Chapter 120
Stella’s actions landed me in a bit of a pickle. Simmons seemed to have a hunch about who I was chatting with and what was being discussed. In a soothing tone, he said, “Don’t sweat it. I have a bunch of friends around here, or I can crash at a hotel. Don’t let Stella’s words get to you”
The more Simmons talked, it made it harder for me
Simmons, it’s okay! It’s just for a few days. I have two rooms here, it’s pretty convenient, I replied graciously.
“That’s very kind of you. I should be able to find a place in three days, Simmons replied, looking at me with sparkling eyes.
Well, I guessed he could stay for three days. After all, he was Stella’s brother
The next morning. I woke up to the smell of breakfast. Walking into the kitchen, I saw Simmons wearing an apron, bustling around.
“You’re up! Hurry up and eat so you can get to work,” he said, taking off his apron and bringing over a plate of salad and sausages
I usually grab a bite at the convenience store, as I’m not a fan of getting up early to cook. I had to thank him for this.
Thanks!” I said, stuffing my face with a bowl of noodles.
After finishing, I dashed off to work.
Unfortunately, I ran into Bonnie again at the office entrance. She had just gotten off her scooter. Without a second thought, I floored it and sped past her.
When it was time to get off work at noon, Bonnie suddenly popped up at our department’s entrance, causing a few male colleagues‘ eyes to pop out
“Irene!” Bonnie yelled, holding up a fancy bag.
desk was next to Kate’s, and she looked up when she heard Bonnie’s voice. Her eyes widened
She made a beeline for me.
do you want?” I asked, looking at her
made you a lunch box
at the bag
reality and realized the girl in front of her was not her sister, but Neil’s new flame, Bonnie.
for me. “Okay, thanks. You’re Bonnie, right?” she said in
huh, I’m Bonnie. And you are?” Bonnie was always sweet and
Kate, also from the development department” Kate reached out her hand to
tone was
couldn’t figure out why Kate was being
between them,
she’s just a relationship surrogate? She always thought she’s special to Neil. If she found out that Neil only liked her because she looked like someone else, would she break down and
mulling this over,
glanced at the caller ID, then at
for lunch, so I got up and left. As for
Neil was at the entrance. His expression turned cold when he saw
me. I turned around to see her bounding toward Neil like
icy expression softened a bit. He let Bonnie throw herself into his arms. They looked very much in love, as if he was
and her face turned complicated when she saw
Kate locked eyes, both of their expressions complex.
Simmons’s voice rang out. I looked over to see him not far away,
men stared
“Irene, did he come all the way here to win you over? I had a feeling he liked
be there, Simmons said. He knew about my
walked over and held my
Neil’s arms, I steeled myself and held Simmons’s hand back. “Best of luck to you guys Actually. Bonnie looked up at Neil, trying to gauge his reaction. “I
expression darkened at
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
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!