âThe Crown Club?â Rachelâs hands on the steering wheel froze for a moment. She was startled to hear the name of the club. She didnât have a good impression of the Crown Club. If she could help it, she wouldnât go there. But when she thought of the project of the Bennet Group, she had to overcome her feelings.
âIâm going there now,â she told Andy.
she turned the car around. The Crown Club was in the opposite direction to the Bennet Group.
Of course, Andy didnât know what was on Rachelâs mind, nor did he sense the change in Rachelâs tone.
âOkay. Iâll go there too, but I may be a bit late. I have to deal with something right now.â âItâs okay. Take your time,â Rachel said in a low voice and hung up the phone. In the Crown Club When the Audi A6 pulled up in front of the club, a parking assistant greeted Rachel. He opened the car door and took the car keys from her so he could park the car.
Standing at the entrance, Rachel scanned the facade of the club. Through the glass door, she could see the luxurious decoration of the hall on the first floor. The Crown Club was as grand as it had been four years ago. Four years had passed in the blink of an eye.
Rachel took a deep breath and walked in.
âGood day, Miss Bennet!â The lobby manager was on the phone when he saw Rachel getting out of the car. He put away his phone in a hurry and walked up to Rachel.
âIâm sorry. May I know who you are?â Rachel looked at the manager who was smiling at her. She searched his face for familiarity but she couldnât remember him. Noticing Rachelâs confusion, the man apologized and introduced himself. âIâm Jerry, the lobby manager of the Crown Club.â
âDo you know me?â âWhy, of course, Miss Bennet,â Jerry laughed in a flattering tone. âAll the employees in the Crown Club have a picture of you, so we can recognize you the moment youâre here. You deserve our best attention.â Her picture?
What picture?
Why should they treat her like a VIP?
âMiss Bennet, are you here alone?â Jerry asked as he looked past Rachel.
âYes,â Rachel answered, somehow confused by the question. âDidnât Mr. Sullivan come?â Mr. Sullivan. Of course, Jerry was referring to Victor. Rachel suddenly remembered that Victor was the real boss of the Crown Club.
âNo,â Rachel answered sternly, her looks turning sharp. Jerry had been working in the Crown Club for several years. He was good at reading peopleâs expressions. Seeing Rachelâs face made him realize that he had said something wrong. He quickly shifted to a different topic. âMiss Bennet, are you here for someone? Orâ¦â
âIâm meeting someone,â Rachel answered and then looked at Andyâs message on her phone. âThe prive room we ve booked is called Morandi, which I believe is on the second floor,â
âCome with me then. Iâll take you upstairs.â Jerry smiled graciously as he had been trained to do. He then led the way to the room.
âThe Crown Club?â Rachelâs hands on the steering wheel froze for a moment. She was startled to hear the name of the club.
She didnât have a good impression of the Crown Club. If she could help it, she wouldnât go there. But when she thought of the project of the Bennet Group, she had to overcome her feelings. âIâm going there now,â she told Andy.
She turned the car around. The Crown Club was in the opposite direction to the Bennet Group. Of course, Andy didnât know what was on Rachelâs mind, nor did he sense the change in Rachelâs tone.
âOkay. Iâll go there too, but I may be a bit late. I have to deal with something right now.â âItâs okay. Take your time,â Rachel said in a low voice and hung up the phone. In the Crown Club When the Audi A6 pulled up in front of the club, a parking assistant greeted Rachel. He opened the car door and took the car keys from her so he could park the car. Standing at the entrance, Rachel scanned the facade of the club. Through the glass door, she could see the luxurious decoration of the hall on the first floor. The Crown Club was as grand as it had been four years ago. Four years had passed in the blink of an eye.
Rachel took a deep breath and walked in.
âGood day, Miss Bennet!â The lobby manager was on the phone when he saw Rachel getting out of the car. He put away his phone in a hurry and walked up to Rachel. âIâm sorry. May I know who you are?â
Rachel looked at the manager who was smiling at her. She searched his face for familiarity but she couldnât remember him. Noticing Rachelâs confusion, the man apologized and introduced himself. âIâm Jerry, the lobby manager of the Crown Club.â âDo you know me?â âWhy, of course, Miss Bennet,â Jerry laughed in a flattering tone. âAll the employees in the Crown Club have a picture of you, so we can recognize you the moment youâre here. You deserve our best attention.â Her picture?
What picture?
Why should they treat her like a VIP? âMiss Bennet, are you here alone?â Jerry asked as he looked past Rachel. âYes,â Rachel answered, somehow confused by the question. âDidnât Mr. Sullivan come?â Mr.
Sullivan. Of course, Jerry was referring to Victor. Rachel suddenly remembered that Victor was the real boss of the Crown Club. âNo,â Rachel answered sternly, her looks turning sharp. Jerry had been working in the Crown Club for several years. He was good at reading peopleâs expressions. Seeing Rachelâs face made him realize that he had said something wrong. He quickly shifted to a different topic. âMiss Bennet, are you here for someone? Orâ¦â âIâm meeting someone,â Rachel answered and then looked at Andyâs message on her phone. âThe prive room weâve booked is called Morandi, which I believe is on the second floor,â âCome with me then. Iâll take you upstairs.â Jerry smiled graciously as he had been trained to do. He then led the way to the room. As she followed Jerry, Rachel looked at the time display on her phone. Andy had arranged the meeting with the investor and she was half an hour early. Jerry and Rachel got into the elevator. They were the only ones in the elevator and they were standing side by side. Jerry couldnât help but glance at Rachel VI lit They were the only ones in the elevator and they were standing side by side. Jerry couldnât help but glance at Rachel from time to time. Even though Jerry tried to be discreet, Rachel could feel his eyes on her. âDid you say that you all have a picture of me?â Rachel asked. âYes, Miss Bennet.â âBut why?â
Jerry didnât expect Rachel to ask that question. He turned to his side and looked at Rachel. âMiss Bennet, donât you know?â
Rachel got even more confused. âWhat is it that I should know?â
âOh, I thought you know.â Jerry looked quizzically at Rachel. âDidnât Mr. Sullivan tell you?â
Ding! The elevator chimed to signify that they had reached the second floor. The elevator stopped steadily and its doors slowly opened. âMiss Bennet, if you want to know the answer, you can go to the seventh floor. I believe that you will be moved when you see it.â âThe seventh floor?â Jerry nodded as he took out a key card from his vestâs pocket. He tapped it against the reader on the door of the room called Morandi. âHere you are,â Miss Bennet.â Rachel glanced around the room. It looked warm and cozy. It was precisely designed to make people feel comfortable âMiss Bennet, I wish you well with your meeting,â Jerry said before turning around to leave. âYou can call me anytime should you need anything.â
Rachel nodded. Jerry left the room, closing the door gently. Rachel walked to the sofa and as she sat down, her phone vibrated. There was a message from Andy saying that he was on his way but was being held up by a traffic jam. Rachel texted Andy back, informing him that she was already at the club.
âTake care,â she added to her message. She noticed a glass of cold orange juice on the small table by the side of the sofa. It looked like it was brought there just before she got into the room. Orange juice was her favorite drink. Raising her eyebrows, Rachel couldnât help but think of what Jerry had just said.
She picked up the glass of orange juice and took a sip. It had the sweet-tart taste that she liked. What could be on the seventh floor? 1 Rachel was thinking about it when someone buzzed on the door. It brought her back from her musings. Did Andy arrive so soon? Rachel put the glass down on the side table, stood up, and walked to the door, thinking that it was Andy on the other side.
Before she reached the door, it swung open. Rachel was stunned to see the man standing at the door.
He was a tall man, wearing a light-grey windbreaker. There was a gentle smile on his handsome face.
Rachelâs figure was reflected in his brown eyes. The man exuded gentleness and modesty. He didnât seem to have changed so much. He still gave people that warm feeling âLong time no see, Rachel.â While Rachel was surprised to see him, the man seemed to know that she would be al the Crown Club.
Four years had passed, and the man thought that he would never see Rachel again. While he appeared calm and collected, his slightly stiff fingertips betrayed his nervousness.
Rachel came to her senses. âRoger.â 5