Love Began with the First Meeting

Chapter 571 Sometimes Disappointment Could Turn Into Happiness (Part Two)

Brian's offer made Hanson hum again as he started scheming in his mind. The man was determined to regain his freedom. All of a sudden, he thought Brian wasn't too bad, and it wouldn't be such a hardship to work for him after the offer for another chance. Brian's words diminished any feelings of hostility. Hanson was even okay to work for the man. It never occurred to Hanson that his attitude would delay the moment when he could bet against Brian in the future because he was reluctant to follow his commands. Brian treated him with disdain because of this attitude, which Hanson resented. From then on, it just became harder for them to get along.

Molly listened quietly to the exchange between the two men. Her attention was fully drawn to Brian and Hanson while she kept eating everything on her plate, including food Brian gave her. The girl had no idea how much she had consumed until her stomach felt very full. Then it dawned on Molly that she had finished two breakfasts, hers and Brian's. Startled, she raised her head to look at Brian with rosy cheeks and stammered, "Ah, I'm sorry to tell you that..." Brian interrupted her with a smile, "I didn't eat my breakfast?"

There was still a hint of icy in his tone when he added, "I'm glad you liked the food. I get full just watching you eat." Although Brian still looked a bit distant, his tone had softened when addressing Molly unlike when he spoke to Hanson.

She couldn't help but blush at his words. 'What nonsense! He treats me as if I were a child. He might be hungry. Maybe I should order another breakfast for him, ' Molly thought. Biting her lower lip, she offered, "May I order another breakfast for you?"

He flashed her a grin and shook his head at the offer. Turning to Hanson, he said, "Aaron will be throwing a party tonight. You're coming with me!"

"No!" Hanson said without hesitation.

But Brian completely ignored his reply. Instead, he excused himself to go to the bathroom and stood up.

With Brian out of sight, Hanson transformed into an entirely different person. He jumped over the table like a monkey and landed beside Molly. And there was no mistake that he hopped over one table to get to her quickly. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

His action stunned Molly, who looked at the rest of the patrons. She saw most of the guests staring at her and Hanson, and it embarrassed her very much.

Reversing a chair to straddle it, he hung both arms on the back of the seat. Curious, he asked Molly, "What is your relation to Mr. Brian Long?"

Still uncomfortable because of his behavior, she didn't reply. His question disconcerted her, and Molly had no idea how to respond.

"I think you've probably gone to bed with him," he taunted. Nodding slowly, he added, "A man like Mr. Brian Long doesn't go for a girl of your kind." He gave Molly no time to respond. "But it is not right," Hanson said. "As far as I know, that number should've been your birthday that day. Come on, beauty. Don't look at me like that, or you'll make me fall in love with you." The girl blushed at his statement. Molly had nothing to do but listen to Hanson. "We have a way of knowing certain things in our circle, not to mention the past between you and Mr. Brian Long, which is no secret in our circle. What's more, you have a notorious father fond of gambling." He paused for a breath and continued, "Do you know what 00 means?"

Molly shook her head and gave Hanson a blank look. She had no idea what he just asked, so she didn't know what to say.

Hanson found her silence interesting so with a big smile on his face asked another question. "What about 21, do you know what it stands for?"

She shook her head once more, but the seeds of curiosity took root in her heart, and she found herself waiting for his explanation.

"Aha! So you know nothing about it either?" Hanson laughed loudly. He inched closer towards Molly and said with a mysterious smile, "I thought Mr. Brian Long had explained it to you. But can you venture a guess?"

She frowned and asked with a confused look, "What are you trying to say?"

Hanson lowered his head, then shook it as he put on a solemn expression. Vaguely, he said, "There's nothing I want to say. I'm such a boring person and am glad to find something to do to kill time. That's why I'm talking to you now. Nothing more!"

His remarks pissed Molly off. 'What a shameless man he is! What does he mean?' she wondered.

As Molly sat thinking, which Hanson ignored, he beckoned to a waiter to order a glass of juice. The man didn't take his eyes off Molly, and it made her uneasy. He didn't think it was his place to say why Mr. Brian Long didn't explain things to her. Hanson wasn't about to forget that it was her man who fooled him before. Still, he thought whether this woman would one day deceive Mr. Brian Long, and what would happen if she did.

Molly never knew that 00 stood for both the starting point and ending point in roulette, while 21, generally speaking, meant loving you.

Love you only at first sight, but stop loving you since then. Outwardly, Mr. Brian Long was usually composed, but in his head, he held many passionate thoughts.

As soon as Brian returned to their table, he was immediately aware of the strange atmosphere surrounding Molly and Hanson. He glanced at the man and in a cold voice warned, "I hate to be

disturbed during breakfast. You are disturbing me."

"Oh, am I?" Hanson quipped. Playing innocent, he repeated, "Am I?" Hanson settled comfortably and eyed Brian. "Aren't we partners now? Why are you looking at me as an opponent? Come on, man. Be nice to me."

Molly's mouth twisted in disgust. She was stunned and couldn't believe that this shameless man acting like a rascal now was the same guy who was so steady and calm at the gambling table.

Sensing she was at a loss, Hanson quickly threw her off with a statement also meant to unsettle Brian. "Well, don't forget the fact that you ruined my dinner with a gorgeous beauty last night. So, you owe me a meal. Why can't we have breakfast together? Don't be a miser."

Exasperated by Hanson's taunts, Brian's face clouded. His voice seemed to boom but only enough for Hanson to hear. "Get out of here within three seconds, or you will regret it!"

He knew Brian's threat was real, so Hanson was out like a flash. But that wasn't what Molly had in mind. She thought the man was personable enough although a bit flashy, and he wouldn't care about Brian's threat, nor listen to his orders. So it was surprising to see him hastily leaving the restaurant while muttering, "Your treat."

Hanson did manage to look back at Brian with an evil smile as he opened the door of the restaurant before disappearing hastily. And although he was scared off, Hanson was still pleased to learn about the relationship between Brian and Molly, which he found interesting. Obeying Brian would help him solve his problem with Chester. At the same time, he could witness firsthand, a man, who was indifferent outside but passionate inside, chase after a girl. That was a bonus!

While most people were enjoying the sunshine and the sea and every fun adventure available, gloom dominated A City just because of a handful of people.

Spark felt much better today, so he went out of the ward. Accompanied by Manny, he sat at the hospital garden to bathe under the bright sunlight. There was damage to his inner abdomen, the doctor confirmed, caused by severe depression. He also developed pneumonia and other complications after catching a cold and getting a fever after being soaked in the rain. So, his recovery would take some time. He was diagnosed with circumlocution, which in layman's terms means having anxiety attacks. The only way to relieve the condition was to let go of things that were causing him anxiety.