My One-month Marriage With Mr. Hawkins

Chapter 30: Chance Is Always for One of Us

After a moment of hesitation, Florence forced out a smile and gave a standard reply. “As one of the employees of the company, I certainly care about your health at all times like anybody else.

The standing crowd all stared at her with mixed expressions. Although they had no idea of what her purpose was, it was obvious she would fail to deliver her food to him. Ernest did not even glimpse at the delicacies made by famous chefs which were delivered by his assistant Timothy, not to mention the regular food Florence bought from the canteen.

Ernest looked straight at Florence and did not seem to be satisfied of her answer, but it had lightened his mood. He closed the folder in his hand and said to the crowd before him, “You can leave now.” Everyone was dumbfounded and in disbelief. The president actually released them like that? And he really wanted to eat the food bought by Florence? Although they were filled with shock and confusion, they did not dare to stay any longer and they left the horrifying office at the greatest speed possible.

Florence was astute enough that she quickly carried the lunchbox and walked to the dining table, opened the lunchbox and put it nicely on top. She also pulled the chair out. “Please have a seat, sir.” Ernest’s look towards Florence was full of an urge to inquire, but he still strode there and sat down. Florence stood at the side and looked at him full of hope. “These are all my favorite dishes and they taste good. Do have a try to see if they match your taste.”

Ernest stared at the dishes in the lunchbox with a thoughtful look. Her favorites? He then took the chopsticks to pick the food. Although what lay before him was just some ordinary meal, he still appeared as if he was having a high class meal elegantly with his noble temperament. Timothy stood beside him like an immobilized tree and the shock seen on his face could not be hidden. Ernest used to be picky in eating and he would not eat anything that was not from the top chefs he requested. When had he ever eaten such an inferior meal that was cooked by ordinary people?

Florence was slightly nervous when she saw Ernest eating every dish in the lunchbox. She then asked, “How is it?”

“Not bad.” Ernest commented generously. He also noticed the appearance of Florence’s smile at the same time.

Timothy felt lashed out when he heard his words. The top special chefs in the country had never received a positive comment from Ernest, even once. Could it be it was not the food, but the person giving the food? Timothy glanced at the delicacies on the food cart with his heart ached. He walked towards it silently, covered it with a white cloth and pushed it out.

As Ernest was having his meal, Florence resembled a waitress by standing beside him. She quickly poured a glass of water and handed it to him when he finished his meal. “Have some water, sir.” An indiscernible smile flashed across Ernest’s face when he saw her being obliging. He took the water glass and spoke blandly, “What do you want? Spill the bean.”

Florence felt slightly embarrassed. As expected, Ernest was sharp-witted enough to tell she had something in mind. Without hesitating anymore, she took over the documents she had prepared earlier and handed them to him. “These are all my past year work. I didn’t have a chance to publish them, but I believe my design skill is still good.” She paused and braced herself to continue, “Therefore, I hope you can give me a chance to let me participate in the Ovi Fashion Design Contest this time.”

Ernest was not surprised, as if he had already known her purpose. He took over her documents and browsed them while flipping them with amazement in his eyes. The designs were clearly drawn in a casual way by her back then and they were not in a proper format, but the strong spirit from the drawings was hard to be concealed. There were even several artworks that could be sold as best- sellers. She was a genius in designing and she only needed a chance to amaze everyone.

Florence clenched her fists anxiously and looked at Ernest with uneasiness. She wanted to discern something out from his expression but he was expressionless as usual and looked unpredictable. Seeing him not speaking a word at length, she hesitated and asked cautiously, “Is it okay? Sir.” Ernest closed the folder and looked at her with an uncanny look. “You want to pull the string?”

Florence choked. Even if it was true, she hoped he would not say it that straightforwardly. After a moment of hesitation, she finally decided to abandon her principles. “Please give me a chance, by seeing our relationship. I’ll definitely get the best result and make our company proud.”

“What kind of relationship do we have?” Ernest gazed at her with a profound look.

What relationship? She pondered and realized she did not actually have any real relationship with him that could help her pull the string. She hesitated and decided to flatter him. “We’ve known each other for so long, so I guess we’re considered friends?”

Ernest was obviously not satisfied. “I’m not interested to become your friend.”

Florence went speechless. He was hard to be flattered as expected. She was so despondent that she decided to give all out. “Then maybe seeing me as your fiancée? Please give me a chance.” It was the first time she took the initiative to admit the identity. A light smile broke upon Ernest’s lips and he spoke, “Sure.”

Florence was startled and she could not believe her ears. Had he actually agreed? Ernest seemed to have a fine mood looking at her dumbfounded look. “We always need to save chance for those one of us, right? My fiancée.” The words he said seemed to have another hidden meaning. Those belonged to one of us? Florence’s heart inevitably leapt. She bit her lip and said, “Thank you.”

“Just like that?”

Having realized her not being sincere enough, she added, “I’ll treat you a meal.” There she went again. She had also mentioned wanting to treat him meal when he saved her from the toilet during midnight last time.

Ernest spoke with doubt, “You still owe me once.”

Florence’s face flushed due to uneasiness and she promised seriously. “I’ll definitely treat you this time. When are you free?”

“Tonight.”

Florence was startled due to the great coincidence.

After finishing work, she walked out of the office with him and went to the underground car park through the lift special for president. Before even reaching the car, they saw Harold wearing a formal suit and was sitting on the Lamborghini car hood casually. He was slightly surprised when he saw both of them together and he then let out a cunning smile. “Turns out you two have been together. That’s nice, we can go out together.” © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Feeling baffled, Florence turned to Ernest and asked, “You’ve got plan?”

“No,” Ernest replied with an expressionless face and seeing through Harold, he walked straight to the car door. “Just ignore him.” Harold panicked when he heard that and he immediately blocked his way. “Ernest, you have to help me, you have to go to the banquet tonight no matter how.”

“I’m busy.” Ernest rejected coldly.

Harold felt his head ached as nothing would change Ernest’s mind whenever he made a decision. Yet he would be doomed if Ernest did not attend tonight. He hesitated and with his eyes falling onto Florence with strong desire, he immediately walked towards her.