She sat next to the mountain of gifts. She could only see Evan’s profile. But suddenly, her heart started racing.
It wasn’t her first time seeing him. It was her first time seeing him at work. He was wise, humorous, and elegant.
She thought back to when they were trapped in the elevator together. It wasn’t that she didn’t know how to handle an elevator emergency. But when it actually happened, her mind went completely blank. She couldn’t remember a thing.
He, however, stayed calm in the face of danger. His first reaction when the elevator dropped was to reach for the buttons. He pressed them from the bottom up.
She didn’t know what kind of intense training he’d had since childhood. But she understood it wasn’t easy for him to stand where he was. Even if his father was the chairman.
She remembered her mother’s words— If you want something, you have to fight for it.
But facing him, she still felt timid.
Because her mother also said— Love doesn’t always pay off.
Besides, the gap between them wasn’t something you could just jump over.
Aria was smiling. But a layer of loneliness slowly grew in her heart.
At first, she felt excited. But her reason forced her to stop.
The lucky draw was mixed into each performance. While enjoying the show, everyone prayed they’d win the grand prize.
Aria didn’t expect to win anything big. On one hand, she was a newcomer who’d only been working a few days. On the other hand, she wasn’t very lucky.
After the event, everyone happily left work with their prizes.
Aria won the last prize—an induction cooker. She was already very happy. It was perfect for cooking at home.
After receiving the award, everyone went back. Even though Aria was still training in HR, she stayed with her colleagues in the admin department to pack things up. But this time, she remembered to take her bag with her first.
Manager Olivia asked them to put away the things that needed to go into the warehouse. The rest could be cleaned up tomorrow. It was already late, so she let them leave first.
After Aria packed her things, she left work.
Hannah won the second prize this time. She got a phone, and she was in a good mood. She was even nice to Aria.
“Too bad I didn’t win the grand prize!” Hannah sighed.
“No, your phone is beautiful!” Aria comforted her.
“I think so too. Do you like it? I’ll sell it to you cheap!” Hannah immediately laughed and turned to Aria.
“I do, but I don’t have the money to change my phone!” Aria smiled and shook her head. She could barely afford food and clothes now. How could she afford a phone?
“I’m just joking with you. It’s time for me to change my phone anyway. I need to save up!”
“Yeah, you’re lucky!”
“You’re not bad either. You can take that induction cooker home and cook!” Hannah glanced at Aria’s cooker and replied.
“I think so too!” Aria smiled and nodded.
The two of them talked and laughed. They parted ways on the first floor. Hannah drove herself and took the elevator straight to the parking lot.
Aria walked out of the lobby. Then she remembered she hadn’t paid the vice president back yet. She wondered if he had already gone home.
If she got the money first, she could return it to him. But would she make it in time?
Aria hesitated for a moment. She took out her phone and called the vice president’s office number. She didn’t have his personal number.
The phone rang a few times. Aria thought no one would answer and was about to hang up. Then Evan’s voice came through.
Aria spoke awkwardly.
“Hello, Vice President. It’s Aria. I wanted to pay you back for yesterday’s meal. Is it convenient for you?”
“Where are you?” Evan asked on the other end.
“I’m downstairs!”
“Wait for me ten minutes.”
“Oh! Okay.” Aria answered.
After hanging up, Aria started thinking about where the nearest ATM was. Then she remembered the bank where Savannah worked. She could go there and come back in time.
Aria turned around and trotted toward the bank.
She didn’t know how much to pay. She checked her card. There was only a little money left. She took it all out.
She carefully put it into her bag. Then she quickly hurried back.
When she got to the company’s downstairs, her phone rang.
Aria took her phone out of her bag. She was walking fast and breathing hard as she answered.
“Hello—”
“It’s me. Where are you?” Evan heard her rapid breathing and asked, puzzled.
“Vice President, I’m almost there. Sorry to keep you waiting. I’ll be there soon. I just went to get the money.” Aria quickly explained.
“Slow down. I’ll wait for you.” Evan replied.
“Oh.” Aria paused for a moment. Then she answered half a beat late. She didn’t know why, but hearing the vice president say that made her heart skip a beat.
Without putting her phone away, Aria kept walking forward.
When she reached the lobby entrance, she didn’t see the vice president. Just as she was about to go inside, she heard someone call her name.
She turned around. She didn’t see anyone. But there was a sports car parked on the porch.
“Aria, get in the car!” Evan lowered the window and said.
Aria looked down and saw the vice president sitting in the driver’s seat. She answered and opened the door to get in.
After she got in, she realized— What was she doing getting in the car? She just needed to give him the money and go back.
“Vice President, the money—”
“The door isn’t closed. Close it.” Evan said.
“Oh.” Aria turned and closed the door again.
Evan had already driven the car away from the company.
“Vice President, I—” Aria looked at him, confused.
“Let’s get something to eat first. Are you in a hurry to go home?” Evan asked as he drove.
Aria shook her head, then came to her senses.
“No hurry.”
“What would you like to eat?” Evan asked again.
“Eat… Is it okay to eat wonton noodles?” Aria asked hesitantly. If she was treating, that was all she could afford.
“Sure. You lead the way.”
“Huh?”
“I don’t know where the good wonton noodle places are. So you lead the way.” Evan said again.
“I know one, but it’s a bit far from here. Let’s find a snack bar nearby.”
“How far?”
“At least twenty minutes by car.” Aria thought for a moment.
“That’s fine. Where is it?”
Aria didn’t expect the vice president to insist on going there. So she had to lead the way.
Every time she went to that wonton noodle shop, she would order it. But she hadn’t been there since graduation.
She didn’t expect the vice president to be so enthusiastic. She should have just kept quiet about the wonton noodles.
But she didn’t know if there was any good food nearby. After all, she couldn’t afford to eat in this area.
She was glad she won the induction cooker in today’s lucky draw. She could buy some groceries and cook in the dormitory. That way, she could save some money.