Chapter 23 Janet (2/2)

When Melinda returned to her department, her colleagues came up to greet her. They even put a bunch of flowers on her desk and helped her with the work that had accumulated the whole time she had been sick and taken a break.

This kind of concern made Melinda very happy. Since she had married Jonas, she had not interacted with a lot of people and always felt out of place, but now she actually felt as if she belonged and was actually enjoying herself.

At noon, when she invited her colleagues for lunch, Kent stopped working and went to accompany her. They were joking and making fun of each other and asking Kent who had invited him for lunch. Of course, it was Kent who ended up paying for the bill in the end.

Janet kept following them until noon. Seeing that they were together anytime they had a break, she was certain that they were in a relationship. When she returned home, she showed photos of Melinda to Charles Jiang. Charles Jiang praised Melinda very much and thought she was very pretty and good enough for their son.

”I told you that there must be something happening for our son to leave so early and come back home late in the night,” stated Janet with excitement.

Then she began going through the photos she had taken once again just to confirm that she had seen her son with a woman. She acknowledged that she was really good at photography, marveling at the wonderful pictures she had taken. On second thought, she realized that maybe it was because the girl was so beautiful that no matter how bad her photography skills were, she still looked dazzling.

Kent still picked up Melinda from work in the evening, but he couldn't have dinner with her because his parents were waiting for him at home.

”Kent, I didn't know your parents are here, I'm so sorry I have been taking so much of your time. I even let you pick me up after work. Please go home quickly and entertain them.”

Melinda felt sorry for him. If she had known that his parents were visiting, she would have chosen to take the subway or a taxi back to her apartment.

”It's okay. It's not safe for a girl to go out alone.”

While Kent was still talking, Melinda had already unfastened the seat belt and was ready to get off the car. Just then, Kent's cell phone rang, and the screen showed that it was his mother who was calling.

For some reason, Kent had a bad feeling.

”Mom, I just got off duty. I'll be home soon,” Kent said directly as he gave Melinda an apologetic smile.

Melinda stopped moving around and sat there quietly waiting for him to finish.

”Why did you come back so soon? Had you gone to pick up your girlfriend?”

Janet had planned to ask Kent to bring the girl back home. When she heard that Kent was ready to go home after work, she became anxious.

”Mom, I have told you before, I don't have a girlfriend.”

Massaging his eyebrows, Kent said helplessly. His mother was really stubborn.

”Don't lie to me. I saw that girl today. She is a good girl. Why don't you want to bring her home? What are you thinking about? I'm telling you, I like her very much. Don't let me down,” Janet said.

Kent froze for a second wondering what she was talking about. She said that she saw her and indicated that it was today. ”Mom, have you been following me around?”

”If I had not followed you, I wouldn't have known that you have been hiding such a big secret from me. I'm telling you, if you don't bring that girl back home so that we can meet her, your father and I will live here with you forever.”

”Mom...” Kent was about to say something more, but Janet interrupted him and hung up. Melinda didn't know what to say, so she just sat there innocently waiting for Kent to calm down.

Janet spoke in a low voice, but the space in the car was too small, so Melinda could hear a few things that were said.

”I'm sorry. There seems some misunderstanding between my mother and me,” Kent said sheepishly.

However, he was looking forward to seeing how Melinda would react.

”It doesn't matter. Your mother is very lovely,” Melinda said with a smile.

Hearing that, Kent shook his head in dismay. His mother was the most troublesome person he knew, but thinking of the last threat she had issued, Kent began to worry again.

He looked at Melinda, a little hesitant. He had been afraid to ask for clarity about the state of their relationship for a long time. He was afraid that if he said anything, it would probably affect their friendship, but now he wanted to take advantage of this chance and ask her.

”Melinda, I have a request to make.”

Kent took a deep breath and spoke hesitantly. His words almost used up all of his courage. He could feel his heart beating so fast and wildly that he thought she could hear it from where she was sitting.

”Kent, you can just tell me if something is wrong with your parents. You have helped me so much, how can I not help you when you need it? I will help you as long as I can.”

Melinda had always been grateful to Kent. If she could help him, she would not hesitate to do everything in her power.

”My mother thinks that you are my girlfriend and is insisting that I take you home for introductions,” Kent spoke very fast as if he spoke any slower, his courage would disappear. He was sure that she might have heard his mother's loud threats.

Melinda didn't want to have an ambiguous relationship with Kent and always tried to make it clear so that they were not confused.

”Well, considering how much you have come through for me so many times, I'll just help you this time, only this one time. Okay?” Melinda said with a smile.

She was a highly emotionally intelligent person. Her few words not only saved the two of them from embarrassment, but also explained her position on their relationship.

”Thanks for your understanding.”

The smile Kent gave her was a little bitter, because he was now clear on exactly how she felt about him, but he still covered it up well.

”How about we wait for two days? We both have time over the weekend,” Melinda suggested. Kent nodded in agreement as they got off the car together.

The lights in the corridor where she lived were off. Melinda didn't refuse for him to escort her to her apartment because she was afraid of the dark.

”I'm home. Thank you, Kent.” She then entered the room and Kent didn't leave until the door was closed.