Helen’s POV:
A few hours before I closed for the day, Phil suddenly walked up to me and announced, "Helen, my
mother has asked me to invite you to dinner at our house.Please help me.I can’t stand her nagging
anymore."
An embarrassed flush heated my cheeks at the words, but I had no choice but to refuse his request
once again.
"It would be better if I didn’t go.It won’t be good if your mother misunderstands our relationship."
"She won’t, I promise.Just see this as a visit to your friend’s house.And my mother is a really good
cook.You won’t regret having dinner with us."
Phil winked at me, a small smile on his face.In the end, I had no other choice but to acquiesce.
Phil’s mother had already invited me to dinner at their house several times and I had refused each
time.If I declined once again, I would come off as discourteous.So after work, I bought some powers
and went to Phil’s parents’ house with him.I had just sat down in the passenger seat of Phil’s car when
I suddenly remembered George’s words before he left.
"Don’t fall in love with him.Phil is not suitable for you."
I scoffed softly, mentally disregarding his words.
George was so self-righteous.It didn’t matter how he tried to spin it because the truth was that Phil was
a great man, and in fact, George had no right to tell me what I should and shouldn’t do.
"You looked worn out.How’s your case? If you are burning the midnight oil because of the Spacetime
Finance, then I would like to suggest that you stop.All you can really do is try your best.Don’t put
yourself under too much stress,"
Phil murmured, undisguised concern in his eyes.
"That’s not the case at all.I just haven’t slept well in the past few days, that’s all.I’m fine."
Feeling a bit self conscious, I patted my face and leaned against the passenger seat wearily.I really
couldn’t explain the reason for my recent bout of insomnia.
Even though I fell asleep at night, I always woke about two or so hours later.
Since I didn’t sleep well at night, I was usually very tired and exhausted during the day.
"You are just under too much pressure.You shouldn’t exert yourself to the extent where you are
exhausted.You need to take time out to relax or the result won’t be good.How will you enjoy the results
of all your hard work if you end up sick or hospitalized?"
Phil chattered while driving.I hummed in assent.
What I failed to tell Phil was that my sleepless nights were not caused by pressure, but by my sudden
fear of the dark.
For some reason, I was convinced that there was someone lurking in my apartment.
Each time I turned off the lights and my apartment was dark, my heart would race with fear, and no
matter what I did, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this unknown person was in the dark staring at me.
My sleep would flee in an instant.
Even after I eventually managed to force myself to go back to sleep, I would always wake up with a
start.
I knew quite well that my fear was irrational and the figure I saw was nothing but a figment of my
imagination, but no matter what I did to convince myself that no one was in the room–even going as far
as to search every inch of my apartment several times at night — I couldn’t relax enough to sleep
through the night.
However, I fell asleep mere moments after I sat in the passenger seat of Phil’s car.
Perhaps it was because there was someone next to me, but after several nights, I was finally at ease.
I didn’t rouse until Phil gently woke me up.I sat up and realized that we had arrived.
Phil’s mother rushed out of the house with a wide smile.
She welcomed me with effusive hugs and a wide smile.
We walked to the house arm in arm as she happily chattered away.
In a sedate manner, Phil walked in behind us, content to watch his mother and I converse "Helen, you
are more beautiful than in the photo."
Never before had I been the recipient of such an enthusiastic and warm welcome.
Even though I was not used to such level of familiarity, I managed to reply with a smile, "Thank you,
Mrs.Mason.You are looking very young and beautiful as well."
Phil’s mother grinned from ear to ear when she heard my words.
As soon as we entered the house, Phil’s mother disengaged her arm from mine and went into the
kitchen to complete her cooking.
Only Phil and I were left in the living room.
I sat on the sofa and breathed a sigh of relief.
"I hope you don’t mind my mother.She has always been like this," Phil muttered ruefully.
his face flushed with embarrassment "She is very nice."
I really thought that Phil’s mother was a good person.
Although I was slightly overwhelmed by her enthusiasm, I could clearly feel her love for me.
Except for my own mother, I had never experienced such affection from elders before.
After a while.
Phil’s mother and father came out of the kitchen and the table was full of delicious dishes.
Phil’s father was also a good man.He didn’t talk much, but whatever Phil’s mother said, he would agree
with her with a smile.
It was quite obvious that the couple truly loved each other.
Phil’s family were warm and friendly.
Basking in the warmth of their friendliness, I gradually relaxed, Since graduated from high school and
my father passed away, I rarely had the chance to have dinner with the elders.
As I chatted away with Phil and his parents, I couldn’t help but think that it felt like a lifetime ago since I
had a nice homemade dinner with my own family like this.
"Helen, if Phill ever troubles you, just let me know and I will teach him a lesson."
Phil’s mother served some food into my plate and stared at Phil with narrowed eyes.
"Phil’s very nice.He helps me a lot at work and always takes good care of newcomers," I explained with
a smile.
"Although he is professional and serious at work, when it comes to his private life, he is not good at
sweet words and soft phrases.He’s always making impromptu comic gestures and remarks to conceal
his clumsiness.Helen, if he makes you unhappy, just scold him.You don’t have to show him any mercy!"
Phil’s mother couldn’t stop complaining about her son.Phil said with an awkward smile, "Mom, please
don’t embarrass me in front of my friend."
We chatted while eating, and soon the topic shifted to me.
Phil’s mother began to inquire about my family This was my opportunity to tell them the truth about my
family background.
Most especially Phil’s mother.
I wanted to tell her as soon as the chance came up because it was the one thing guaranteed to make
her give up on me.
So, I seized the opportunity and told her the truth about my family.
"My father passed away when I graduated from high school.My mother used to be an accountant in a
local company in Philly.Sometime later, my mother was unable to cope with my father’s death and it
resulted in a mental issue for her.Now she lives in a hospital all year round"
When I finished my recital, I raised my head and looked at the people I was having dinner with.
Their warm smiles from earlier had disappeared and they all stared at me silently My eyes found Phil’s
mother and the expression on her face shocked me.Her eyes were red with unshed tears.She reached
out and held my hand tightly.Her expression was full of pity even though she managed a small smile.
"Oh, you poor thing, How have you been able to cope all these years? It must have been very hard for
you."
Her reaction was totally different from what I expected.Every word she said was sincere, and Fcould
tell that the love in her eyes was not fake.
I felt like the softest spot in my heart was hit by something, and my eyes began to burn with tears I
thought Phil’s mother would avoid me like the plague when she heard about my family background.
This was the first time that someone asked me if those dark years had been hard for me, 1 suppressed
the feeling of gratitude in my heart and shook my head with a smile.
"It’s all over now.Thank you for your concern, Mrs.Mason."
"Good girl, you don’t have to be so polite and formal to me.From now on, take this place as your own
home and you can come here at any time if you want.As for your mother, you S should take Phil along
when you visit her.He can also help you find a better nurse to take care of her."
Phil’s mother touched my hair gently and looked at me lovingly.I was so moved that I couldn’t speak.I
felt like the luckiest girl in the world to have come across such kind-hearted people.
The dinner had been forced on me in the beginning, but right now, I was grateful for Phil’s persistence.
And I really wanted to get to know Phil’s mother better.
After dinner, I went to the kitchen to help wash the dishes.
But Phil’s mother refused and pushed me out of the kitchen.
"You don’t have to do this.The kitchen is now equipped with all those smart products of Zhester
Technology.It has made doing the chores easier and faster.You can sit and chat with Phil."
Phil’s mother’s attitude was firm.I couldn’t change her mind, so I had to give up.
Phil seemed to have expected this result.He smiled and teased, "This is the first time I’ve brought a girl
home for dinner.My mother is very excited now."
Even though he said the words casually, it sounded to me like he was trying to express his love in
different words.
I didn’t know how to respond, so I stayed silent.
When I was ready to leave, Phil’s mother walked me to the car and made me promise ! | would come
back again.
I was touched by her enthusiasm and nodded unconsciously.
From that day on, my relationship with Phil seemed to be different.
Sometimes I wondered if I should try dating him.
62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda