Chapter 23


    “Bye. I''m leaving.”


    Not wanting to be alone with Michael any longer, I opened the door on the front passenger side and


    stepped out. Michael frowned and watched me leave in silence. After I got down from the car, he sped


    off, giving me a scare that had me rooted to the ground.


    I pursed my lips in displeasure. This guy reallycked style, but it didn''t bother me as much as I thought


    it would. After all, from today onwards, there would be nothing between us anymore. Even if we met


    again in the future, we would be strangers to each other.


    After walking a few steps, I called a cab to head to my good friend Natalie''s home. On the way, I


    realized Michael''s coat was still draped over my shoulders. I wanted to return it, but I did not know how


    to contact him.


    Forget it. I''ll give it back to him if I have the chance in the future. Anyway, the CEO of apany that''s


    this big in size should notck a coat.


    When I returned to Natalie''s, she had just arrived home. She took note of how my clothes were a little


    messy, and she also realized I was wearing Michael''s coat. Immediately, she knew something had


    happened and quickly questioned me.


    “Anna, tell me what happened! Did you do what I think you did with him?”


    Natalie''s gaze fell upon the hickey on my neck, and an ambiguous look crossed her eyes.


    Although she was my best friend, I was a rtively conservative person, so I could not help blushing


    when she questioned me.


    “Your imagination is running wild. I didn''t do such a thing.”


    “Your neck is covered with hickeys. No one would believe you didn''t do it. Tell me quickly. Who was it?


    Was it Michael Shaw?


    The part of Natalie, which always wanted gossip, was awakened at that point. I knew she would not let


    it rest if I did not tell her everything.


    I would be nagged relentlessly until I confessed.


    “It really was him. Anna, I was wondering if Michael was really interested in you. And today, you both...”


    Though Natalie did notplete her sentence, being adults, we knew she was referring to the exercise


    Michael and I had performed in the car.


    “Natalie, please do not distort the truth. I was drunk when I did it with Michael the previous time. This


    time, I was simply thanking him for all he has done for me. I made it clear to him that from now on, we


    will go our separate ways.”


    Thinking that I did not owe Michael anything anymore, I felt relieved. From that moment on, I could


    pretend that he did not exist in my life whenever I saw him.


    “Anna, I think Michael is quite eligible. He is the most well-known young adult in the city, and he is a


    wealthy man at such a young age. What''s more important is that he is so handsome,pared toPlease check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    Justin. If you choose him over Justin, you''d be justified.”


    Natalie''s love for gossip was surfacing again, and she gleefully imagined how advantageous it would


    be for me to be with Michael without knowing that there was nothing much going on between us.


    “That''s enough of worrying about me, Natalie. You should take care of yourself. Didn''t you tell me


    you''ve found a boyfriend? We must find some time to meet so I can give you my opinion.”


    Unwilling to talk too much about Michael, I changed the subject.


    “That''s great. I''ve been busy with worktely. Once I''ve handled all the things at work, I''ll let you meet


    him. He''ll be our host.”


    Natalie was a loud and easygoing person, so she naturally agreed without hesitation.


    I was looking forward to seeing what type of man her boyfriend was. What type of man could turn her


    into a gentle littledy on the phone.


    “Great, so we have agreed on this. I''m tired. I''m going to my room to rest.”


    After the lengthy performance in Michael''s car, I felt tired, sore, and ufortable. All I wanted was to


    bathe and wash away all of the man''s scent that still clung to my body.


    After bathing, I returned to my bedroom and slept like a log. Too much had happened; I was totally


    exhausted. Sleep was all I wanted.


    For many consecutive days, I remained in Natalie''s home. Her workload was heavy, and I was jobless,


    so I acted as a temporary housekeeper, cleaning and cooking.


    My dear friend was kind enough to put up with me, and since she was so busy, it was only right for me


    to help around in the house.


    I was cleaning with a vacuum cleaner when my mobile phone rang suddenly. It was an unfamiliar


    phone number, so I frowned suspiciously before I answered the call.


    I thought it was a prank call, but it turned out to be a notice that my application for work was sessful.


    I had been epted by Joyful Sess Advertisements.


    I had not received a call of eptance for such a long time, prompting me to think that I had failed the


    interview. I had nned to wait for two days, and if there was no news, I would apply to another


    company, but I was unexpectedly epted.


    After hanging up the phone, I was still excited and unable to calm down. Alone in the sitting room, I


    screamed out in joy!


    The person on the phone had instructed me to report for work the next day.


    My mood was uplifted after that, and I was enthusiastic about everything I did. In the afternoon, I


    cleaned Natalie''s house inside out. I also washed all the clothes that she had worn over the past few


    days.


    When Natalie returned home, she was surprised to see her home neat and tidy. She looked at me in


    astonishment.


    “Anna, have you won a lottery today? You seem to have found a sudden burst of motivation. You''ve


    cleaned my whole house inside out.”


    Natalie walked around the sitting hall and then stood facing me, her face full of disbelief.


    “Natalie, am I such azy person in your eyes? You''ve provided food and lodging for me, so I''ve


    cleaned your house in return. I can''t justze around, can I? That would be such a shame.”


    I red at her and spoke with feigned anger. However, the truth was she had never onceined


    about me living and eating for free.


    “Tell me what good news you have! Your face tells me you have much to say.”


    Natalie was the one who understood me the most. Even though I had said nothing, she could tell I was


    feeling happy.


    “Natalie, I''ve been epted by Joyful Sess! I am to report for work tomorrow.”


    After telling her about my new job, I still could not contain my excitement. I couldn''t believe I had really


    been selected.


    “Really? Anna, I knew you''d be epted. You have so much natural talent in advertising. Joyful


    Sess has made the right choice.”