Chapter 14
“Mommy, how did your interview go?” Ian wore a giraffe hat as he sat at the dining table. He looked obedient as he asked Noelle how things had gone.
At the slight shift in her expression, he and Philip hurried to comfort her.
“It’s okay, Mommy. I’ll study hard and care for you in the future!”
“It’s fine, Noelle. Keep it up, and don’t give up!”
She shook her head as she looked at them. “No, everything’s good. I, uh, got the job at Hartman Group.”
Ian and Philip widened their eyes.
“That’s great, Mommy!”
“Hartman Group? That Hartman Group?”
Noelle nodded, feeling awkward as she thought about what had happened during the interview that morning.
“First up is Noelle Jensen!”
Noelle entered the room nervously and took a deep breath before sitting down. She’d practiced her self–introduction many times, so she started, “Good morning, everyone. I—”
Christian interrupted her. “Ms. Jensen, I’d like to ask about your marital status.”
Noelle and the other interviewers widened their eyes in shock. Joe leaned close to Christian and hissed, “What are you doing, Mr. Hartman?”
The latter didn’t even bat an eye. He smiled and said, “Please be frank about this, Ms. Jensen.”
Noelle bit her lip and said, “I was married, and I have a son.”
“Are you divorced now?” He looked into her eyes. “How old is your son?”
Why did she feel like she was on a blind date?
She smiled awkwardly and said, “The divorce has already been finalized, and my son is five this year.”
“Alright.” Christian nodded. “Here’s my next question–do you like Ivalian cuisine, Ms. Jensen?”
Noelle snapped out of her memories and shook her head. No, she couldn’t tell her family about such a bizarre interview!
She switched the subject as Ian and Philip gazed at her in awe. “I heard that Hartman Group’s benefits are pretty good. This means I’ll be able to save up more money!”
“Hartman Group? You went for an interview there?” Marie came over with a pot of broth. “Hurry up and help me, you two! This is really hot!”
Ian and Filip hurriedly helped her place the pot on the table.
Marie continued, “I have a student who works there. I think his name is Christian. Do you remember him? He used to come over here quite often during his school days!”
Noelle froze,
Marie added, “Well, you were still young then. You used to call him Chris, and you always wanted him to take you on rides on his bike.”
“Now that you mention it, I remember that too! Noelle used to hoard the backseat of his bike and say that she was the only one who could ride on it!” Philip looked thoughtful. “He’s a pretty great guy, you know! He comes from quite a rich family, and he went abroad to study when he was in high school.
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“I think he’s still single… He’s recently returned to the country, too. Do you want to meet him, Noelle? Maybe things will work out between you two!” Marie pulled out her phone and put on her reading glasses as she started scrolling through her contacts.
lan asked, “Are you going to get me a new daddy, Mommy? I’m fine with anyone as long as he treats you well, but I have to see how he performs first!”
Noelle pressed a hand to her forehead at their reactions. “Mom, Dad, stop! Christian and I are from different worlds–there’s no way anything will happen between us!”
“Who said we’re from different worlds? Why don’t I know about that?” A warin voice rang out, and everyone turned to see Christian standing at the door with two bags full of gifts. He even had a bouquet of roses squeezed underneath his arm. He said, “I came to visit you, Ms. White, Mr. Jensen.”
He entered the house with familiarity. “Why’d you guys forget to lock the door? It may be a lot safer nowadays, but you still have to be careful!”
Noelle couldn’t help thinking that he was probably the biggest danger around.
“You must be lan, right? I wasn’t in time to prepare a gift for you. How about I take you to the mall tomorrow?” Christian asked as he crouched to be at eye level with fan.
tan blinked at him. “Are you Mr. Hartman?”
“You’re really smart! I like you already.” Christian enthusiastically pulled lan into his arms and rubbed his head.
“Are you pursuing Mommy, Mr. Hartman?” Ian looked up and asked.
Philip and Marie widened their eyes as they dazedly looked between Christian and Noelle.
“How’d you know that?” Christian chuckled and pinched Ian’s chubby cheek.
“The way you look at Mommy is different from how you look at everyone else…” Ian answered. That made Noelle flush.
