Chapter 23
Millie noticed the solemn expression on Winston’s face after listening to Joanna’s words. Suddenly, a thought came to her.
With a smile, Millie walked over to Simon and linked her arm with his. She looked up at Simon with her enchanting eyes and asked, ” Mr. Harrison, since Ms. Lowell thinks we’d make a good couple, should we try to go on a date?”
Simon narrowed his eyes at Winston and Joanna. Winston looked completely dejected. Suddenly, Simon seemed to understand where Millie was coming from and he went along.
He put his arm around Millie’s slender waist and pulled her close. ” Ms. Caldwell, are you saying you agree to let me date you?” His deep voice sounded as beautiful as a cello.
Millie nodded. She looked flirtatious and charming as she fiddled with Simon’s tie.
A smile spread across Simon’s face. He deliberately leaned close to Millie’s ear and whispered, “I’m greatly honored.”
Simon glanced up at Winston, who had become extremely grim. There seemed to be countless blades hidden in his piercing eyes.
Winston’s gaze moved slowly from Simon’s hand to his face. He found Simon smiling smugly at him. It was undoubtedly a challenge.
Meanwhile, Joanna noticed that Winston was acting strangely. She put her arm around him and said with a smile, “Mr. Harrison, it’s unusual to see you like this. You seem to be very fond of Mills.”
Joanna’s original plan was to show affection for Winston in front of Millie, but it ended up backfiring and causing an unexpected turn of
events.
Millie watched Winston and Joanna nonchalantly. Simon turned to
Joanna, pushed up his glasses, and cheerfully remarked, “Guys tend to lose their cool around someone they fancy. Honestly, I’m fond of Ms. Caldwell”
Winston was displeased when he heard Simon’s response. Anger surged within him, especially when he noticed Millie smiling so. warmly at Simon. She used to reserve those smiles for Winston.
Millie suddenly agreed to divorce Winston and quickly found a new partner. Winston wasn’t sure if she was genuinely moving on or just trying to put on a show for him.
With no reason to stay, Joanna smiled and said, “We won’t disturb you any longer. Win, shall we grab dinner? I’m starving.”
Winston stared blankly at Millie and mumbled a response to Joanna.
After Winston and Joanna left, Millie released Simon’s arm. Her expression saddened as she saw Winston and Joanna walking away. She hadn’t anticipated Winston’s indifference to her flirting with Simon.
Despite Winston having an affair with Joanna during their marriage, he couldn’t handle the thought of Millie being with someone else..
Millie understood Winston’s reaction perfectly. The displeased expression on his face wasn’t because he still cared about her, but rather because he felt his pride as a husband had been insulted.
“Understanding the marriages of young people can be quite. puzzling,” Simon said.
Millie turned and expressed her thanks.
“Why thank me? It’s a’pleasure to be your ally,” Simon replied. Then, he looked at her with a raised eyebrow, leaned forward, and confessed, “But honestly, everything I said before was sincere.”
Millie responded with a look of disdain.
“How about we try a real relationship? How does that sound?” Simon said with a happy smile.
Simon and Millie found themselves very close to each other. They were almost close enough to kiss.
For a moment, Simon reminded her of Winston when they were in high school–gentle but mischievous. It made her wonder if all the guys were similar. Feeling sad, Millie clenched her fists.
When Simon noticed she wasn’t reacting, he chuckled and playfully tapped her on the head. “Just kidding.”
Millie couldn’t help but laugh. “Mr. Harrison, you have to stop teasing me.”
“Yeah, I know.” Simon nodded. He signaled for Millie to sit down and continue eating.
Meanwhile, Winston watched the scene from nearby as he waited for the elevator. Millie and Simon were talking and laughing, and the mood was flirtatious.
“Looks like Mills has found someone special. I’m truly happy for her, “Joanna said with a smile beside Winston.
Winston’s expression turned cold at the words “someone special“. He looked away and got into the elevator with a blank look on his face. Joanna could sense his unease,
There was a tension around him that made her hesitate to say more. Ever since Winston had decided to divorce Millie, he seemed distant whenever Millie was mentioned, and that bothered Joanna.
She decided to speed up their divorce so they would not have to continue seeing each other and to clear up any lingering doubts.
■15 BONUS
“Ms. Caldwell, I’m available tomorrow and would like to bring my dad to see you. Would that be convenient for you?” Simon asked as he poured Millie a glass of wine.
Just as Millie was about to decline, Simon added, “I hope you won’t
say no. It feels right to visit since you saved my dad. Plus, we’ve developed some kind of connection now.”
With a smile, Millie asked, “What kind of connection?”
“A blind date,” Simon replied. He lifted his eyebrow playfully to hint that she might be overthinking. Millie had to admit that Simon did have a good sense of humor.
“Sure, anytime,” she agreed with a nod.
“Great!” Simon’s excitement was clear in his tone.
Millie couldn’t help but glance at him before lowering her head and shaking it slightly. She wondered if she would have fallen for Winston if she had met someone as mature and dependable as Simon a few years ago.
The duo got on quite well during dinner. After they finished eating, Simon offered to drive Millie home but she refused. “I need to meet up with a friend. You should head off, Mr. Harrison.”
As they stood outside the hotel, a gentle breeze tousled Millie’s hair. Simon understood that Millie was trying to avoid being a nuisance to him, but he couldn’t allow her to walk home on her own at such a late hour. It just wasn’t safe.
“I’ll call a taxi and my driver can give you a ride,” Simon suggested.
Millie looked at Simon. She was touched by his gentlemanly offer. She smiled warmly and said, “You go ahead. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Simon recognized that Millie was determined, and he had no choice but to agree.
Millie let out a small sigh as she watched his car pull away. She left the hotel and stepped out into the overcast weather. She felt a slight chill in the air.
Carrying her bag, she strolled along like a child, simply enjoying the moment as she stepped over the square tiles beneath her feet.
After a while, Millie halted in front of a high–end boutique. She gazed at the dazzling display of clothing and jewelry on the storefront.
Suddenly, a memory from high school flooded back to her. It was the year she and Terrence had argued. Terrence had canceled her credit card in a fit of rage.
Ironically, she had been eyeing a limited edition dress but couldn’t afford it. She still couldn’t get the dress even after trying to convince her family to help.
The next time Millie passed by the store, she saw that the dress she desired had been sold out. However, shortly after, she found herself in possession of the same dress. Winston had bought it for her and assured her she could have anything she desired.
Millie felt something warm at the corners of her lips. She wiped her face and realized tears were streaming down.
Back in high school, Winston had been incredibly kind to her. But now, he treated her with hostility and even humiliated her with hurtful words. Their relationship could never return to what it once
was.