Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Connor stood in front of the wardrobe mirror, adjusting his tie with a slight smirk on his face. His eyes approved of the reflection. After a moment of hesitation, he put the tie down and picked up an everyday one he usually wore.

Hearing the door close, Camila stealthily looked up and noticed he hadn’t worn the tie she gifted him, feeling a slight pang of

disappointment.

Her eyes seemed to possess x–ray vision, piercing through his crisp white shirt to the sculpted chest beneath. It briefly overlapped with the memory from that night, causing her ears to flush red and her mind to buzz.

She quickly lowered her head, pinching her thigh hard.

A wave of pain brought her back to reality, and when she looked up again, Connor was neatly dressed, sitting across from her.

The only sound at the dining table was the clinking of cutlery. Even David noticed how unusually quiet Camila was today.

The awkward atmosphere lingered until Camila sat at her desk at work. The busy workload helped her push the morning’s events to the back of her mind.

Time seemed to be powered by a high–speed motor, spinning rapidly.

It was dark by the time the boss left work, and finally, Camila did too.

In the twilight, the outlines of skyscrapers were clearly visible, highlighted by gentle lighting.

Camila sat in the passenger seat, quietly watching the bustling traffic outside, while Connor’s slender fingers tapped away on his tablet,

* 2 2 & 2 F F 8 1⁄2 1⁄2 1⁄2 8 2 2 £ 98 £ P ± 3 3 5 3

replying to emails.

Buzz, buzz, buzz…

The vibration from Camila’s phone in her bag broke the silence. She immediately grabbed it and turned it off.

Looking up at the rearview mirror, she locked eyes with Connor, whose dark eyes still held a hint of warmth. After a few seconds, Connor looked away and continued with his work.

The buzzing sound resumed.

“Take it,” Connor said, not looking up from his tablet.

Hesitant, Camila answered the call, “Mom…”

Connor’s eyes shifted slightly.

Camila frowned slightly, “I don’t want to go. Can you bring a gift to Grandma…”

The conversation on the other end dragged on, and Camila finally responded weakly, “Okay, I know. I’ll go…”

After hanging up, Camila leaned her head against the car window, her mood low.

The car fell silent again. Connor hesitated, but ultimately didn’t ask her. He wanted to say, “Are you alright?”

On the weekend, Camila headed to the jewelry store early and stopped at the counter displaying gold jewelry.

“Could you show me those earrings?” Camila pointed at a pair patterned with delicate willow branches.

“Miss, you have great taste. These just arrived yesterday. They’re very elegant and dignified,” the salesperson said enthusiastically. Camila tried them on. It looked elegant a style her grandmother would appreciate.

“Is there a promotion for these?” Camila asked.

The salesperson quickly typed on the computer, replying, “The craftsmanship fee can be discounted. This will be $3600.8.”

Camila bit her lip and swiped her card.

When she drove back to her hometown, the diner was closed. Camila got home, and her mother had already packed everything. Today was her grandmother’s birthday. Her grandmother’s deep–seated preference for males had made it hard for her mother after her divorce. When her mother sought refuge in her parental home, her grandmother refused to take them in, insisting her mother humble herself and beg her worthless father not to divorce. Every visit was inevitably filled with criticism and complaints.

Claire hugged her daughter tenderly, “Camila, If Grandma says anything unpleasant, don’t take it to heart…