Chapter 344
In the office, Emma’s phone suddenly lit up.
Seeing Eason’s name on the screen made her heart skip a beat.
She swiftly unlocked her phone and opened the message.
Then, she saw the message Eason had sent.
Emma stared at the message, reading it over and over. Once she was certain she wasn’t mistaken, a look” of bewilderment washed over her face.
Eason… had feelings for her?
But how could that be possible?
How could someone like her ever be liked by anyone?
While thinking this, Emma couldn’t resist rereading the message.
Her heart started to race.
Eason confessed his liking for her.
And he had even invited her to meet that very evening.
Even though she found it hard to believe, it appeared to be the undeniable truth.
Holding the phone, Emma’s hand began to shake slightly.
7 p.m. tonight.
The Orange Bistro.
Should she go?
Emma felt a mix of fear and panic, but also a sense of joy and sweetness.
A myriad of emotions intertwined in her mind, trapping her in its midst.
It was time to get off work.
Emma, blending in with the flow of people leaving the office, had her head down, ready to leave.
In the past, due to her introverted nature, people rarely approached her for a conversation.
But today, several colleagues initiated conversations with her.
“Ms. Garcia, are you joining us for dinner tonight?” Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
Emma, surprised by the attention, shook her head. “No… no, I’m planning to go home.”
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“So early? You’ve never joined our department’s gatherings before. Give us the honor today?” another colleague said enthusiastically.
“Yeah, come on, just this once,” others chimed in.
Emma, a bit flustered, mumbled a few responses before making a quick escape.
Her cab was already waiting downstairs.
She quickly got into the cab.
Once the car door closed, her anxious feelings began to settle.
Although Emma was initially frightened by this unexpected warmth, a subtle hope started to bubble up
within her.
She could feel it.
Their invitations stemmed from recognition, pot mockery or embarrassment.
Did this mean she was occasionally likable after all?
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And Eason…
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Could it be that he truly liked her?
Emma had pre–set her destination, and the taxi driver was about to start the car.
Suddenly, Emma’s heart leaped, and she instructed hurriedly, “Take me to the Orange Bistro, please.”
The car started.
Emma watched her flushed face reflected in the window, feeling her heartbeat quicken.
She believed that someone like her wasn’t deserving of love or emotional happiness.
But still, she couldn’t help wanting to go through with this.
Even if it was just to tell Eason they weren’t suitable.
She wanted to tell him in person.
Emma arrived at the Orange Bistro.
When she arrived, she happened to meet Penny at the entrance.
Upon seeing Emma, Penny expressed surprise. “Emma, what brings you here?”
Penny looked at Emma, slightly taken aback.
Today’s Emma seemed quite different from before.
Had she not been watching the entrance, she might not have recognized her.
Penny narrowed her eyes slightly.
She hadn’t expected that the previously plump and plain woman, once spruced up, actually looked
quite good.
Emergency calls only MOFO
Penny felt a twinge of jealousy, but quickly regained her composure.
Despite Emma’s improved appearance, she remained someone not deemed worthy of serious consideration.
Her brother wasn’t one to judge by appearances; he might be drawn to the girl he was supposed to meet today, known for her intelligence and beauty. But as for Emma… Penny was unconcerned.
‘Eason’s standards were high. He wouldn’t fall for someone like Emma,‘ thought Penny.
“I… I…” Emma’s words faltered as panic set in.
‘Why is Penny here?‘ Emma wondered.
“How did you
know my
brother was dining here tonight?” Penny asked with a smile.
Emma grew even more panicked, her hands twisting nervously. “I just… just…”
“Ah,” Penny said, as if she had just realized, still smiling. “Has my brother already told you?”
“You… you know too?” Emma asked, her cheeks flushing.
Penny chuckled lightly, but a hint of disdain flickered in her eyes.
Could Emma, of all people, truly believe that her brother would be interested in her?
Penny’s smile somehow became even more affable. “Are you here to see my brother?”
Emma, blushing, lowered her gaze. “Has he… has he arrived?”
“He’s right inside,” Penny said gently, “Emma, you have to fight for your own happiness. I’m here to support you always.”
Emma interpreted Penny’s words as encouragement to accept Eason’s advances.
“I… I’m not worthy of him,” Emma murmured, head still bowed.
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Witnessing Emma’s timid demeanor, Penny felt even more disdain.
If Eason ever fell for someone like Emma, Penny would eat her hat.
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Penny’s smile became even more radiant as she spoke, “You should at least give it a try, right? If not, it’s
always best to clarify things.”
Emma pursed her lips and nodded earnestly.
With her condition, she couldn’t impose on others.
She had feelings for Eason.
Yet, she refused to be a burden to him.
Emma lowered her gaze, feeling troubled but resolved.
She was going to make things clear with Eason.
Seeing Emma’s resolute stance, Penny gave a soft chuckle and urged, “Go ahead then.”
“Alright,” Emma agreed, and then she made her way inside.
Emma walked into the restaurant, her figure gradually disappearing from view.
A faint, elusive gleam appeared in Penny’s eyes.
The timing was perfect; it was as if fate was on her side.
The girl Eason was supposed to meet was from a distinguished family.
A woman of her standing, even if smitten, would still have her pride.
Should Emma create a disturbance, the arranged meeting would surely be spoiled.
Summoning all her bravery, Emma entered the appointed private room.
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Inside, Eason was seated by himself.
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Upon the door’s opening, Eason looked up and greeted instinctively, “Hello…”
He stopped mid–sentence upon seeing Emma.
A hint of surprise crossed his face. “Emma?”
Not understanding Eason’s astonished look, Emma mustered all her courage and said, “I’m sorry, can’t return your feelings.”
Eason was utterly bewildered.
He was completely beyond words.
but I
Emma, believing he was just stunned, went on, “I’m happy and grateful that you could like someone like me. But someone like me shouldn’t be in a relationship. It would only hurt you. So, I’m sorry, Eason. I can’t return your feelings, and I can’t be with you.”
Eason’s shock intensified.
‘What’s going on?‘ he wanted to ask.
His mind was in a whirl of confusion.
Just as Emma finished, a quivering voice echoed from the doorway. “You… you’re already in love with someone else?”
Someone was behind her?
Emma, feeling a chill, spun around swiftly.
Standing behind her was a stunningly beautiful woman, gazing at Eason with an expression of utter disbelief.
Next to her stood Judith, who looked at Emma with a shocked expression.
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calls onlyMOFO
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Eason, feeling overwhelmed, rushed to explain, “There’s been a misunderstanding.”
“What misunderstanding?” the young woman asked.
Eason turned towards Emma and was at a loss for words for a moment.
How was he supposed to know what the misunderstanding was?
Why had Emma suddenly come to say such things to him?
But observing Emma’s fearful trembling, Eason couldn’t outright dismiss her as being fanciful, leaving him unsure of how to properly respond.
Gaining composure, the young woman picked up her bag and said tearfully, “I understand now. I wish. you both happiness.”
With that, she ran off crying.
“Caroline, wait…” Judith cast a stern look at Eason before swiftly following the young woman.
Now, only Eason and Emma remained in the room.
An awkward silence enveloped the room.