Chapter 22 Enjoy Herself (1/2)
Leena stared at her phone, frozen in place. Miguel's name kept flashing on the screen. Before she could decide whether to answer it or not, her mother came in with a thermos. ”Take this chicken soup to Rena. Didn't you say that she was feeling under the weather? I bought chicken, red dates, and wolfberries, and made this soup by myself,” Mrs. Yang said. ”You can take it back to your apartment and heat it up in your microwave,” she added.
Leena hurriedly rejected the phone call. ”Okay,” she responded curtly. Grabbing the thermos, she left in a rush. Once she made it to the front door, she shook her head and reluctantly turned back. She took the fox doll from her bed.
”Are you planning to take that doll to work?” Mrs. Yang asked, eyebrow raised in suspicion.
Leena didn't answer her question. ”Mom, I'm going to work now. Help Yanni with his homework tonight, will you? Thanks!” Then, without waiting for a response, she rushed out the front door.
Making her way down the sidewalk, she came across a lidless trash can. Scowling at the doll, she tossed it into the bin without another word. Her relationship with Miguel was over. Coincidentally, just as she threw away the doll, her phone began to ring incessantly again. It was Miguel calling. This time, she didn't hesitate to reject the call. Head held high, she walked towards the subway. As she walked, her phone pinged with a message from Miguel-- message of apology. It was futile. An apology wasn't enough to make up for what he did to her. She scoffed at her phone and put it on silent.
She tried her best to focus on work, carefully tucking away her personal life. Being immersed in work meant she didn't need to think about how messy things were outside the hotel. Just then, she saw Carlson approaching her. Suddenly, she felt this indescribable urge to tease the man. How come men were allowed to play with women's hearts? Why were women expected to keep their integrity if men wouldn't? And why in hell did she even keep her virginity? Was it because of Miguel?
Over the years, she had been so busy with work and school that she never had the time to sit down and fall in love like a normal person. She coldly rejected men who had any semblance of interest towards her. She had waited for Miguel all this time, yet their relationship ended up failing. She winced at the thought of him. 'Why did I wait for him?' she asked herself unhappily. 'I should enjoy my youth while I still can!'
Somehow, she'd predicted Carlson would be there tonight, so she'd put on some different make up and wore a flirtatious dress. She was about to store her phone inside a drawer when she noticed another message from Miguel. Yet another apologetic text. He was begging her to talk to him.
She didn't know what else there was to talk about. She had given him a chance to explain, but he chose to shrug her off and chase Alina anyway. Talking about it would be pointless. She didn't want to trouble herself with him anymore, so she didn't reply. She put the phone back into the drawer, locked it, and went to work.
She headed straight into the VIP room. All eyes were on her as she strutted elegantly across the room. Carlson's eyes lit up as soon as he saw her. ”Miss Yang, you look especially stunning!”
Taking a seat next to him, she answered, ”Of course, I prepared myself just for you, Mr. Carlson. After all, it's rare of you to bring so many companions along.” Her eyes swept across the room, and saw that every man inside were wealthy and powerful. She smirked; she was going to get tipped well tonight.
Carlson introduced her to everyone, one at a time. Shaking their hands graciously, she slowly expanded her social network. Everyone chatted amongst themselves heartily. Later on, a young boss slapped Carlson
on the shoulder playfully. ”We all have beautiful women around us. Why didn't you call one for yourself?”
Carlson then wrapped his arm around Leena's waist. ”I already have one right here. Isn't that right, Director Yang?”