Chapter 23

“Bye. I’m leaving.”

Not wanting to be alone with Michael any longer, I opened the door on the front passenger side and stepped out. Michael frowned and watched me leave in silence. After I got down from the car, he sped off, giving me a scare that had me rooted to the ground.

I pursed my lips in displeasure. This guy really lacked style, but it didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. After all, from today onwards, there would be nothing between us anymore. Even if we met again in the future, we would be strangers to each other.

After walking a few steps, I called a cab to head to my good friend Natalie’s home. On the way, I realized Michael’s coat was still draped over my shoulders. I wanted to return it, but I did not know how to contact him.

Forget it. I’ll give it back to him if I have the chance in the future. Anyway, the CEO of a company that’s this big in size should not lack a coat.

When I returned to Natalie’s, she had just arrived home. She took note of how my clothes were a little messy, and she also realized I was wearing Michael’s coat. Immediately, she knew something had happened and quickly questioned me.

“Anna, tell me what happened! Did you do what I think you did with him?”

Natalie’s gaze fell upon the hickey on my neck, and an ambiguous look crossed her eyes.

Although she was my best friend, I was a relatively conservative person, so I could not help blushing when she questioned me.

“Your imagination is running wild. I didn’t do such a thing.”

“Your neck is covered with hickeys. No one would believe you didn’t do it. Tell me quickly. Who was it? Was it Michael Shaw?

The part of Natalie, which always wanted gossip, was awakened at that point. I knew she would not let it rest if I did not tell her everything.

I would be nagged relentlessly until I confessed.

“It really was him. Anna, I was wondering if Michael was really interested in you. And today, you both…”

Though Natalie did not complete her sentence, being adults, we knew she was referring to the exercise Michael and I had performed in the car.

“Natalie, please do not distort the truth. I was drunk when I did it with Michael the previous time. This time, I was simply thanking him for all he has done for me. I made it clear to him that from now on, we will go our separate ways.”

Thinking that I did not owe Michael anything anymore, I felt relieved. From that moment on, I could pretend that he did not exist in my life whenever I saw him.

“Anna, I think Michael is quite eligible. He is the most well-known young adult in the city, and he is a wealthy man at such a young age. What’s more important is that he is so handsome, compared to Justin. If you choose him over Justin, you’d be justified.”

Natalie’s love for gossip was surfacing again, and she gleefully imagined how advantageous it would be for me to be with Michael without knowing that there was nothing much going on between us.

“That’s enough of worrying about me, Natalie. You should take care of yourself. Didn’t you tell me you’ve found a boyfriend? We must find some time to meet so I can give you my opinion.”

Unwilling to talk too much about Michael, I changed the subject.

“That’s great. I’ve been busy with work lately. Once I’ve handled all the things at work, I’ll let you meet him. He’ll be our host.”

Natalie was a loud and easygoing person, so she naturally agreed without hesitation.

I was looking forward to seeing what type of man her boyfriend was. What type of man could turn her into a gentle little lady on the phone.

“Great, so we have agreed on this. I’m tired. I’m going to my room to rest.”

After the lengthy performance in Michael’s car, I felt tired, sore, and uncomfortable. All I wanted was to bathe and wash away all of the man’s scent that still clung to my body.

After bathing, I returned to my bedroom and slept like a log. Too much had happened; I was totally exhausted. Sleep was all I wanted.

For many consecutive days, I remained in Natalie’s home. Her workload was heavy, and I was jobless, so I acted as a temporary housekeeper, cleaning and cooking.

My dear friend was kind enough to put up with me, and since she was so busy, it was only right for me to help around in the house.

I was cleaning with a vacuum cleaner when my mobile phone rang suddenly. It was an unfamiliar phone number, so I frowned suspiciously before I answered the call.

I thought it was a prank call, but it turned out to be a notice that my application for work was successful. I had been accepted by Joyful Success Advertisements.

I had not received a call of acceptance for such a long time, prompting me to think that I had failed the interview. I had planned to wait for two days, and if there was no news, I would apply to another company, but I was unexpectedly accepted.

After hanging up the phone, I was still excited and unable to calm down. Alone in the sitting room, I screamed out in joy!

The person on the phone had instructed me to report for work the next day.

My mood was uplifted after that, and I was enthusiastic about everything I did. In the afternoon, I cleaned Natalie’s house inside out. I also washed all the clothes that she had worn over the past few days.

When Natalie returned home, she was surprised to see her home neat and tidy. She looked at me in astonishment.

“Anna, have you won a lottery today? You seem to have found a sudden burst of motivation. You’ve cleaned my whole house inside out.”

Natalie walked around the sitting hall and then stood facing me, her face full of disbelief.

“Natalie, am I such a lazy person in your eyes? You’ve provided food and lodging for me, so I’ve cleaned your house in return. I can’t just laze around, can I? That would be such a shame.”

I glared at her and spoke with feigned anger. However, the truth was she had never once complained about me living and eating for free.

“Tell me what good news you have! Your face tells me you have much to say.”

Natalie was the one who understood me the most. Even though I had said nothing, she could tell I was feeling happy.

“Natalie, I’ve been accepted by Joyful Success! I am to report for work tomorrow.”

After telling her about my new job, I still could not contain my excitement. I couldn’t believe I had really been selected.

“Really? Anna, I knew you’d be accepted. You have so much natural talent in advertising. Joyful Success has made the right choice.”