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Marina nodded.
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“Yeah, I’ve only been at the Zamora Group for three months. Bu don’t worry, the Zamora Group will make sure to meet every condition you and Karissa ask for,” she said.
Karissa nodded gently.
“I know the Zamora Group. It’s got quite a reputation,” she said.
Marina pressed her lips together.
Karissa said softly, “It must be hard for you. Falling for someone out of the ordinary means it’s never easy. You end up spending your whole life chasing after him.”
Marina forced a faint smile. “I guess I’m just not that brave. I don’t have your kind of courage or strength, so I gave up early
on.”
Karissa was silent for a long time. Seeing the sadness in Marina’s eyes, she was at a loss for words.
But it was obvious the girl in front of her didn’t really need comforting.
Soon, Karissa’s smile returned. She reached out and took the fruit and vegetable baskets from Marina, ready to help her carry them inside.
Seeing this, Karissa didn’t say anything to stop her and let Marina come in.
Apollo had been waiting for Karissa to return home. Just as he was about to head out and look for her, he saw her coming in with a young woman. He hurried over, worry etched on his face,
“What happened? Did you take a spill?” he asked.
He knew his wife well. She wasn’t one to let people get close easily, unless something was wrong.
Karissa brushed his hand aside.
“Why do you always think the worst?” she said.
“Marina here works at the Zamora Group,” she added.
Apollo quickly turned to his wife.
“Just for the record, I never said I was taking a job at the Zamora Group, and I definitely didn’t send her here to convince you of anything,” he said.
Karissa gave a little snort, her face full of pride.
“I’m the one taking the job at the Zamora Group. You’re just tagging along,” she said.
Apollo’s eyes lit up with surprise and delight.
Karissa looked away, then took Marina’s hand and led her into the living room, insisting she stay for dinner.
Marina tried to turn her down a couple of times, but when she saw Karissa looking disappointed, she couldn’t say no in the end and agreed.
Both of their kids were off building their lives overseas, and Karissa was never one for having guests over, so it had been a
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long time since any young folks joined them for dinner at home
Karissa was busy cooking in the kitchen, and Apollo was just there, pitching in wherever he could.
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Marina sat on the couch in the living room, noticing how the coffee table and bookshelf were filled with books on science and research.
Several of them were lying open on the table, making it obvious that Apollo still read through them every day, even after retiring.
She turned to look at the two figures busy in the kitchen, and suddenly, she understood. Karissa didn’t want Apollo going back to work.
She just wanted them to live like a normal husband and wife.
Maybe she only agreed because she couldn’t stand seeing Apollo moping around the house all day.
She must’ve been ready to make sacrifices from the start, which is why she kept working odd jobs at the market instead of quitting.
People might envy the love they share now, but no one else could ever truly understand the pain Karissa went through all those years.
After dinner at the Skinner family, Marina got ready to leave.
Karissa saw her out.
Even after Marina got in her car, Karissa stood next to her car.
She hesitated for a while before finally speaking.
“My husband still has some influence at the Zamora Group. How about I ask him to put in a word for you, help you get a permanent position there?” she offered.
After saying that, Karissa quickly added, “It’s not like we go around helping everyone. It’s just that we see how hard you work and how much you cherish your job.”
Marina gave her a grateful look, thanked Karissa for her kindness, but politely declined.
“I’m only at the Zamora Group for three months. After that, I’m heading home to help my sister,” she explained.
Karissa looked confused. “Isn’t the person you like working at the Zamora Group? He must be in management or something, right? Wouldn’t working there let you be closer to him?”
Marina gave a small, polite smile and steered the conversation away. “Even if I’m not at the Zamora Group, I’ll still come visit you and Apollo. Just promise you won’t get sick of seeing me.”
Karissa waved her hand gently.
“It’s rare to meet someone I really click with. Why would I ever get sick of you? You’re always welcome here,” she said.
After leaving the Skinner family, Marina checked the time. She had no idea if Daron had already left the banquet hall.
She hesitated for a moment, but in the end, she pulled out her phone and called him.
Daron had just stepped out of the banquet hall when his phone rang. Seeing it was Marina, he answered and put it to his ear.
“What’s up?” he asked.
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As soon as Marina heard Daron’s voice, she filled him in. “Mr. Zamora, I just went to the Skinner family to meet Karissa.”
Daron stopped walking, his voice calm but with a hint of concern. “You didn’t go home to rest?”
Marina shook her head, replying, “No.”
She continued, “Karissa and I agreed she’ll come to the office at ten tomorrow morning.”
Marina added, “She said if Apollo joins the Zamora Group, she wants a position where she can be around him at work.”
A glimmer flickered in Daron’s eyes as he strode down the steps. His driver stepped forward and opened the car door for him.
But Daron didn’t get in. He waved the driver away, his voice cool and even as he spoke, “You just left the Skinner family?” Marina answered, “Yeah, I just did.”
Daron said, “I’m still at the banquet hall. Swing by and pick me up. Whatever it is, let’s talk face to face.”
Marina blinked, caught off guard. “Isn’t your driver picking you up?”
Daron just said, “Isn’t that you now?”
Marina bit her lip. She’d figured since Daron told her to leave work early, he’d have someone else pick him up, or maybe he’d just catch a ride with Joyce.
“I’ll be there right away,” she said.
Daron replied, “Okay.”
With just that single word, he hung up.
The driver picked up on the situation from Daron’s call, quickly closed the car door, and said respectfully, “I’ll take my leave now, Mr. Zamora.”
Daron nodded, standing off to the side, waiting for Marina to come pick him up.
Joyce had been searching the banquet hall for Daron, but couldn’t find him anywhere. After asking around, she finally learned he’d already left.
She hurried outside and spotted Daron standing at the bottom of the steps, waiting for a ride. She walked over with a smile.
“Daron, your driver still hasn’t come?” she asked.
Daron replied coolly, “She’s on her way.”
Joyce could tell from his tone right away that Marina was the one coming to pick him up.
“Ms. Finley is really dropping the ball. How could she leave you standing out here like this?” Joyce said.
“Come on, let me give you a ride. My car’s right here,” she offered.
Just as Joyce finished speaking, her family’s car pulled up in front of them.
The driver got out and opened the door for them.
Joyce held out her hand to Daron, motioning for him to get in.
But Daron didn’t even look her way. His voice was low and cool.
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“I’m willing to wait. Got a problem with that?” he said.
09:29 Mon, Feb 9
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
