Elaine yawned, leaned back on the couch, slowly closed her eyes and fell asleep.
When Darnell got back to the office, Elaine was curled up on the couch.
He glanced back and the assistant immediately behind him said, "It was Ariel who brought her here."
Darnell looked back at her and walked toward her.
The assistant silently left and closed the door behind her.
Darnell walked up to Elaine, pulled on his tie with one hand, sat down on the coffee table behind him,
and looked at her without saying a word.
Elaine didn't know how long she had slept. Feeling a little cold, she reached out to pull the quilt in her
sleep, but didn't feel anything.
Elaine thought the quilt had fallen to the ground, and then she leaned out half of her body, her hands
fumbling on the ground.
Just as she was about to fall, Darnell finally got tired of watching and reached out and took her arm.
Elaine lifted her head, looked at him with bleary-eyed, and muttered, "Am I dreaming again?"
Darnell said, "Elaine, how could you fall asleep here like it's your home?"
Elaine sat up slowly, waking up.
She was in his office.
Elaine whispered, "I fell asleep... My Head is spinning..."
Darnell bent his finger and tapped her between the eyes. "Are you awake yet?"
Elaine felt some pain, lifted her hand and rubbed it, "Yes, yes, yes!"
Darnell retracted his hand and said, "Why are you running around when you should be in the hospital?"
Elaine slowly opened her palm, and the exquisite cufflink was visible.
"This," she said, "is yours."
Darnell glanced down and didn't say anything.
When he took her to the hospital that day, she held his hand tightly, and finally she took the cuff link.
"Also, you sent Nicholas to Switzerland," added Elaine. "I know it couldn't be a coincidence that you did
this..."
"I did it because I didn't want to owe you."
His voice was so faint that she could not hear any emotion.
Elaine shook her head. "I don't believe it. You Don't owe me anything. But you sent Nicholas to
Switzerland, celebrate my birthday with me and save me when I was in danger. I don't believe you don't
feel anything for me."
Darnell looked at her calmly and said, "Elaine, I can't respond to your feelings for me, and I don't want
to owe you something for that, which is why all this is happening, you understand?"
"Relationships are from both sides. I like you, but you don't like me. It happens. Why do you feel like
you owe me?" Elaine asked earnestly, "You feel guilty because you like me but you can't give me what
I want, right?"
Darnell looked at her, pursed his thin lips, and for a moment said, "Nonsense."
Elaine's face lit up with a smile. "You can't argue with that. I'm right."
Darnell got up and said, "you need to go back to the hospital."
It's getting dark outside for Elaine. It's time for her to go back.
Or her dad was really gonna be pissed.
She stood up, tugged at Darnell's sleeve. "I know you and my dad aren't on the same \side right now,
but I'm sure you'll come to an agreement one day, and with the James, they'll find out you're right one
day."
"I'll wait for you."
Darnell moved his hand, but didn't say a word.
Elaine just came to see him, to make her feelings clear, and now she's completely free of all mental
baggage, and she's ready to go.
She had only taken two steps when her wrist was caught.
Darnell's voice rang, "How are you going to get back?"
Elaine was stumped by his question.
When she came here, she came with Ariel, so she wasn't afraid of being found out.
But now that she's alone, what if there's someone from the James down at the office.
Before Elaine could figure it out, Darnell had passed her and gone straight ahead, "I'll drive you."
Elaine had a smile on her face, and she was running after him cheerily.
They got in the elevator, there was no heat in the elevator, just a chill in her face.
Elaine sneezed uncontrollably.
Darnell looked at her sideways, took off his jacket, and threw it at her.
Elaine took it and put it on happily.
It was rush hour and traffic was inevitably slow.
Elaine was in no hurry, just wishing the time could pass slower.
As she enjoyed the rare moment, Darnell's gentle voice rang, "Don't trust anyone but your father at the
James."
Elaine paused, then slowly nodded.
Darnell continued, "Don't take a stranger's car, and don't go out alone."
"My dad had bodyguards with me..."
Darnell looked back at her, his voice flat. "I mean this time."
Elaine,"...Oh."
She knew it, he still got mad.
For the rest of the trip, Darnell didn't talk.
Elaine thought about it before she said, "Can I ask you a question?"
Not giving Darnell a chance to say no, she then added, "What's the deal with that girl who showed up
at your house?"
Darnell said, "you said she was my girlfriend."
"But you said no," Elaine snapped
As she spoke, Elaine lowered her voice again. "I'm just... I'm just curious, she seems to be able to see
you all the time and I envy her..."
"She doesn't live in the same environment as you. There's nothing to envy."
Elaine thought he was messing with her head again, that's not what she was talking about.
Not long after, the car stopped at the side door of the hospital.
Darnell said, "This is it."
Elaine slowly unbuckled her seat belt and looked at him with a look of reluctance on her face. "When
will we see each other again?"
Darnell was silent for a moment, "I don't know."
Elaine hung her head.
Even he wasn't sure what was going to happen.
Sneaking out to see him like this, it won't happen again.
Her dad said he'd drop her off at City N.
And the next time they would see each other, it's gonna be forever.
It would be a shame to leave like this.
With that in mind, Elaine took a deep breath and said to him, "Let me tell you a secret. Come closer."
Darnell could see through her little trick, but he didn't say anything, tilted his head cooperatively and
see what she's up to.
Elaine took the opportunity to give him a quick kiss on the cheek, then opened the car door and ran
away like she was escaping him.
The whole thing happened so fast, like she had been practicing it for a thousand times.
Darnell froze, and before he knew it, Elaine was miles away.
He looked at her back for a long time, then he lowered his head, the corners of his lips inadvertently
curled.
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