My mother said this was a dowry she had prepared for me in advance. If I didn't need to spend it, I could just save it for now.
I couldn't talk my mother out of it. So I had to put it in my bag without asking how much was inside.
This was my mother's wish. I would accept it.
An hour passed quickly. My mother and I chatted for a while, but soon we would have to part. I didn't know when we would see each other next.
But my mother was getting remarried soon. I would attend her wedding. It shouldn't be too long.
That thought made me feel much more at ease.
I went back to the company from the airport and continued working.
During this time, I would run into the vice president at the office. Sometimes I saw him from a distance and avoided him. Other times I couldn't avoid it, so I just had to say hello.
The vice president always nodded in response.
That was all that was left of our interactions.
Rumors started spreading around the company about him and me. People said I was actually his mistress, but now he had dumped me.
I didn't care. I just let them talk.
Eventually, people lost interest.
Landon Knight asked me out once. I agreed, but only if I could treat him to dinner. He accepted.
We met at a small Chinese restaurant and ordered three dishes. We ate and talked.
"The place is small, but the food is pretty good!" "I think so too. And the service is fast!" I echoed.
"Do you usually cook at home or eat out?" "Mostly I eat out. If I get off work early, I cook in my apartment, but I'm not very good at it." I replied with a smile.
"Not many girls can cook these days!" "I guess I fall into the majority!" I answered.
Landon looked at me with a smile. I changed the subject and asked, "You've been working for the Sterling Group for a long time, haven't you?"
"I just renewed my contract. It's my fourth year now!" Landon said. "That's a long time. You're practically a veteran!" "I'm twenty-six years old!" Landon replied half-jokingly.
I burst out laughing and explained, "I didn't mean you're old. I meant your seniority!" "I know. But I look old, so I have to make that clear!" he replied with a smile.
"You're funny!" I laughed. Landon smiled and didn't argue.
"You're doing really well in the administration department now." "It's going well. At first, I was a bit busy, and things were complicated. I didn't understand some of it. But it's better now." "The work in administration is really tough!" "But don't you think it's an achievement to handle complicated things well?" "That's true! But I probably couldn't handle it!" "I couldn't do the work in your tech department either, since you specialize in technology!" I laughed.
"It's true that I specialize in tech! But people who do well in administration are amazing in my book." "Then should I reply that people who do well in tech are amazing too?" "That's not necessary. We basically already know that!" Landon said with a smile.
We talked and laughed. We got along really well.
I didn't expect Landon to be so talkative. Of course, he was only twenty-six. He really seemed a bit mature for his age.
I didn't mean he looked old. I meant he was steady and composed beyond his years.
After dinner, Landon drove me back. When we arrived, he asked me, "Aria, I don't know if I have a chance now?"
I naturally understood what he meant. I turned to him and said sincerely, "Landon, thank you for your appreciation. But I don't want to be in a relationship right now. It's not because of who you are or anything wrong with you. It's because I really just want to focus on my work. I don't want to get involved in feelings too early.
I know there are some rumors about me at the company. A lot of them aren't true. But I don't want to explain them. I just want to do my job well."
"I understand. Thank you. I hope I didn't bother you. If it's possible, I hope we can still be friends!" "That's what I should say. If it doesn't cause you any trouble, I'd be happy to have a friend like you!" I answered.
Landon smiled and held out his hand. I politely shook it.
After letting go, I told him to drive carefully. I thanked him for bringing me back and got out of the car.
I didn't invite him upstairs for tea. On one hand, it wasn't appropriate. On the other hand, I really didn't plan to.
I went upstairs, walked into my apartment, and sat down on the sofa.
"Working overtime again?" Savannah Hayes turned her head and asked. "No, I went to dinner with a colleague today." "It's rare for you to join a group activity!" Savannah teased.
"Like I'm some kind of lone wolf!" I said, half laughing, half crying. "That's about right! But after a heartbreak, you really should get involved with people. That way, you won't have time to overthink!" Savannah continued.
I turned to look at her and smiled. "Is that how you survived back then?" "Pretty much. I spent the most money during that time. The problem was, I didn't have any money, so I had to use my credit card. Now I think about it—falling in love with the wrong person hurts your bones, your heart, and your wallet. It's a total loss!" Savannah said with conviction.
When she mentioned money, I remembered. I still owed the vice president money.
During this time, I had been trying my best to avoid him. It felt like a mouse trying to stay away from a cat. No wonder I forgot something so important.
I couldn't help but sigh.
"What's wrong? Why the sigh?" "I just remembered I still owe someone money!" I answered. "You're terrible. Forgetting money you owe is one thing. Forgetting money someone owes you is another!" Savannah said with disdain.
"There's something wrong with my character. I need to fix it. I'm going to take a bath instead of talking to you!" "Taking a bath won't fix your character." "I'll take a bath first, then figure out a way, okay?" "Fine. You're the boss who owes money!"
I laughed and went into my bedroom.
After my bath, I lay on the bed, thinking about how to contact the vice president.
Should I call him? Forget it. I think I wouldn't be able to speak if I heard his voice.
I'll send a message. That way, after he sees it, he can reply whenever it's convenient.
But how should I phrase it?
"Sorry, Vice President, I forgot I owed you money. Did you forget too?"
Pfft. If he replied, "I always remembered," then I would be too embarrassed to even show my face at the North Pole.