Tailsa didn't quite catch his meaning. She saw him again sidestepping the issue of the old phone and changing the subject. A flicker of worry crossed her eyes. Casually, she replied, "Yeah, my mom doesn't want me renting a place outside. Says a girl needs to know her boundaries."
She shot a glance at James, complaining, "It's not like I'm moving in with some guy. I just want to live with my bestie, but they won't allow it. I even have to report if I'm not coming home at night. It's annoying."
"Your mom's got a point. A lot of girls living on their own end up with messed up schedules and unhealthy diets. They look like ghosts," James said, trying to comfort her.
He'd seen it firsthand during his late-night delivery runs. Girls living alone often looked pale and on the verge of collapse, their apartments resembling crime scenes.
Dirty, messy, with instant ramen boxes piled upâworse than even his own living conditions as a single guy. He thought girls like Tailsa, who lived under their parents' care and rules, were better off.
"I'm not like those girls," Tailsa retorted, pouting. "You agree with my mom? So, you also agree that I have to be home by ten tonight?"
"Uh..." James stumbled over his words.
Don't criticize others' hardships when you don't know their lives. It was easy for him to say what was right since he wasn't the one under his mother's rules.
He was perfectly happy not having to let Tailsa go home tonight with the idea of experiencing a five-star hotel's presidential suite in his mind.
Sensing he'd stepped in it, he quickly corrected himself, "That's not what I meant. I meant, do you want to have a place that's completely your own?"
"???"
Tailsa's eyes widened when she heard the word "house."
He wanted to buy her a house!
Was this... was this happening too fast?
She wasn't mentally prepared for this at all.
They had only been together for two daysâbarely knew each otherâand he was already talking about buying a house?
Startled by her own thoughts, Tailsa became flustered, her heart pounding in her chest like a trapped bird.
"A-are you serious?" she stammered.
"Yeah, do you have a place in mind?" James asked nonchalantly.
Tailsa stared at him, her mouth slightly open, eyes unfocused.
The way he asked made it sound as casual as, "Do you have any clothes you like? I'll get you a couple of outfits."
In that moment, a surge of genuine affection for him welled up inside her. It felt like she was on the verge of falling in love.
Just a little push, and she would fall head over heels for this man, no holds barred.
[Affection +2]
James clenched his fist in silent triumph.
Perfect. Just perfect.
He had been worried that his question would push Tailsa's affection to eighty.
Leaving it at this level was ideal. Once he bought the house, her affection would increase, and he'd get a significant rebate.
"Since we have the afternoon free, let's go buy it!"
Seeing Tailsa frozen in stunned silence, James urged her on eagerly.
Her current affection level of 79 was dangerous. If he said the wrong thing and she added another point, he'd be screwed.
He'd lose out on a house.
He wanted to strike while the iron was hot and finalize the purchase immediately.
Tailsa, still reeling from the sudden turn of events, stammered, "You mean... today?"
She wasn't doubting James's financial ability, just struggling to process the speed of their relationship.
What kind of girl could handle buying a car in the morning and a house in the afternoon?
Just a few major life events crammed into one exciting day.
What would the future hold...
It was just too thrilling.
And if the car was a Porsche, the house would surely be a villa... right?
Tailsa's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Yeah, tell me, do you have a house you like?" James asked with a smile.
"Yes, yes! I saw a villa before, it's super pretty."
Tailsa quickly took out her phone, searching for a detached villa she had seen on social media.
It was a local detached garden villa, priced at $8 million, listed as an urgent sale.
The owner had reportedly bought it for $10 million and spent over $2 million on renovations.
It had three floors, a total area of 420 square meters, in a Chinese architectural style, with a 180-square-meter garden.
What she couldn't forget was the 60-square-meter master bedroom on the third floor, with its massive 8x2.4-meter floor-to-ceiling window, offering a panoramic view of the beautiful garden.
The terrace was also huge, filled with greenery and flowers, and with two lounge chairs, it promised a relaxing and leisurely atmosphere.
"This one, what do you think?"
Tailsa held up her phone, playing the video for James like she was showing off a prized possession.
"Not bad. It's in a villa complex, looks a bit secluded. Might lack a bit of the hustle and bustle of everyday life," James commented objectively.
This kind of villa was unlike his small apartment, where he couldn't even buy groceries without a bunch of nosy neighbors asking questions.
When he was broke, James hated people asking about his business.
But now that he had money...
Well, he wanted to shout it from the rooftops that he'd bought broccoli, potatoes, and a brand-new Porsche.
"I love it. It's my dream house," Tailsa said, pouting slightly.
When she first saw this villa, she imagined living there with the person she loved. She'd have been willing to trade five years of her life for it.
If she could also not work, not worry, just do yoga, tend to the flowers, and raise a dog, all while happily waiting for her man to come home, and if she was bored she could chat with her girlfriends in the villa about daily gossip, with a nanny taking care of the kids, just living an easy and carefree life.
Then she would be content to live to be 70.
But now, a man was actually saying he was going to give her this villa?
Oh my god.
Was the universe signaling that she wasn't going to live to 70?
Tailsa fell into a daze again.
Seeing how much she loved the villa, James decided to seal the deal quickly.
Eight million plus the previous three millionâif the rebate worked, it would be enough for him to splurge for a while.
Using Tailsa's phone, he contacted the real estate agent to inquire about the property and expressed his desire to see it immediately.
Fortunately, the agent was available and had the keys. They could go right away.
After confirming the address with the agent, James turned to Tailsa with a grin, "Let's go, let's go see your future home."
Tailsa leaped up in excitement, wanting to wrap her legs around James's waist. But realizing they were in public, she settled for standing on the ground and showering his face with excited kisses.
"I love you so much, darling!"
"Hold on, wait until I buy the house before you love me," James said, playfully pushing her away.
"How much money do you actually have? What company are you investing in?" Tailsa asked curiously.
Though she knew it wasn't the right time to ask such things, seeing James's calm demeanor, she couldn't help but wonder about the extent of his wealth.
"Don't worry about that. As long as it's something you like, I can buy it for youâwithin reason, of course," James said confidently.
How many billions would 10 million multiplied by 1,000 be?
He might not be able to buy a country, but buying things a woman liked was well within his means.
Those shiny little diamonds and pearlsâhow expensive could they really be?
With a wave of his hand, James called Jay Johnson, who was standing at a distance, back to the parking lot.
The confidence he exuded in that moment made Tailsa's heart flutter once again.
She admitted she was captivated by his extravagant display.
Tailsa gazed at him adoringly, her eyes filled with unconcealed affection as she lightly bit her lower lip.
She suppressed her excitement, got into the car with him, and sat obediently in the back seat.
At this point, no matter what James did, she wouldn't be angry. She might even take the initiative.
She refused the seatbelt he offered, leaning against him instead, wrapping her arms around his neck, her eyes sparkling with adoration.
Her expression was full of boundless spring-like charm.
It seemed like all James had to do was give a slight hint, and she would lower her proud head and do things she hadn't done before.