Chapter 24: Chapter 24



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Matthew wasn’t able to dodge and Dolores fell directly on top of him.

Her forehead impacted painfully on his chin. And her lips pressed on something rigid protruding from his body. The sensation was familiar but distant.

Dolores was stunned for a moment and quickly sat up when she came to her senses. Then she realized that her lips had touched his Adam’s apple…she clutched her forehead in pain and her face burned from blushing.

Matthew was also stunned by the contact and looked at her slowly, “If I’m a pervert, then who do you think you are?”.

Before Dolores could respond, he slowly sat up and purposely adjusted his shirt collar and touched the position where Dolores had kissed. He laughed out loud, “We are husband and wife. You can tell me directly if you want to kiss me. I’m not that mean.”

Dolores was speechless – who wanted to kiss him, it was an accident!

“I won’t want to kiss you!” Dolores turned her head and hurried out of the living room.

Matthew sat down on the couch and annoyed at what she said sarcastically replied, “Then who do you want to kiss?”

He scoffed, “That man who knocked you up?”.

The fear and embarrassment suddenly came out in all its rawness.

She didn’t want to talk about how she got pregnant. But the coldness with which Matthew spoke painfully tore at her heart. She was devastated, but she kept a firm front: “Of course, I love the father of my child.”

Well, this woman was something!

“Miss Flores, have you forgotten that you owe me something?” Matthew stood up and brushed his dustless shirt, slowly raised his head and looked at the petrified Dolores, “I need a translator. Come to the office to work starting tomorrow.”

He had demanded after she took the land contract. That was for the best, since she would pay him for the land contract and not owe him a favor.

“Okay.” She replied and then pushed the door open to enter the room.

Her face grew hot at the thought of what had happened. She didn’t leave the room so she wouldn’t have to face Matthew until Coral informed her that dinner was ready. Only then did she leave the room.

Matthew was already in the dining room as Coral served the dishes. Dolores walked over and ate with her head down without looking around.

The atmosphere in the dining room became very tense.

Coral could not accept their behavior since they were husband and wife but why were they acting like strangers. She brought a plate of sautéed broccoli and put it in front of Dolores and said, “Young Master likes to eat this.”

Matthew’s palate preferred bland dishes and vegetables. Coral was very familiar with what he liked to eat because she had been taking care of him for so long. Dolores was dumbfounded and didn’t understand what Coral meant. She thought that since he liked to eat that dish, then Coral should have put the dish in front of him.

Coral glared at her and instructed her to serve the vegetables to Matthew. Dolores saw and realized what Coral meant. At that moment, Coral’s eyes almost flinched.

Dolores had no choice but to serve Matthew some vegetables and placed them in his bowl. Matthew looked up and Dolores smiled. She couldn’t help it as Coral was pushing her. She was trying to put them in order.

Matthew slowly picked up the sautéed broccoli and green chilli, waved it in front of his nose. “Coral knows better than anyone what I like to eat.”

Coral laughed, “Miss will understand in the future, she just got here and is still learning.”

Coral changed the way she addressed Dolores. She used to address her as Miss Flores. Although she wasn’t happy that she wasn’t coming home for the night, she was someone Mrs. Nelson had chosen as a teacher. Naturally, she wanted their relationship to be strengthened so as not to disappoint the late Señora.

Dolores choked when she heard Coral address her as the mistress and lowered her head even further. She quickly finished her meal and didn’t even drink water, “I’m done, please enjoy your meal.” She returned to the room after excusing herself.

“What’s wrong with him?” Coral was caught off guard.

Matthew stared at her slender back and with a sinister smile, “She must not be used to Coral’s pacification.”

Coral sighed, “Didn’t I end up being all for you?”. She turned to leave after saying this.

Only Matthew remained in the spacious dining room. The light from the overhanging chandelier glowed and enveloped him. He picked up another broccoli and chewed it slowly….

The next day Dolores left the house while Matthew went to work. Since she had agreed to work at the company, she had to make a trip to the restaurant to leave work.

As she was changing her shoes, Coral approached her, “Are you going out?”. Dolores nodded.

“Come home early and don’t stay out all night. You’re a married woman.” Coral reminded her.

“Yes.” Dolores put on her shoes and went out.

She walked to the crossroads and took a cab to the restaurant, as there was no public bus service where she was.

Dolores asked for leave when she had just started working and now she was there to quit. The manager became angry, “Why did you apply for the position if you don’t seem committed to working here, aren’t you making us uncomfortable?”

Dolores was very apologetic: “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”

The manager was sullen, but before she could speak, an employee came in to say that they were swamped with work.

The manager looked at Dolores, “Help first and you can leave after rush hour.”

“Okay.” Dolores agreed out of professionalism.

Dolores went to put on her uniform. They were really busy that day.

“Send this to room 88.” Said the chef to Dolores as she went to pick up the dishes. Dolores nodded and placed the plate on the serving tray and headed to the room.

With one hand to balance the tray, she used the other to open the door. The room was well lit, spacious and private. There were only two people sitting at the round red wooden table and she knew one of them, Matthew.

They were both stunned to see each other.

Kenneth Tyrone, the head of HSBC, was discussing something with Matthew and stopped when someone entered the room. Dolores lowered her head and served the dish on her tray.

“The waitresses at the Lan-Kwai restaurant are getting younger and younger.” Kenneth smiled and looked Dolores up and down.

Dolores was outraged by his gaze and tried to leave after serving the dish, but was held back by Kenneth. The latter looked at Matthew and smiled mischievously, “Have her stay to serve us wine.”

Matthew’s smile began to freeze to hide his displeasure, “Mr. Tyrone, are you aware of what we’re discussing?”

He looked up anxiously into Dolores’ face, “We don’t need her.” Dolores quickly left with her serving tray.

Abbott stood behind Matthew and frowned at Dolores’ appearance. How did she appear here? How would people comment that she worked here if they knew of her relationship with Matthew? How would that affect Matthew’s reputation? His disdain for Dolores increased several notches.

“Lan-Kwai Restaurant really knows how to improve their business. The food is delicious and now the waitresses are getting more and more attractive. Like the waitress just now. Her skin is snow white and her waist is so slim that I can grab her with one hand…”

“Mr. Tyrone, I’ll pour you some wine.” Abbott quickly interrupted him.

Kenneth noticed Matthew’s expression had darkened and quickly burst out laughing, “I have rambled.”

Dolores let out a long sigh after leaving the room. She had never expected to see him so soon after leaving the house that morning.

The busy period passed and the manager agreed to let Dolores leave. She changed out of her work clothes and had just left the restaurant when she saw Abbott standing in the doorway. His expression was hostile.

He looked at her coldly, “Mr. Nelson is waiting for you. Let’s go.” Dolores followed him out.

“Mom, I saw a dress at Channel, can we go after lunch to buy the dress for me?”. Annabelle grabbed Beulah’s arm and walked over.

“It’s okay, my daughter should wear the best.” The mother and daughter laughed merrily as they walked toward the Lan-Kwai restaurant. Dolores stopped at the sight of them…..

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