Chapter 19
The next day, Shirley was applying lipstick at her vanity when her phone abruptly rang.
Jesse’s name flashed on the screen. She hesitated for two seconds before answering.
“Mr. Robert?”
“Shirley.”
A light chuckle came through the line, with traffic noises faintly audible in the background.
“Free today? Sent you an address–might interest you.”
Before Shirley could mention the contract, the address notification popped up. She tapped it open: the Art Museum downtown.
Her eyes fixed on the words “Contemporary Architecture Exhibition.” She’d tracked this show for months, but tickets sold out instantly.
Even Barbara had struck out after asking multiple friends.
Shirley couldn’t think of any reason to refuse.
Half an hour later, she stood at the Art Museum entrance, spotting
Jesse leaning against his headlights in the distance.
He wasn’t wearing a suit today, just casual clothes that made him seem more relaxed than during their first meeting.
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“I heard Miss Shirley minored in architecture during college?”
Jesse held the glass door open as soft light fell on his profile inside the exhibition hall.
“The curator of this exhibition happens to be my friend.”
Shirley paused mid–step.
She’d never mentioned her minor to Jesse, let alone her anticipation for
this exhibition.
“Mr. Robert didn’t happen to look into me, did he?” she asked half- jokingly.
“Know yourself and know your enemy, and you still won’t win battle.”
every
“Last time we had dinner, I saw you staring at the entire wall structure of the restaurant.”
This sentence left Shirley completely stunned.
That day, she was indeed attracted by the unique architectural design, but she didn’t expect him to notice.
For the next two hours, the two of them wandered through the exhibition hall with its interplay of light and shadow.
Jesse knew every exhibit like the back of his hand and always offered unique insights.
Ten minutes later, Shirley couldn’t help but say, “Mr. Robert is much more professional than an amateur like me.”
“Call me Jesse.”
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Jesse turned his head to look at her.
“Actually, I’ve always thought that communication outside of work makes it easier to see the true nature of a partner.”
As Shirley gazed at the twisted and intense artwork before her, she suddenly felt that the man in front of her had every reason to be so successful.
The phone buzzed in her bag; it was a text from Barbara.
“How’s the contract coming along?”
Shirley stared at the screen, then glanced at Jesse earnestly explaining the exhibits.
Slowly typed: “Everything’s going smoothly.”
The last rays of the setting sun shone through the glass dome of the Art Museum onto the floor.
Jesse watched Shirley intently looking at the exhibits. Suddenly spoke: “By the way, the contract can be signed now.
Shirley paused, then quickly opened her bag. The contract in the folder was as good as new.
“Jesse indeed keeps his word.”
Jesse took the contract and the pen.
“Miss Shirley, you always carry the contract with you. Such dedication is rare. Considering a job hop? I’ll pay you more than Barbara does.”
Shirley was amused by his metaphor.
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“It’s just a habit of being fully prepared. You flatter me.”
“Then I’m curious.”
Jesse suddenly put down his pen, his gaze locking straight into her
eyes.
“Miss Shirley, someone like you, why did you suddenly leave the country?”
His words instantly froze the air.
Shirley stared at the terms on the contract, the sound of Timothy’s indifferent voice saying “divorce” suddenly flashing through her mind.
She lowered her eyes.
“Life back home was unhappy, so I decided to come out and try my luck.”
“Is this considered running away?”
Jesse’s voice held a hint of teasing, but it softened when it met her dim expression.
Shirley suddenly looked up, finding great wisdom in his words.
As more memories surfaced, so did the unhappiness.
Countless sleepless nights haunted by Timothy–she alone remained trapped in place. Back then, no one told her that walking away was also an option.
“You’re right,” she heard herself say, a tightness in her throat.
Watching Jesse sign his name, Shirley finally relaxed completely.
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That night, Barbara’s scream nearly shattered the phone’s earpiece.
“You’re amazing, Shirley! You actually made the impossible happen with Jesse!”
Shirley leaned against the headboard, gazing at the foreign cityscape beyond the floor–to–ceiling window.
“He’s not that strange at all. In fact, I find him quite intriguing.”
After hanging up, silence swallowed the room.
Shirley tossed and turned, Jesse’s every word echoing in her mind.
She rose and drew the curtains. The city lights shimmered like a river of stars. Perhaps Jesse was right–life shouldn’t be chained to the past.
This time, she would live for herself.
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