248 I am Afraid to Die
âUm...â
Isabella awkwardly took the cup and sat down uncomfortably. She decided to cut the mess quickly. Since she couldnât leave, she might as well leave as soon as she finished asking.
She paused for a moment and said, âOctavio, I came here to ask you about professional questions. If a designer contracted a design, would his design affect the arrangement of the gas channel?
Octavio thought for a moment. âIsabella, your question is not clear enough. What kind of design do you refer to? Private designs, public facilities, architectural designs, or indoor designs?â
âMaybe it belongs to private design.â
âOh, then I understand.â
Octavio analyzed, âGenerally speaking, the natural gas channel of the building will be checked by the natural gas company. They will consider many factors when setting up the natural gas line. But if the employer has special needs, the designer will do it. Anyway, the large channel will be checked by the gas company. The interior part is very limited. If we design it, it will not affect anything.â
Isabella was deep in thought and asked again, âIf the employer uses his own gas tank, does the design also need the gas company to check?â
âNo, if employers donât spend money on the check of the gas company to check, they will install it directly according to their ideas.â
.....
Isabella nodded. âIf an employer hires a designer to from your design, will you keep a record of the draft?
âIf it wasnât a design of large buildings, records will not be a must. And the interior design wouldnât have a record.â
Isabella thought for a moment and stood up. âThatâs all my questions. Iâm sorry for occupying your rest time on weekends. Iâll treat you to a meal as compensation.â
Octavio didnât refuse her invitation but shrugged. âAre you done with your questions? Isabella, your questions are very vague. Are you sure you donât want to ask more specifically?â
No wonder that Octavio rose to the position of Director of the Peace Design Institute at such a young age. He was so smart that he immediately guessed Isabellaâs real question. âWas someone you know in trouble because of the design of natural gas tunnel?â
Isabella pursed her lips and hesitated.
âTell me more details. I can help you analyze it.â
Cedric sat next to Isabella with a cup of water in his hand. His slender legs were crossed as he looked at Isabella from the side. âThere are many details that only we professionals can understand.â
Isabella glanced at Cedric warily. If he wasnât here, she would have said it already.
Cedric smiled in understanding and stood up. âIt seems that my presence makes it not convenient for Miss Isabella to tell the truth. In that case, I will go first.â
âHey, youâre already here. Why are you leaving? Letâs have lunch together.â
Octavio said casually, âIsabella, donât worry. Cedric will not utter it to others. Not only is he one of my best friends, but he is also a top talent in the design department. He was a student of the world-class designer. Maybe he knows more about how to solve your question than I!â
Cedric looked at Isabella. Isabellaâs eyes flickered with uncertainty.
âForget it, it might be a private matter. After all, we just meet several times and itâs normal that you donât trust me.â âI will wait for you downstairs.â
Cedric whispered in Octavioâs ear and walked away.
âWait a minute, Mr. Cedric!â
âItâs not a big deal. I am afraid that you will think my words absurd. Have you ever heard the bombing at Slikeâs Restaurant happened seventeen years ago?â
Cedric and Octavio were both stunned. Octavio was the first to say, âI heard of it. At that time, I was in middle school. The report lasted almost a month, so it was very impressive.â
âWell, it is said that the accident was caused by the illegal modification of the gas channel.â
âCould it be that it wasnât Slikeâs illegal modification, but the designerâs mistake at that time?â
Octavio was surprised. âThe designer made a mistake? Isabella, are you related to that case?â
Isabella hurriedly said, âOh, no, Slikeâs wife is my aunt. Recently, she always said that Slike appeared in her dreams and said that he should not be to blame for the explosion...â
âI think sheâs pitiful. I want to help her find out,â Isabella said.
Octavio laughed.
Octavio could not help but laugh, âIt is really an absurd reason.â
âThen is it possible?â Isabella said anxiously.
âWhether itâs possible or not, itâs up to the design drawings.â âIf thatâs the case, there wonât be any answers,â Cedric said with his eyes lowered.
Octavio also came to a conclusion. âIsabella, you should buy some pastries and fruits to comfort that auntie. Iâm afraid she thinks too much since sheâs middle-aged. As long as the designer doesnât have a grudge against Slike, she wonât deliberately make an unqualified gas tunnel. Even if the designer has limited ability, it wonât cause the Slike Restaurant to explode into powder, right?â
âDesign drawings...â
âThatâs right, only drawings can reveal the problem!â
Isabella lowered her head.
If there really was a problem with the design back then, would Carl have possibly left behind the design drawings?
Iâm afraid they have already been burned to powder.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
She should have expected this matter a long time ago, and there was no result at all.
âThank you, Octavio. Thank you, Octavio.â
Isabella stood up and said goodbye. She smiled at Octavio and said, âWhen I have time, I will treat you to a meal. I will take my leave first.â
âWhy donât we choose today?â
Octavio smiled and said, âItâs rare to see you. Letâs have a meal today. It is hard to meet next time.â
â ... But itâs only 9 oâclock now. Octavio, you donât have to take too serious about the meal.â
âItâs okay. Letâs go to the Small Bridge Restaurant in the northern suburbs. Itâs an hourâs drive. We can drink a cup of tea before having lunch in the morning. The wild chickens there are delicious!â
Cedric smiled. âMaybe she doesnât want to take me to a meal.â
...
For some reason, every time Cedric spoke, Isabella would be unable to refuse.
It was as if a person wanted to show goodwill to you and sincerely make friends with you. It would be very impolite if you repeatedly refused.
Isabella saw the enthusiasm on Octavioâs face and agreed with his ideas.
Octavio was driving and Isabella was sitting in the back seat. She wanted to give the passenger seat to Cedric so that they could chat on the way.
Unexpectedly, Cedric directly opened the back door and sat beside her.
Isabella looked at him in confusion. Cedric had a good understanding and smiled. âIâm afraid to die.â
âIf there is an accident, the passenger seat is the most dangerous place. People have the instinct to avoid danger. Once there is an accident, the driver will take care of himself first. So, your current position is the safest place in the car.â
...
Isabella sprang up from the seat and said, âWhy donât we exchange?â
âWhen Iâm with a lady, I think itâs better to be a gentleman.â