behind, admiring her graceful figure. He hummed a tune while staring at Areli, reverting to his true nature. He had already seen her ample bosom. Now he noticed her full and round hips, slender waist, and long legs. Her figure was perfect. A woman excelling in these four aspects would be any man’s dream, even if she were plain-looking. However, Areli wasn’t unattractive at all.
Darnell whistled silently, thinking, “She is really something. It seems coming back this time was the right decision.”
“Why are you dawdling behind?” Areli found it frustrating to talk to Darnell, but his silence made her uneasy, as if he had ulterior motives.
Darnell retracted his intrusive gaze and casually gave an excuse with a smile. “Ladies first.”
Areli scoffed, taking out her car keys from her handbag. She pressed a button, and a car in the distance beeped. Darnell’s eyes lit up as he quickened his pace to walk alongside Areli, his smile growing brighter. “A Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet, about three hundred thousand dollars. It’s astronomical for ordinary folks but not fitting for someone like you.”
“Spectrum Pharmaceuticals is huge. As the branch manager, with your annual salary and bonuses totaling millions, you should be driving a Bugatti Veyron.”
Areli was stunned and looked ahead. Although her car was only about ten meters away, it was blocked by a Mercedes and a parking pillar, making it impossible to see the car’s full view or logo from this angle.
How did this man see her car?
It was also impossible for Darnell to have done prior research since she drove this car here today, and no one at the company knew about it. She glanced at Darnell, asking, “How did you know my car model?”
Darnell replied leisurely, “Is there a reward for telling you?”
Areli’s face turned cold. “Forget it if you don’t want to say it. Stop playing tricks.”
Soon, she led Darnell to the car, opened the door, and sat in the driver’s seat. Just as she was about to tell Darnell to sit in the back, he quickly ran to the passenger side, got in, fastened his seatbelt efficiently, and exclaimed, “New cars are always so comfortable.”
“No wonder people always like the first time…”
Areli scorned him, “You’re so full of shit!”
Darnell laughed nonchalantly, “Women have a penchant for my frivolous demeanor.”
“You’re such a jerk.” Areli reminded him sternly, “Remember not to mention anything about what happened in the office to outsiders.”
Darnell asked curiously. “You mean the fainting or you getting wet?”
“All of it. Keep it all to yourself.” Areli wanted to kick him out of the car but remembered she needed him to deal with another jerk. She suppressed her anger and stepped on the gas pedal. The car sped off.
Darnell chuckled, “That depends on your performance.”
Areli didn’t respond but pressed harder on the gas pedal as the car roared down the road. After driving about five kilometers, she saw Darnell leaning against the window and watching women outside. Helpless, she shook her head. What a scoundrel.
She wondered what bad luck had brought this nemesis into her life.
However, thinking about using him against some ruffians made her smile slightly.
Areli drove quickly. In less than fifteen minutes, they arrived at a luxurious building. After parking the Porsche, she led Darnell straight to the top floor. The 68th-floor Cityscape was the most luxurious Western restaurant in Whiteville, known for its best view, and was always fully booked.
Seeing this high-end place made Darnell happy. He praised Areli for being sincere with this meal invitation.
Before Areli could say anything, he said that he needed to use the restroom. Areli sighed but said nothing as she walked into the dimly lit restaurant. It seemed someone had reserved it for tonight. Ten well-dressed waiters stood on either side without any other guests around.
Seeing Areli appear, they greeted respectfully, “Good evening, Miss Fanshaw.”
As Areli nodded in response, a manager came forward and said politely, “Miss Fanshaw, Mr. Kemp is waiting inside. This way, please.”
Areli nodded and instructed one of the waiters, “I have a colleague named Darnell who went to the restroom. When he arrives later, let him come directly inside.”
The waiters responded in unison, “Yes.”
The manager led Areli to the center of the hall where usually twenty-eight tables could be placed. Tonight, there was only one round table with exquisite tableware surrounded by roses and candles, with a band and pianist behind them.
Amidst this sea of flowers and candles stood a handsome young man in a white suit.
The atmosphere was very romantic, especially with flowing music that could melt many women’s hearts.
“Areli, you’re here.” As Areli coldly observed this romantic scene before her, the handsome young man stepped forward with a smile. He had a tall nose bridge and blue eyes, six feet tall with some resemblance to Tom Cruise. As he snapped his fingers, a bouquet of red roses appeared in his hand as he smiled,
“I reserved this entire restaurant tonight, so we could have dinner together peacefully.”
“And so you can quietly listen to my explanation and confession.”
“These are your favorite roses. I had them flown in, hoping you’d like them.”
Without waiting for Areli’s response, he waved his hand lightly. Two long banners unfurled from above.
“Areli, I love you!”
“Till death do us part!”
Then twenty-plus men and women in black emerged from both sides. They were all their friends.
As the group in black appeared, four other people pushed carts filled with roses while David held another large bouquet, stepping forward and saying,
“Areli, I love you!” David took another step forward, kneeling down halfway towards Areli, and declared, “I was seduced by Ashley, committing mistakes any man would make. I don’t like her at all. It was just fun, and I’ll never see her again. Please forgive me, Areli.”
“I love only you.”
“To show my sincerity, I’m confessing my love in front of all our friends.”
“Areli, will you be my girlfriend?”
He continued speaking without regard for Areli’s embarrassed expression when several pretty girls began shouting,
“Areli, David’s serious! Say yes!”
Others joined in chanting. “Say yes!”
The waiters and the manager also clapped along, echoing, “Say yes!”
Amidst fragrant flowers, David seemed very sincere and affectionate while his white suit shimmered brightly.
Watching this scene unfold made Areli’s face turn pale. David’s affectionate eyes along with the cheering made her feel unsure of how to handle it properly. Accepting this jerk’s apology was absolutely impossible, yet outright rejection seemed cruel…
She didn’t like David and even found him somewhat repulsive, but she also didn’t want to provoke him, since Whiteville was a small circle. Avoiding each other forever wasn’t feasible.
Clearly, David and his group had planned everything well. As Areli hesitated, their cheers grew louder, echoing throughout the hall repeatedly.
“Say yes to David!”
They knew well enough about Areli’s kindness and believed she wouldn’t dare publicly reject David.
Under such pressure, they were sure she’d nod in agreement.
At that moment, the band started to play something mellow and soft.
David Kemp produced a lighter before saying, “Areli, here’s flame representing my love for you, hot and bright.”
Then he lit a nearby white candle.
These candles were interconnected. Lighting one ignited others. They rapidly illuminated the hall, the light forming a heart shape, a romantic gesture to many women.
Several women exclaimed excitedly, “Wow, so romantic!”
“Ah, fire!”
Just as candles illuminated the surroundings, someone burst through, dousing the fire while exclaiming,
“Fire! Put out the fire!”
In a few seconds, several candles went out.
Next, the person grabbed a fire extinguisher and pressed the button, putting out the remaining flames.
Agape, Areli watched Darnell stomp on the flames and flowers, turning everything into a complete mess.
David was drenched, holding the ruined roses with a stunned expression.
The waterproof lighter weakly flickered the flame.
The person sprayed the final flicker with the fire extinguisher.
What a mess.