Chapter 24
Jolene ran over first and hugged Matilda’s legs.
:
Matilda looked down at her, and the disappointment she had been feeling turned into joy.
Jolene was always so affectionate whenever she saw Matilda.
(95)
E55 vouchers
Oddly enough, even though Matilda had never been fond of kids, she wasn’t turned off by it. Instead, she felt an odd urge to take Jolene home with her.
Allen studied Matilda for a couple of seconds before asking casually, “So you’ve already moved in, huh?”
Matilda looked at him, her expression nowhere near as warm as when she spoke to Jolene. “You live here, Dr. Saunders?”
“Yes. That’s why I recommended this place to you–I know it well because I live here,” Allen replied smoothly.
At first, Matilda thought he was leading her around by the nose, but after hearing that, she thought it made
sense.
Jolene quickly picked up on the key point in their conversation and looked up at Matilda. “Are you going to live here?”
Matilda stroked Jolene’s head, her voice softening without her realizing it. “Yes, I’m in Building 3.”
“What a coincidence! My home’s on the top floor of Building 3. What floor are you on?” Jolene asked.
Matilda answered in surprise, “Second–to–last floor.”
She lived right below Allen. That really was a coincidence. Matilda glanced at him again.
Allen explained calmly, “I’m renting too. Your apartment was introduced by the agent, not me. I only suggested you move into this community.”
With that, he cleared himself completely.
Matilda remembered what the agent had told her. “Only Building 3 in Maple Heights is for rent, and it’s hard to rent out. Right now, only the top floor has tenants. No wonder–it’s too expensive. A year’s rent could buy a small apartment outside the fifth ring.”
“Matilda, you’re right under my house! Can I come find you in the future?” Jolene asked eagerly.
Thinking about the food at home and the gifts she had prepared for Allen and Jolene, Matilda said, “You can come right now.”
Jolene cheered, jumped, and ran ahead happily.
Matilda and Allen walked behind her, their steps falling in sync.
9:18 Mon, Oct 13
Chapter 24
…
94
55 vouchers
“Only Jolene and I have been living in Building 3. It’s been pretty lonely. With you here, it’ll feel a lot better,” Allen said.
Matilda replied politely, “I can live here because my money came easily, Dr. Saunders. You’re different.”
Allen smiled. “Not really. My money isn’t earned by me either.”
Matilda was surprised. “Don’t you always turn down bribes?”
Allen coughed lightly. “I spend my parents‘ money.”
Matilda prided herself on being quick with words, but this time she had no comeback.
She said dryly, “Dr. Saunders, you’re really an honest man.”
She had already turned off the facial recognition on her smart door lock, only keeping the fingerprint and password system.
She invited Allen and Jolene in, but they stood awkwardly at the door for a while.
Matilda quickly caught on. “I don’t have extra slippers at home. Just come in as you are. You haven’t eaten yet, right? How about barbecue on me?”
As she spoke, she opened the package of groceries that property management had delivered and froze.
The beef and lamb were fresh but uncut, and the vegetables were all whole. What a pain.
Allen watched her stare at the produce like it was a riddle she couldn’t solve. The sight was surprisingly cute.
With a faint smile, he said, “Next time we’d better tell the restaurant to wash, cut, and marinate everything in
advance.”
Matilda nodded obediently. “Then this time, how about we just go out?”
She had to admit–she was a total kitchen disaster. She couldn’t even chop vegetables.
The only reason she knew how to bake rose petal cookies was because she lost a bet to her dad and had to learn as punishment.
“Let’s eat here,” Allen said, rolling up his sleeves. “I’ll cook. You peel the potatoes.”
The fact that things had come to this was unbelievable. She and Allen had barely known each other, and yet here he was, rolling up his sleeves and moving around her kitchen like he belonged there.
Matilda dragged a bag of potatoes to the sink. Unsure how many to peel for three people, she asked humbly, “Is this enough?”
Allen glanced over. “Too many.”
She put some back, but Allen said too few.
9:18 Mon, Oct 13
Chapter 24
…
94
55 vouchers
She adjusted again. Finally, Allen approved.
She chopped them into chunks and dropped them into a pot with water. Allen said there wasn’t enough water. She added more. He said now it was too much.
When she poured again, her hand slipped, and potato chunks spilled into the sink along with the water.
Allen gave up with a helpless little laugh. “Okay, go watch TV with Jolene.”
Matilda happily agreed and fled the kitchen.
She could handle all those dense transistors with ease, but not a pot of potatoes. Cooking really was impossible. Next time she hired a housekeeper, she’d have to offer a bonus.
At dinner, Matilda wanted to drink the red wine she had set out to breathe.
Allen warned, “Better not. What if you get drunk and-”
“And what?” Matilda caught the faint red on his face.
The steam from the food had fogged his glasses, hiding the look in his eyes. After a pause, Allen muttered it was nothing and lowered his head to eat.
Matilda only drank one glass and stayed clear–headed.
After dinner, Jolene stuck to Matilda, chatting away, while Allen volunteered to do the dishes.
Matilda handed Jolene the camera, and the girl hugged and kissed her nonstop. “Matilda, you’re so nice. Being your kid would be the happiest thing ever.”
Matilda thought of Lola and felt a pang of sadness. She stroked Jolene’s little face and said softly, “Not every child is as grateful as you, Jolene.”
Allen came out of the kitchen after washing his hands.
“Daddy, look! The camera Matilda gave me!” Jolene showed off proudly.
Matilda expected Allen to politely decline, but instead he said, “That’s a wonderful gift, Jolene. You can open it now–start with the manual first.”
“Okay.” Jolene sat on the carpet, fiddling with the camera.
She liked the floor better than the couch. Watching her, Matilda noticed she had the same habit.
Allen sat across from her and said, “I can tell Jolene really loves it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. You’ve got one too,” Matilda said with a smile.
Allen looked surprised, then broke into a grin. “I have one too? Really?”
9:19 Mon, Oct 13
Chapter 25
Chapter 25
