Summer had been thinking about cooking dinner for “Douglas”. After all, a promise was a promise. But, ever since arrived at the mall, her colleagues had been dragging her from shop to shop.
When the last light approached, Summer made up an excuse and said, “I’m dog-tired. Let’s find a place to sit down.”
So, they found a place and bought some drinks.
Summer took out her phone and saw two missed calls from “Douglas”. Her experience told her that “Douglas” was not a person of patience.
She could almost imagine how angry he was while he tried to fight it back after he was forced to call her twice.
Summer stood up. “Please excuse me. I have to go. I have something going on. Thank you for today. I’ll make it up with lunch or dinner later.”
Once she was out of the mall, she headed straight to the bus stop as she called “Douglas” back. It only rang twice before he picked up the phone.
“Where are you?”
His voice was naturally low. But when he was not in the mood, it would sound even drearier.
Summer felt chills on her neck. She reached out to touch it, saying, “I’m outside but I’m coming back now. Find yourself something to eat first if you’re hungry.”
“I’m asking you where you are,” he repeated, his voice impatient with anger.
Summer looked back and told “Douglas” the name of the mall. Since he tossed the Black Card in front of her the last time, she did not dare provoke him again.
Summer got to her feet and doubled back to the mall’s entrance to wait for “Douglas”. It did not take long before she saw his car. She was about to walk over when someone called her.
“Summer, you’re still here!”
Summer froze. She looked back and saw her colleagues whom she was shopping with just now.
“Oh, I-”
Before she could finish, “Douglas” cut her off.
“Summer, get in.”
Leonardo pulled his car up next to her, wound down the window, and looked at her with very little expression on his face.
Her colleagues’ eyes were on stalks. Summer thought that was it.
She turned her head, looking at “Douglas” and forcing a smile. “I may be younger than you, but I’m still your elder cousin’s wife.”
Leonardo tilted his head, glancing at Summer’s colleagues. He cocked an eyebrow, sounding impatient. “Get in.”
Summer was starting to sense his annoyance. Fearing that he would do something stupid again, she looked at her colleagues and said, “He’s my husband’s cousin. He was nearby and came to fetch me home. See you guys.”
Not wanting to stay any longer, she opened the door and hopped into the car.
When “Douglas” fired up the engine, Summer looked into the side mirror and saw her colleagues talking excitedly about something.
She sighed, looking over at “Douglas”. “How did you get here so quickly? Are you working nearby?”
“Douglas” ignored her.
She looked away and out of the window. It was not that she wanted to talk to him anyway.
…
Back at home, Summer went into the kitchen and started to cook. A few days ago, she had found out what “Douglas” liked and disliked; he loved everything spicy.
After dinner, they went back to their respective rooms. After a bath, Summer lay on her bed and video-called Jessica, who appeared in a full set of ancient clothing with ancient-style buildings and background to match.
“You’re still shooting in the city?”
“Yup, I’m having a night shoot.” Jessica went to a quiet corner and spoke in a low voice, “Guess who my partner is today?”
“Who?” A name came to mind, and Summer said, “Is it Adams Wilson? Isn’t he studying abroad?”
“Bingo!” Jessica sounded excited. “It seems that the director knows the award-winning actor, and he invited him for a guest appearance. We’ll be acting together in a few scenes, and I’m nervous as hell right now. What should I do?”
“I don’t know. I’m nervous too.” Summer pursed her lips. Adams Wilson was the youngest actor ever to win the Best Actor Award.
Summer had been his biggest fan for eight years. She then heard someone calling out on the other end of the line, “Jessica, come over. We’re going to start shooting now.”
“Right away,” answered Jessica. She then said to Summer, “I have to go now. I’ll get you his autograph-a nude photo if possible. I’ll try.” Then, the line went dead.
Summer was dumbstruck. She would never be as sleazy as Jessica, she thought to herself.
…
The next morning, when Summer arrived at the office, she received strange stares from her colleagues. She saw it coming and could not care less.
Stone Green had been very quiet for the past few days, and he stayed clear of Summer. Perhaps he had learned his lesson.
It was not until Friday that he brought a man to look for her. “You two will go out there to carry out a market survey. It’s Friday today, and I need the report by Monday.”
The man was tall and appeared guileless. Summer glanced at the man; she had never seen him before. As there were many people in the Marketing Department and Summer had only been there a few days, she did not give it a second thought.
The two of them left the office and waved down a cab.
“Is this on the company?” Summer asked.
“You bet.” The man glanced at her with a weird expression.
Summer was now on alert. She looked outside the window and realized that the cab was heading toward the outskirts.
She had read the materials; the product they were going to launch was a household product, and their target should be the residential areas.
As the cab passed by a pharmacy, Summer closed her eyes. She bit her lips and frowned as if she was in pain. “Please stop the car for a while. I need to buy some stuff.”
The man asked, “What are you buying?”
“Ibuprofen.” Summer glanced at him. “You know, that time of the month.”
The man processed what she said for a moment before he got what she meant. “I’ll go with you.”
“Okay.” Summer knew that even if she refused, he would still find a way to stop her from getting out of the car. She was now sure that Stone Green had sent the man to take revenge on her.
Summer entered the pharmacy with the man following her closely. She bought what she wanted and slowly walked toward the exit. Right then, a man wearing a baseball cap and a mask came in. He had his hand over his mouth as he coughed. As he walked past, Summer reached out to grab his arm, looking surprised. “My cousin, what a surprise to see you here!”
The man who was wearing the mask was stunned. He then raised his cap a little, revealing a pair of familiar gentle eyes.