Chapter 52 Safety âIf youâre anxious, sit closer to me, Darling. I donât mind,â Finnegan offered.
After the couple entered the bar, they picked the most secluded table in the venue. It was clearly Berniceâs first time in a bar because she was sitting stiffly, looking as though she didnât fit in with the surrounding.
âI mind because Iâm worried youâll take advantage of me.â Despite her words, she still inched closer to Finnegan.
However, he didnât tease her about it. Instead, he wrapped one arm around her waist while. using the other to pour her a glass of wine. âCome, letâs toast.â
Bernice lifted the glass with a grin. âBe honest, Meanie. Are you trying to make me drunk?â
As the saying goes, one must be bold and meticulous when chasing after a woman! While Iâve never fallen in love before, I understand what that sentence means. In response, he nodded honestly. âI was thinking about that. Once youâre drunk, Iâll carry you to a hotel and make you a mother in ten months.â
She thought Finnegan would pretend to be at least a little gentlemanly.
To her surprise, he replied honestly, which amused her as she snickered.
It was evident Bernice wasnât upset by Finneganâs statement or thought he had a bad character.
Blushing, she toasted with him and spoke in a tiny voice. âWhile I wonât say no to intimate acts, I wonât give you what you want until that night, Meanie. This is my bottom line, so donât try to force it to happen!â
She sounded as though she had spent all her courage near the end of her sentence before. emptying her glass in one go.
Finnegan smiled. âSo, youâre saying I can do anything with you except for that one thing?â
âI didnât say that. Just drink your wine.â.
After laughing, he emptied his glass, too.
The two were amid an emotional upswing, thanks to the atmosphere and the stimulation from the alcohol.
Finnegan hugged Bernice tightly and whispered next to her ear, âDonât you think our first kiss on the street isnât memorable enough, Darling?â
Thanks to her wits, she immediately understood what he meant.
Flushing in embarrassment, she whispered, âWhat are you planning to do? There are many people here.â
âYou, of course.â He then planted a kiss on her head.
Because they were in a dark corner and they already had a few glasses of wine, she didnât. push him away. Instead, she embraced him tightly and reciprocated his intimacy shyly.
The kiss lasted until the music on the dance floor stopped.
Bernice lowered her red countenance and muttered, âAre you trying to groom me into a licentious woman, Meanie?â
âIf youâre only licentious toward me, then yes.â
âMeanie! I donât want to talk to you anymore!â Still influenced by the kiss from earlier, she grabbed a glass of wine and took a big swig.
It was then her phone on the table rang with the word âMomâ on the screen.
As the bar wasnât playing any music at that moment, Bernice swiftly picked up the phone. âWhatâs the matter, Mom? Iâm having a meal with a friend outside right now. I drank a little, but not much. Huh? Yes, itâs him.â
Then she hastily covered the phone and spoke to Finnegan. âMy mom correctly guessed Iâm currently with you and wants to talk to you. Donât tell her weâre at a bar right now. Otherwise, my mom will think youâre a bad influence.â
She looks like a teenager who just realized her parents found out she has a boyfriend. How adorable.
Finnegan couldnât help but pinch her cheek. âDonât worry.â
Upon grabbing the phone, he greeted politely, âMs. Jennifer.â
Jennifer spoke. âYouâre having a meal with Bernie, are you, Finnegan?â
âYes, Ms. Jennifer.â
âI see.â In a flash, she lowered her voice before continuing, âWhile both of you are adults, and my husband and I are open-minded, I still want to remind you to take precautions if youâre going to do âthatâ
because you two are still young. Anyway, have fun! I wonât hold you both any longer.â
Finnegan was dumbfounded for three seconds after she hung up before he realized what she meant.
Then, a bitter smile formed on his face.
Anxiously, Bernice asked, âWhatâs the matter?â
Grinning, he replied, âI think itâs better if you donât know.â
âCome on. tell me!â
Seeing how intrigued she was, he whispered what her mother had said to her.
Immediately. Bernice felt nonplussed. âIs she still my mother? She shouldâve warned you not to do anything crazy instead of encouraging you!â
Finnegan coughed and spoke carnestly. âThis means your parents have already treated me as their son-in-law, considering theyâre allowing me to be extra intimate with you. How about tonight, we-
âShut up. Keep dreaming.â
I was just joking. Oh, man, sheâs just so cute! I canât resist⦠Unable to stifle his urge, he pinched her check again. âSilly girl.â
âIâm two years older than you. Donât keep calling me silly girl, you dork.â
As music was reintroduced into the establishment, the lights turned dark.
Young men and women who had taken a break earlier returned to the dance floor once again to show off their moves while sweating.
To avoid being further teased by Finnegan, Bernice changed the topic. âSay, why do you think people like to spend time at a place like this, Meanie? Itâs so loud that itâs difficult to hold a conversation here. I think a pubâs better.â
He sipped his wine and remarked, âNowadays, youngsters experience far greater pressure than their forebearers, so they come to places like this bar to unwind. Of course, some may also be here purely for the excitement.â
Meanwhile, Bernice was paying attention to a pole dancer on the stage, whose countenance. was half obscured by a mask. âHuh?â
The pole dancer swayed her body seductively with a skimpy outfit on her alluring body, which aroused the men watching her.
Finnegan also stared at the dancer. âDoes it make you feel uncomfortable?â
âNot really.â Knitting her eyebrows, Bernice gazed at the woman on stage. âI just think she seems familiar. Itâs like Iâve seen her before.â
Upon hearing that, he scrutinized the pole dancer and thought the same.
It was Lien she dancing in a bar?â
Indeed, the pole dancer was Casperâs older sister and Finneganâs childhood friend, Josephine.
Frowning, Finnegan inquired. âI heard you recruited her into Firebird Groupâs sales. department. Is she not being treated well?â
She answered, âThe earnings of employees in the sales department depend on their performance and commission. However, Josephine is one of the group leaders. Therefore, even if she doesnât do anything, her monthly earnings will still easily surpass ten thousand after combining her basic salary with her groupâs commission. Besides, her family has just received a few million as compensation.
Thereâs no need for her to dance here at all.â
âWeâll wait until she finishes dancing before asking her some questions,â he stated. Josephine and her brother have taken good care of my family for the past few years. If sheâs in trouble, I canât just sit by and watch.
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