Chapter 23 He Was Affected by Her Emotions
Elizabeth glanced up at the starry night sky, feeling the cool dampness on her face. She didn’t even realize when she started crying, but tears were streaming down her cheeks. Maybe she had been on the verge of a breakdown for a long time, and it wasn’t until tonight’s series of phone calls that she finally let it out.
Michael had shown up at his mansion a while ago. He was chilling in the back seat of the car, window rolled down, just staring outside. He didn’t bother getting out or making a sound, and the driver just waited inside.
The lights in the mansion’s living room were dim, casting a faint glow. In that dim light, the figure by the window looked so thin, weak, and helpless. Her face, tilted slightly upwards, was glistening with tears. Was she crying? What had made her so sad? Was she thinking about her dad or just bummed out about her life being controlled by others?
Michael sat in the car, quietly watching Elizabeth. He didn’t even notice how her sadness was rubbing off on him, making him feel lonely and down, too.
The next morning, Elizabeth got up and headed to the dining room for breakfast like nothing had happened. She knew she’d run into Michael no matter what time she got up, so she gave up trying, she sat down at the table, and Susan set up breakfast for her. Feeling pretty down, Elizabeth had barely eaten last night, so she was starving and ate a lot for breakfast.
“Mrs. Thomas, you have a good appetite today,” Susan smiled.
“As long as certain man isn’t around, I always have a good appetite, Elizabeth replied, digging in.
What she didn’t know was that Michael had left early that morning. He couldn’t stop thinking about her sad face from the night before. Figuring his presence might mess with her appetite, he skipped breakfast at home and asked Susan to pack it for him before
he left.
Elizabeth sipped her milk and told Susan, “Susan, I’m going to school today. You don’t need to prepare lunch and dinner for me.”
Susan nodded, “Okay, Mrs. Thomas.”
A cab dropped Elizabeth off at the school gate and took off. Elizabeth called her best friend, Sarah Martinez, “Sarah, I’m back at
school.”
Sarah was super excited on the other end, “Elizabeth! You’re finally back! I thought you vanished. We agreed to take the master’s entrance exam together. The exam’s coming up soon. Haven’t you started studying yet? Where have you been all this time? You
didn’t even text me.”
Sarah bombarded Elizabeth with questions over the phone.
Elizabeth chuckled, “Sarah, let’s talk when we meet. I’ll wait for you at the entrance of Building 1.”
After hanging up, Elizabeth walked to the flower bed at the entrance of Building 1 and sat on a bench, waiting for Sarah.
In a few minutes, Sarah came running over, “Elizabeth! Do you know If you hadn’t shown up, I was about to call the cops to find you! Tell me, where have you been all this time? Don’t tell me you got married.”
Sarah plopped down next to Elizabeth, placing her right hand on Elizabeth’s shoulder.
Elizabeth involuntarily lowered her head, “I’m sorry, Sarah. I can’t keep my promise. After graduation, I have to leave school. I can’t take the exam with you.”
Sarah patted her shoulder. “It’s not a big deal. You said you’d marry the person you love right after graduation! You love him so much. How could you even think about studying? By the way, you’ve been hiding your boyfriend for over three years, right? We’re about to graduate, and I still don’t know who he is.”
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Chapter 23 He Was Affected by Her Emotions
Elizabeth was stunned. Her relationship with Anthony had ended no long ago, but it felt like ages had passed. She said faintly, “Sarah, don’t mention him to me anymore. We’ve broken up. I’ve been through some stuff recently that made me see him for what he is. He’s a complete scumbag. I was foolish to think he could bring me happiness.”
Sarah hugged Elizabeth and patted her back while comforting her, “izabeth, it’s no big deal. We’re still young, and we should look forward. There are still plenty of good guys out there.”
Elizabeth leaned her head on Sarah’s shoulder, saying in determination, “From now on, I won’t focus on a man. I want to live my own life well.”
Sarah applauded her, “Elizabeth, you finally figured it out. I tried to persuade you so many times before, but you wouldn’t listen. People can’t learn from others‘ experiences, but they learn quickly from their own. You’re finally not putting love above all else.”
Elizabeth laughed akwardly, “It’s okay to be foolish for a while, but not for a lifetime.”
As they were talking, Elizabeth’s phone rang. It was Susan calling. Elizabeth–answered.
Susan’s anxious voice came through, “Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Thomas wants you to come back now.”
Elizabeth was puzzled, “But I’m still at school. What’s the hurry?”
“Mr. Thomas didn’t say, and I don’t know either.” Susan added in a low voice, “Mr. Thomas seems very angry.”
Elizabeth held the phone, searching her mind for today’s events. She didn’t seem to have had the chance to upset Michael. After all, she hadn’t seen him all day. But Elizabeth didn’t dare to delay and quickly said goodbye to Sarah. She hurried to the school gate, hailed a cab, and rushed back.
After the car stopped, Elizabeth got out. She walked through the garden corridor towards the living room, feeling very anxious. She was unsure what she had done to upset Michael again. After all, he was easily angered.
Elizabeth carefully pushed open the door and entered the living room. She quietly changed her shoes. As soon as she straightened up, she was startled. She clutched her pounding chest.
In the large living room, there was no one but Michael and her. Michael was seated on the couch, his upper body resting lightly against the back. His right hand lay on the armrest, his fingers tapping a steady beat. He looked noble and elegant, yet exuded an intimidating aura. The buttons near the collar of his shirt were undone, revealing his lean collarbone. Even sitting down, he showed no sign of a belly. His waist was slim and fit. His fingers tapped on the leather surface of the couch. It was like a small hammer gently tapping on Elizabeth’s heart. Her nerves were on the verge of breaking.
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