Chapter 136 A Contract
Amelia was shocked to hear such an unreserved answer from Derrick, but she agreed nonetheless.
“Sure. We’ll see you in the evening.”
Amelia fell into deep thoughts after she hung up. She still could not get her head around what was happening. Judging from the man’s mannerisms, he was not as bad as Tiffany said he was. Besides, he clearly sounded like a young man.
He must be a rich and successful man, but Tiffany painted a direct opposite picture. Amelia did not know if she should laugh at what her friend made him up to be.
When Tiffany finally came home, Amelia was looking at her phone.
“Hey, Babe, I’m back. You shouldn’t spend so much time on your phone. It’s not good for the baby,” she said.
“Mr. Hisson called just now, so I picked up.” Amelia’s words struck Tiffany like a lightning bolt.
Her hand froze for a while as she put the food on the table. She gave off a rigid laugh and tried to sound natural. “Did he say anything?”
Amelia continued looking at her phone as a subtle smile played across her lips. “Tiff, it seems like you’re hiding a lot of things from me, aren’t you? Don’t you think you owe me an explanation?”
Tiffany arranged the food on the table and tried to play dumb. “I don’t understand what you’re saying, Babe.”
The smile on Amelia’s face slowly faded as she locked her gaze at Tiffany.
Tiffany really did not like her behaving like this.
“Babe, stop doing this to me. You know I really can’t take you looking at me like this. I’ll tell you everything, okay?”
Amelia crossed her arms. “You’d better come clean this time. We’ve been friends for so many years. It’s not like I’ll do anything to harm you.”
“Alright. Let’s eat first. I bought some of your favorite snacks. I’ll go grocery shopping later. I’ll make you some chicken soup later. You’re too thin for your own good. Your baby is already seven-month-old and your limbs are still so skinny.”
“Don’t change the topic,” Amelia warned as she ate away.
Tiffany took some food herself and mumbled as she munched, “Babe, I didn’t.”
“From your boss’ voice, I can tell he’s our age. His voice is so magnetic, so I guess he must be an attractive man. But someone clearly said he was short, fat, and ugly. You should at least do him some justice,” Amelia said.
Tiffany choked and coughed furiously when she heard her. Amelia quickly got her a glass of water and passed her some tissue before patting her on the back. “You okay?”
Tiffany took a sip of water and waved her hand lightly. “I’m fine. I was just shocked.”
“There must be something going on between the two of you. Tell me, how long has this been going on?” Amelia interrogated.
Tiffany broke out in a fit of an uncontrollable cough again. She stared at her friend and cried out, “Babe! Can you stop doing that to me?”
Amelia shrugged and shot her a cheeky grin. “Alright, I’ll stop, but you’ll have to tell me everything. Are you guys still at first base? Or second, or third?”
Tiffany rolled her eyes at Amelia. “Babe, how did I not realize you’re actually that nosy. Did something get into you today? Or have you been hiding this side of you all this while?”
“This is my true self. I’m just so curious about other people’s lives,” Amelia replied wittily, blinking her eyes at her.
“Oh, by the way, I’ve already made an appointment with him. We’re meeting him at six. We need to talk about your contract. And of course, I need to see for myself this man who stole your heart away. There must be something special about him that attracts you. You’re completely immune to handsome men like Oscar and Carter.”
Tiffany’s food fell from her mouth onto her plate as she stared at Amelia.
“Are you kidding me, Babe?”
“He called just now, and I’ve already promised him. He’s your superior, so it’s not like we can back out, right?”
Babe, I didn’t know you’re this cunning.
Tiffany could not believe this was the Amelia she knew.
“Why not we skip grocery shopping. We’ll eat out for dinner instead. I really want to meet him,” Amelia insisted.
“Babe, there’s really nothing going on between us. Our relationship is purely professional. Don’t you think it’s too much to meet him privately after work?” Tiffany asked.
“Even if there’s really nothing between you two, you still have to meet him to talk about work. If he’s really canceling your contract because of the Yards, I’ll talk to him as a Clinton. I’ll let him know that you have me as your backing.”
Tiffany was moved by Amelia’s words. “Babe, don’t get all cheesy with me. I’ll blame it on you if you make me cry.”
“Finish up. We’ll go for a good meal tonight. After all, it’s his treat. We should just go,” Amelia said, passing her some food.
Tiffany thought about it and finally nodded.
“Tiff, if you really like him, you should let him know,” Amelia suggested. But on second thought, she changed her mind. “Fine. Let’s just wait for him to take action. The fact that he called you means he doesn’t see you just as his employee. He’s a busy man. He doesn’t need to waste his time and energy on a mere author like you.”
“I’m not sure if I should take this as a compliment, Babe.”
Amelia raised her brows and blinked her eyes slowly as if she expected Tiffany to know what she really meant.
“Babe, you’ll know we’re not of the same world when you see him. He’s prince charming in a fairy tale whom every girl dream of. He’s perfect, handsome, successful and he comes from a good family. Yes, I’m an independent woman who’s able to fend for myself, but I’m still a Cinderella in everyone’s eyes. There’s no way two of us can come to the same level,” Tiffany said with a solemn look on her face.
It pained Amelia to see her like this. She patted Tiffany on the head and comforted her. “Since when did the Tiffany I know became so doubtful of herself? You’re the one who told me that we are people who work hard and can afford to enjoy the fruits of our labor. You said we should feel proud of ourselves instead of feeling inferior. Have you forgotten what you said?”
“Babe, I told you not to make me cry. It was just adrenaline at play when I saw him. That’s why I was all flustered. Don’t worry, I know how to deal with relationships. I won’t invest too much in a relationship I know won’t come to fruition. I won’t get myself hurt. Besides, we’ve agreed to take care of your baby together.”
Amelia smiled and said no more, but she was beginning to worry about Tiffany.
Love was not something you could just brush aside when it came knocking, else there would not be any unrequited lovers. Many could not help but fall in love, and they only sunk deeper when they struggled to break themselves free.
Tiffany might be loud and unrestrained sometimes, and she might even be an avid believer of singlehood, but she still had that desire for love in her bones. The fact that she was a romance novel writer showed that she had a longing for love, but she was aware of the harsh reality at the same time. On one hand, she was dreaming about meeting her prince charming; on the other, but her dream was suppressed by reality. Hence, Amelia really was not sure how these two conflicting forces would affect Tiffany when she finally met her Mr. Right.
When the clock almost struck six, Amelia sent Derrick a text and told him the place she and Tiffany chose. A terse reply darted back swiftly.
“Sure. See you in thirty minutes.”
Tiffany glanced at his message and pursed her lips. “Seriously, all the successful people behave the same way. He’s just like your husband.”
Amelia smiled without saying a word.
The two women changed into something simple and went downstairs together. After they got into Tiffany’s car, she fastened the seatbelt for Amelia and lowered her head toward her baby bump. “Sweetheart, we’re going for a nice meal now. Is there anything you’d like to eat? Let Mommy know if what you want, and I’ll get it for you. You’re the boss here, and your mom comes second. I’m here to serve both of you,” Tiffany said cheekily.
“You should just start the car,” Amelia said, shaking her head.
Tiffany sat back in her seat and put on her own seatbelt. “Sweetheart, I’m driving now. I’ll bring you to a place with all the nice food.”
Amelia looked at her from the side as she drove. “Tiff, you should have a child yourself if you really like kids. You’re a good catch, so you should consider getting into a relationship if you meet someone who’s interested in you. Don’t just bury yourself in your books all the time.”
“Stop it, Babe. I just want to earn a lot of money for you and Sweetheart. It’s not like I hope you’ll get a divorce though. I’m just preparing for rainy days. I always believe that we women should set aside some money for ourselves, only then we’ll be able to live their life to the fullest even without men. Money is the only thing that won’t betray us in our lives. We can’t even say for sure if our family will turn their backs on us.”
A frown appeared on Amelia’s brows. “I don’t agree though.”
“Alright, fine. I shouldn’t have said that. But it’s really all adrenaline talking when I called and told you that I’ve fallen in love. I wasn’t thinking clearly back then and I said something irrational. Don’t take me seriously. He and I don’t come from the same world. You’d better not get too enthusiastic about shipping us when you see him.”
Amelia’s lips curved in an ambiguous smile as she glanced at her. “Tiff, why do you have to explain your relationship with him over and over again? Is there something necessary, to begin with?”
Tiffany quickly shut up.
It was times like this that made her think it was not entirely a good thing to have a friend who was too smart.
“Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. I know what I should and shouldn’t do. I won’t interfere with your relationship, just like how you never got yourself involved in my marriage. I’ll support you whether or not you enter into a relationship with him.”
Her words tugged at Tiffany’s heartstrings as they exchanged understanding looks. It only took one glance for them to know what was on the other person’s mind.
They agreed to meet at a Chanaean restaurant. The waiters and waitresses all looked impeccable in traditional clothing.
When they saw Amelia and Tiffany coming in, one of them hurried over and smiled politely. “Mrs. Clinton?”
Amelia nodded.
“We’ve prepared a private dining room for you. Over here,” the waitress said.
The two women followed her up to the second floor and took a right turn before walking down a corridor. The waitress opened the door before them and gestured at them to enter.
“There’s another friend coming over later. We’ll order when he’s here,” Amelia said after both of them were seated.
“Sure. I’ll come back again later then,” the waitress said.
After she was gone, Tiffany started surveying the classically decorated private room. “I really like the vintage ambiance. It’s so elegant. This is a good place to dine. Have you been here before? They’re really polite to you.”
“Yeah. I have been here with Oscar a few times. He even told the boss that I’m his wife.”
