Chapter 42: Trying Something
New
Winston arrived at the driving school half an hour later.
He had taken a cab here.
As he came closer, I could clearly see a faint blush spreading across his pale cheeks, mixed with a light scent of alcohol that reached both Adeline’s and my noses.
“I had a sudden event,” he explained softly, then glanced at us with concern, asking, “You haven’t been waiting too long, have you?”
I had already explained the reason for my absence to Winston over the phone, and it was exactly the same as what I told Adeline,
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Chapter 42: Trying Something New
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but Winston seemed quite worried and insisted on coming over in person.
It seemed he had come straight from a drinking event.
“I should be the one feeling sorry,” I said, feeling a little embarrassed. “I must’ve kept you from your gathering.”
Before Winston could respond, Adeline cheerfully cut in, “Charlene, no need to feel sorry. Winston’s our dearest and kindest class leader. He’d be thrilled if you asked him for help every day.”
“Stop it.”
Adeline shrugged. “Oh, my dad called me to go home for dinner. Since Winston is here, why don’t you have him help you practice driving later?”
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Chapter 42 Trying Something New
5 Points
She said this as she walked off, disappearing from our sight in a flash.
Winston explained, “Adeline’s dad is the top instructor here.”
I instantly understood.
No wonder–normal people wouldn’t have access to such a large driving area.
“Now, tell me about yourself,” Winston redirected the conversation back to me. “Lena, Stack will also be attending tomorrow’s party. His company is eyeing the domestic market, and this time, they’ve sent him along with the company’s head for a field visit. This is a rare opportunity.”
The hope I thought had been extinguished suddenly sparked back to life at Winston’s
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Chapter 42. Trying Something New
45 Points
words.
Seeing that I didn’t respond, Winston asked again, “Haven’t you always admired him? Don’t you want to meet him?”
I was slightly taken aback. “How do you know?”
Winston smiled faintly. “I know more than just that.”
I suddenly found myself at a loss for words, and then I heard Winston speak again, his tone earnest, “Lena, your abilities are well recognized. You should meet Stack. You can’t just give up because he turned you down back then, right?”
“Turned me down?” I was confused.
Winston glanced at me and said, “Sorry, I
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happened to see your application to study abroad with the counselor. To be honest, the software engineering program at Cambridge is highly competitive, and Stack is one of the top engineers in the world. It’s understandable that you didn’t make it.”
Hearing the words “application to study abroad,” my mind suddenly went blank, as though it had exploded, leaving me frozen in place.
I had thought that very few people knew about this matter.
Past memories surged up like a flood, and I couldn’t help but think of that Cambridge University admission letter that I had secretly torn up.
The teacher in charge at the time was Stack.
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I guessed Winston must have thought I had been rejected.
But along with this memory, a lingering sense of sorrow and frustration swept over me from deep within.
I opened my mouth and quietly asked, “Winston, are there still spots available?”
I admitted that I ha been tempted.
Winston’s face lit up with a bright smile. “Of course, Lena. I’m really happy for you that you’ve made this decision.”
He excitedly opened his arms.
His demeanor was noticeably warmer than his usual calm and gentle self.
I guessed he was trying to encourage me,
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so I extended my hand and said, “Winston, thank you!
After chatting a little longer, I suggested I drive him back.
Winston glanced at the identical BMW parked next to him, his eyebrows raising slightly in surprise.
“Company benefit, Ms. Hayes chose it,” I said with an awkward feeling I couldn’t quite explain.
Winston raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at his lips. “Ms. Hayes has good taste.”
Fifteen minutes later, I dropped Winston off at the Crestview Apartments near the university town.
He stood in front of the car and pointed to
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the building in front of him. “Well, you’ve found the place. Feel free to come by sometime.”
“Okay.”
“I mean, Jay and Adeline occasionally come by to eat,” Winston explained patiently, “My cooking’s not bad.”
I glanced at the time and said, “Winston, is it okay if I pick you up here tomorrow at seven?”
Winston looked at me, a bit incredulous, but after a moment, he chuckled lightly. “Sure, we’ll do it your way.”
To be honest, I felt a bit guilty for always asking him for help. Since I just got the new car, I figured being a driver was a simple
thing.
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Chapter 42: Trying something New
5 Points
But Winston’s tone was… odd.
After leaving the Crestview Apartments, I immediately called Kaitlyn.
As soon as the line connected, I heard a woman breathing heavily. “What’s up, Lena?”
I realized I had called at the wrong time, and awkwardly said, “I need a full outfit.”
“What the hell, Kaitlyn’s voice suddenly shot up, “Who are you going with?”
“Professor Fleming” I answered honestly. “I’ll be attending tomorrow’s party too.”
“Nice,” Kaitlyn shouted excitedly. “Leave it to me… Ah…”
A strange moan came through the phone.
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I froze for a second, then, picking up on the situation, quickly hung up.
Could it be that women in their thirties crave more desire?
The next day around noon, Kaitlyn arrived at the office, looking radiant and flushed.
I stared at her and teased, “Did you sleep well last night?”
Kaitlyn shot me a playful glance, raising her voice, “Oh, stop! You should be asking how many times I reached climax last night.”
Oh, she was so blunt.
Kaitlyn rolled her eyes and said, “Lena, you really can’t stay single forever. You know, once women turn thirty, their ovaries start
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aging, and at that point, you should find some fun for yourself–enjoy the beauty of sex. Okay?”
I felt my face turn crimson.
“Stop acting so indifferent. It’s been so long, you really should try something new.”
Uncontrolled images flashed through my mind, and my face felt like it was on fire. Kaitlyn almost led me astray.
I quickly changed the subject, “When do we go to pick out the outfit?”
Kaitlyn tossed her hair and giggled, “Right now.”
She took me to the three–story villa her ex–husband had left her in Riverside Glen.
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walk–in closet, I stood frozen for a moment.
array of dresses in her
I suddenly realized that, although her ex–husband was a scoundrel, he hadn’t treated her unfairly when it came to money.
Kaitlyn rolled her eyes, “Money and looks- well, I had to get one of those, right?”
I mulled over her words for a moment, and then it dawned on me.
Kaitlyn then handed me a cream satin slip dress and explained, “This was pre–ordered for the Bulgari gala two years ago, but I’ve never worn it. With your fair skin, it’ll look stunning on you.”
The dress was simple in design but crafted from the finest fabric. It felt as light as a feather against the skin, a testament to its
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Kaitlyn called in a stylist and makeup artist, and by the time I was ready, I was wearing the white dress, my long hair pulled up, light eye makeup and glossed lips, paired with a ruby necklace and bracelet from the same brand, and nude–colored pointed–toe CL heels.
“Lena, I can already imagine the swarm of men visiting our company after tonight,” Kaitlyn patted my hand. “See you at the gala.”
I drove to the Crestview Apartments to pick up Winston.
In his black suit, Winston still wore his silver–rimmed glasses, which added a certain solemnity but strangely gave him a roguish charm as well.
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“Does it not fit well?” He pushed up his glasses, “Is it too formal?”
I awkwardly looked away and said, “It looks fine.”
For some reason, Kaitlyn’s words about “trying something new” popped into my mind.
I felt a little guilty.
Winston, oblivious to my thoughts, smiled warmly, “Well then, Ms. Grande, shall we head out?”
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