104Camila paused while playing with the doll, saying, “We just text each other occasionally, nothing
much”
“Why don’t you meet him this Saturday?”
Camila hesitated and replied, “Mom, I have to work overtime on Saturday, and besides, I don’t really
connect with him… I don’t feel anything.
“He really likes you. You can’t say you feel nothing without meeting him first. Just spend some time
with him; feelings will develop. He’s Mrs. Lyle’s nephew and isn’t a complete stranger, which makes
me feel at ease.”
Camila fell silent for a few seconds.
Claire continued, “Meet him for lunch near your office on Saturday. It won’t interfere with your work.
I’ll talk to Mrs. Lyle.”
Camila sighed deeply, realizing avoidance was futile, and replied, “Let’s make it tomorrow then. No
need to wait until Saturday.”
“That’s my girl. If things work out, I’ll get Mrs. Lyle some gifts,” Claire said with a laugh.
“Alright, Mom, you should get some sleep. You have to open the diner early tomorrow.”
“Okay, you too. Get some good rest. Bye now.”
Camila put down her phone and picked up the doll again.The next day, at noon, Camila brought lunch to Connor. “Mr. Connor, I’ll be stepping out for a bit
during lunch, but I’ll be back before work resumes.”
“Where to?” Connor asked.
“Having lunch with a friend.”
“Alright.”
Camila grabbed her small purse and headed downstairs. She chose a meeting place next to the
office building to save time.
Camila could see the college professor waiting from afar at the entrance of the mall. She took a
deep breath and walked over with a
noveldramasmile.
“Ms. Camila, you look even prettier than in your photos,” the professor said, his eyes lighting up as
he stared intently at her.
“Thank you,” Camila politely responded. “Shall we go?”
The two walked into the mall, and the professor glanced at Camila, saying, “Next time, don’t wear
something so short. Those long legs should only be for me to admire.”
Camila rolled her eyes, almost audibly, and then chuckled. “You don’t like it? There’s a clothing
store right here. Let’s go pick something you like right now.”
Then, she headed into a luxury boutique.
The professor had once mentioned his ex–girlfriend broke up with him because she thought he was
too poor as a teacher, and he despised gold–diggers. Today, Camila was determined to play thatpart!
Inside the luxury boutique, she casually picked up a long dress priced at $780 and smiled. “Do you
like this one?”
“It’s beautiful,” the professor nodded.
“Please wrap it up,” Camila told the sales associate.
The sales associate quickly packaged the dress and, facing the professor standing five meters
away, said, “Sir, please come here to pay.”
The professor looked troubled, his steps slow, clearly reluctant to pay.
“I can buy it myself. You don’t make much as a teacher,” Camila said with a smile, deliberately
provoking him.
The professor forced a smile and replied, “It’s alright if you wear it.”
Camila pursed her lips and smiled.
After paying, the sales associate handed Camila the shopping bag, which she took. They exited the
luxury boutique. The professor tried several times to hold Camila’s hand, but she avoided him each
time.
“Let’s go,” he finally insisted, spreading his hand, gesturing to hold hers.
Camila placed the shopping bag in his hand and said with a smile, “Thank you.”
The professor paused, looking at the shopping bag in his hand, gripping the handle tightly, trying
hard to maintain his smile.They then walked into a diner.