Johnny hadn’t drunk much, but he’d gone through an entire pack of cigarettes.
After the party, he led the girl in the white dress out of the bar. Next door was the hotel where Kelvin had booked a room.
Johnny flicked the room key out of his pocket with his fingers and tossed it to her. “You go up first. I’m going to buy a pack of cigarettes.”
The girl kept her head down, too shy to look at him. “Okay…”
Maybe her high heels were uncomfortable, because she walked slowly, pausing every now and then.
Johnny rubbed his chin, went to the convenience store next door to buy a pack of cigarettes, and lit one as he walked back to the hotel.
The streetlight nearby was flickering, casting his sharp profile in alternating light and shadow.
Before heading up, he glanced at his phone. There were messages from his parents asking him to come over tomorrow, some documents from his secretary that needed his attention, and… that message from the Prosperity Holdings executive.
Johnny squinted at the screen. The address was for an old neighborhood in Northville City, quite far from Prosperity Holdings. It didn’t seem like a place Tilda would rent-more like… her parents’ house.
But why was he even thinking about this?
He shoved his phone back into his pocket and strode into the hotel.
He knocked on the door twice with his knuckles, and the girl opened it, still looking shy, her face and ears flushed.
Johnny walked in and sat on the edge of the bed, looking at her. “What’s your name?”
“Talita…”
“Kaff kaff-” Johnny nearly choked on his cigarette smoke!
“What did you say your name was?!”
The girl flinched at his sudden outburst, shrinking back. “My name is Talita…”
“Of all the people I could’ve picked!” Johnny rubbed his temples, suddenly irritated. “Why are you always hiding? Your voice is so soft I can barely hear you. If you don’t want to be here, you can leave.”
“No, Mr. Chow…” Talita quickly said, “I… Today’s my first time at Shady Night.”
“And?”
“I… I’ve never had a boyfriend before…”
At this, Johnny finally looked at her properly.
Though she was wearing a tight, curve-hugging dress and had a good figure, there was an undeniable awkwardness about her. Her high heels had already rubbed her skin raw, and the redness looked unnatural.
“A virgin?”
“Yes…”
Johnny stood up immediately and pulled out his phone. “Give me your bank account number.”
Talita was stunned. “Wh-why?”
“Just give it to me!”
“Okay.”
Johnny, cigarette still dangling from his lips, transferred a sum of money to her account. Then he pinched the cigarette between his fingers. “You can go. I don’t mess with virgins. It’s not my thing.”
Talita stared at the money, then at Johnny, completely confused. “Mr. Chow, I didn’t come with you for the money…”
“Then what? For love?” Johnny laughed, sitting back down and propping himself up on one arm, teasing her. “Sweetheart, I’m just here to have fun.”
Talita suddenly burst into tears, big drops rolling down her cheeks.
“I really liked you. That’s why I came with you willingly. It wasn’t for the money. I’ll transfer it back to you!”
Seeing how genuine she seemed, Johnny immediately stood up and stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray.
“Forget about liking me. I have a girlfriend.”
“I’m leaving. You can stay in the room if you want, or leave. Goodbye, sweetheart!”
This was the first time Johnny left a woman in a hotel room and walked out alone.
He got back into his car and, almost involuntarily, glanced at the message from the Prosperity Holdings executive again.
Maybe he should… go take a look at Tilda’s parents’ place.