Chapter 11: An Honor
The mall I was in was just four stops away from
Studio.
If I hadn’t overheard Davina arranging lunch on the phone before the lunch break, I’d have suspected that she and Fletcher had installed surveillance on me.
But since our paths crossed, I could only approach and greet them.
Davina glanced at the camera bag in my hand and asked, “Charlene, you’re into photography too?”
I smiled softly, “Just a casual interest.”
“How coincidental,” she said, giving Fletcher a meaningful look before turning to me. “I
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5 Points
was worried I wouldn’t pick the right one. Charlene, could you help me choose?”
This brand’s cameras start in the five–digit range, nearly equivalent to Davina’s two–month salary. The way she spoke so casually about it must mean Fletcher was footing the bill.
“Sorry, I haven’t eaten yet, I declined her offer, adding, “You can ask the sales assistant, they’re more professional.”
Davina’s smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, saying, “I didn’t think that through. Sorry!”
I smiled back and walked into the crowd.
I had bought the gift, but the question remained–how should I give it?
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+ 5 Points
I couldn’t just show up at the birthday party without a word.
Though I’ve done something just as silly before
On Fletcher’s first birthday after he took my hand.
In front of everyone, he subtly hinted for me to leave first.
Not a pleasant memory.
The ping of a WhatsApp notification pulled me out of my thoughts.
I opened it to find an invitation from Winston.
“Are you free tomorrow night?”
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“ujus juj ajes Joto
+6 Points
I wasn’t particularly keen on attending the birthday party, but not showing up would be rude, so I asked, “Who else is coming?”
“Three or four friends. You know them all.”
He didn’t mention anything about the birthday celebration, probably not wanting me to spend any money.
I paused for a moment and replied, “Send me the address.”
Coincidentally, Winston sent me the same location Daphne had invited me to last time -Savory Haven.
To be honest, the chef’s skills weren’t bad.
I found myself vaguely looking forward to it.
The next day arrived quickly.
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+ 5 Points
After finishing my tasks, I started tidying my desk.
Sean
seeing what I was doing, teased,
“Charlene, no need to hurry, Winston won’t dare blow out the candles until you arrive.”
I was about to mention I needed to catch the subway when Davina’s office door suddenly opened. She looked at me curiously and asked, “Charlene, got plans for tonight?”
I nodded in response, only to hear Sean say, “Come on, Charlene, Winston specifically asked me to make sure I get you to Savory Haven safe and sound.”
I never expected this tech nerd to have a teasing side.
The car sped down the road, finally arriving
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to s
+ 5 Points
at the private room at 7:30.
There weren’t many people inside–besides Winston, there was our classmate Adeline Davis and another familiar–looking guy.
They were all around the same age.
As soon as Winston saw Sean and me, he immediately approached, saying, “You must be hungry. I’ll have the waiter bring out the dishes.”
Sean grinned playfully, “Don’t rush, Winston. Charlene came with a gift, it’s been with her the whole way.”
Winston’s eyes widened in surprise, and the joy hidden beneath his gaze was unmistakable. “Really? You shouldn’t have gone to all that trouble.”
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“Winston, could you manage your expressions while you speak?”
Winston shot Sean a glare before turning to me. “Please, take a seat.“”
I handed him the gift. “Winston, happy birthday!“”
Winston was pulling out a wooden chair when he turned toward me at the sound of my voice. His gaze landed on the camera bag in my hands, and the joy on his face cracked slightly.
It seemed like he was a bit unhappy.
The guy beside us suddenly said, “A Leica camera? Looks like you’ve really hit the mark with Winston.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the door to
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the private room inexplicably swung open.
Our eyes all turned toward the door, and Fletcher’s tall figure immediately came into view.
His eyes locked onto the camera bag in Winston’s hands, his pupils slightly trembling.
Then, Davina’s small face peeked out from behind him.
“I knew I heard Charlene’s voice,” Davina said, proudly linking her arm through Fletcher’s. “I was right, wasn’t I?”
Fletcher and Davina’s reserved room was just next door.
It was as coincidental as if it had been planned.
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+ 5 Points:
“This must be fate” Winston, ever the good–natured one, said warmly. “Letch, if you don’t mind, care to have a drink with us?”
Fletcher’s voice was calm, “Is that appropriate?”
It was impossible to tell what he was feeling.
Winston joked, “Is Mr. Lynton trying to embarrass me?”
He then gestured for them to sit.
At the main seat.
As soon as Davina sat down, her almond eyes fell on the camera bag on Winston’s chair, and she exclaimed, “Oh, so this camera bag Charlene carefully picked out earlier is actually for Mr. Fleming?”
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- bjes joj jou ejdules
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Winston paused for a moment, his expression faltering. “Carefully picked out?”
Davina, naturally outgoing, replied with a sweet and soft voice, “Yes, Charlene made a special trip to the mall at lunchtime. The sales assistant said she spent quite a long time choosing.”
Winston looked at me after hearing this, his eyes filled with a gentle sparkle.
It made me feel a little embarrassed.
After all, it was a gift in return, and neither too expensive nor too cheap would be suitable. I really did have to be careful in picking it.
But now, with Davina’s exaggeration, it made it seem like I’d gone to great lengths.
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Les joj jou
(+ 5 Points
“This must be fate” Winston, ever the
good–natured one, said warmly. “Letch, if your
don d, care to have a drink with us?”
Fletcher’s voice was calm, “Is that
appropriate?”
It was impossible to tell what he was feeling.
Winston joked, “Is Mr. Lynton trying to embarrass me?”
He then gestured for them to sit.
At the main seat.
As soon as Davina sat down, her almond eyes fell on the camera bag on Winston’s chair, and she exclaimed, “Oh, so this camera bag Charlene carefully picked out earlier is actually for Mr. Fleming?”
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Les do you endures
+5 Points
I felt a little uncomfortable and silently hoped we could finish the meal soon and wrap things up.
Just then, Sean’s voice interrupted my thoughts, “Charlene, your seat is over there.”
He pointed to the spot next to Winston’s, his tone quite sincere.
He was Winston’s classmate from middle school and didn’t know about the past between Fletcher and me.
As soon as he said that, the gaze of everyone in the room seemed to converge on me, as though they had all silently agreed.
The private room, which could fit eight, still had two empty seats, but if I insisted on not sitting, it would seem disrespectful to
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fees for to
+ 5 Points
Winston.
I didn’t make a fuss and quietly took my seat.
Vaguely, I felt a pair of eyes glance in my direction, but when I looked up, I saw Fletcher carefully handing over some utensils to Davina.
Those long fingers, usually only seen wrapped around a pen, were now gently taking care of her needs.
The dishes were served, and everyone toasted to the birthday celebrant before starting to drink and chat.
I kept my head down and ate. By the time I was comfortably full, Davina’s soft, sweet voice drifted over from across the table, past the two men seated beside her.
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“Charlene, Mr. Fleming, thanks to both of you, I’m having such a great time tonight. I’d like to toast you both.”
She sto
up, holding her glass of juice, lifting it with a polite and respectful manner. She looked utterly obedient.
But she laid extra emphasis on the words. “you both.”
That small feeling of discomfort that had lingered in my chest all evening suddenly flared, rising to my forehead.
It was about to spill over.
Winston seemed to notice this. He spoke slowly but steadily, “Ms. Bates, you’ve misunderstood. Lena and I are just friends, but I do appreciate your kindness.”
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Winston then raised his glass and drank it all in one go.
Davina, her big eyes wide with surprise, stammered, “Sorry, I just thought you and Charlene were…”
Her words trailed off, but the meaning was clear.
It was Fletcher who had brought her here, so even if she had said something out of line, no one would have made a fuss about it, especially since she was just a young lady.
Who would bother making a fuss over a young lady?
But Fletcher seemed to become
uncomfortable. He picked up his glass, lifted it slightly, and said, “Ms. Grande, I apologize
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e de jou eie
+ 5 Points
on Davina’s behalf.”
His words were polite, but his tone was anything but.
Even the way he held his glass was so nonchalant.
At a moment like this, I had to respond, right?
So I picked up my glass, politely saying, “Mr. Lynton, you’re overthinking it. It’s not a big deal, and besides…”
I paused for a moment, glancing at Winston beside me, and continued, “It’s truly an honor for me to be mentioned in the same breath as such an outstanding young man like Winston.”
