Chapter 19 Chapter Nineteen

Julia Stanford was happy to share a room with Sally.She was always so lively, happy and lovable.Her marriage was unhappy, and she had sworn never to have anything to do with a man again.Julia wasn't sure how to interpret Sally's "never" because she seemed to be dating a different man every week. "Married men are the best," Sally said philosophically. "They feel guilty, so they keep buying you presents. With a single guy, you can't help but ask yourself — why is he still a bachelor?" She said to Julia, "You don't have a boyfriend, do you?"

"Yes." Julia thought of the men who wanted to ask her out. "I don't want to just hang out with a guy, Sally. I want to be with someone I'm really interested in." "Okay, I'll find you one!" said Sally. "You're going to love him! His name is Toni Vinardi. I've told him about you and he'd love to meet you." "I really don't want to..." "He will pick you up at eight o'clock tomorrow night". ※※※ Tony Vinardi was tall, tall, and attractive, but plain.His hair is thick and black.He smiled at Julia, who suddenly felt less reserved.

"Sally is not exaggerating. You are charming." "Thank you," said Julia.She felt a little exhilarated. "Have you ever been to the Houston Hotel?" This is one of the best restaurants in Kansas City. "No." The truth is that she doesn't have the money to eat in such a restaurant, even with the salary she just increased. "Well, I've already reserved a seat there." During the meal Tony talked almost entirely about himself, but Julia didn't care.He's funny and engaging.Sally had said he was striking and likable.He does. The dishes are very tasty.Julia had a chocolate soufflé and Tony had an ice cream cake.Will he invite me to his room, Julia thought, as they sipped their coffee leisurely?If he invites me, shall I go?No!I can't do that.You can't do that on a first date, he'll think I'm low-class and sleazy.next time we come out...

The bill came and Tony looked it over and said, "It looks right." He ticked off every item on the bill. "You asked for pie and lobster..." "yes." "You also had scrambled eggs and salad, and chocolate soufflé, didn't you?" She looked at him, baffled. "right……" "Good!" he added quickly. "Your portion of the bill is fifty dollars and forty cents." Julia sat there, stunned. "I'm sorry, please say it again." Tony grinned and said, "I know you women are independent these days. You ain't gonna let your buddies pay the bills for you, are you? Come on," he said indulgently. "Your tip will be paid by me."

※※※ "Sorry, it didn't work out this time," Sally said apologetically. "He's a real gem. Are you going to see him again?" "I can't afford him," Julia said disapprovingly. "Okay! Let me introduce another one, you will fall in love with..." "No. Sally, I really don't want to..." "Believe me." ※※※ Though Ted Riddle was nearly forty, Julia had to admit he was an attractive man.He took her to Jenny's restaurant on the historic Strawberry Hill, famous for its authentic Croatian cuisine. "Sally did me a great favor," Riddle said. "you are very cute."

"thanks." "Did Sally tell you I have an advertising agency?" "No, she didn't." "Oh, yes. I have a big company in Kansas City and everybody knows me." "That's enviable. I..." "We deal with some of the biggest merchants in the country." "Really? I'm not..." "Oh, yes. We deal with celebrities, banks, big houses, chain stores..." "Then, I..." "...There are also supermarkets. You just need to report your name, and we can act as agents." "That is……" "Let me tell you how I got started..."

He never stops talking throughout, and the only subject is Ted Riddle. ※※※ "He might be too nervous," Sally explained. "Then I can tell you that he made me nervous. If you want to know anything about Ted's life since he was born, just ask me!" "Jerry McKinley." "What?" Julia asked. "Jerry McKinley. I just remembered. He used to date one of my girlfriends. She was totally crazy about him." "Thank you, Sally, but I can't." "I'll call him." The next night, Jerry McKinley came.He was handsome, kind, and personable.He came in, looked at Julia and said, "First dates are always awkward. I'm pretty shy myself. So I know how you feel, Julia."

She fell in love with him immediately. They went to Sijiqing Chinese Restaurant on State Street for dinner. "You work for an architecture firm, it must be exciting. I don't think people realize how important architects are." He was sensitive, and Julia was happy."I agree with you," she said with a smile. The atmosphere that night was lively and enjoyable.The more they talked, the more Julia liked him.She decided to be bolder. "Would you like to go back to the apartment for a drink?" she asked. "No. Let's go back to my place!" "Where is your place?"

He leaned forward and held her hand tightly. "I am the whip and chain keeper." ※※※ Henry Wilson opened an accounting firm in the same building as Peters, Eastman, and Tolkien.Julia always bumped into him in the elevator on her way to work in the morning.He seemed very likeable, a mild-mannered man in his thirties, with light brown hair and black-rimmed glasses. The familiar face at first just nodded politely, then he always said "good morning" when he saw her, and then changed his greeting to "you look good today".One morning a few months later, he said suddenly to Julia, "I wonder if you'd be honored to have dinner with me one evening?" He looked at her eagerly, waiting for her answer.

Julia smiled. "Row." ※※※ For Henry, it was love at first sight.On their first date, he took Julia to the Ibidi Hotel, a luxury hotel in Kansas City.Obviously, he was very excited to ask her out. "Did old Henry propose to you again?" Julia hesitated.In fact, every time they were together, Henry asked to marry him. She seemed to be tempted, but couldn't bear to say "I do". "Don't miss your chance," Sally reminded her. Maybe Sally was right, Julia thought.Henry Wilson would make a good husband.He is... She hesitated again.He's serious, he's clear-headed, he's faithful, he's decent... but is that enough?

Just as Julia was about to go out, Sally stopped her. "Can I borrow your black leather shoes?" "Of course." With that said, Julia left. Sally went into Julia's bedroom and opened the closet door.Those shoes are on the top shelf.When she reached for it, an unsteady cardboard box fell, spilling its contents all over the floor. "Damn it!" Sally bent down and picked up the scraps of paper on the floor. They were all clippings, photos, and reports about Harry Stanford's family.There seem to be hundreds of them. Julia hurried back to her room, saying, "I forgot mine..." She stopped when she saw the scraps of paper on the floor. "what are you doing?" "Sorry," Sally said apologetically. "The box fell." Julia, blushing, bent down, and began to put the scraps of paper back into the box. "I didn't know you were so interested in those rich people," Sally said. Julia said nothing, but frantically stuffed the papers into the box.As she picks up a bundle of photos, she suddenly discovers a gold locket in the shape of a heart that her mother gave her before she died.Julia put the locket aside. Sally eyed her suspiciously. "Julia?" "Ok." "Why are you so interested in Harry Stanford?" "No! I...these belong to my mother." Sally shrugged. "Okay." She picked up a newspaper clipping.It was cut from a scandalous magazine.A news headline jumped into her eyes: the corporate tycoon moved on, the governess became pregnant—an extramarital relationship gave birth to an illegitimate daughter—both mother and baby disappeared! Sally stared at Julia with her mouth open. "My God! You're Harry Stanford's daughter!" Julia remained silent.She shook her head and continued to pack the papers. "are you?" Julia stopped. "If you don't mind, I'd rather not talk about it, okay?" Sally jumped to her feet. "You'd rather not talk about it? Are you out of your mind that you're the daughter of the richest man in the world and you don't want to talk about it?" "Sally..." "Do you know how much property he owns? Billions." "It's none of my business." "If you're his daughter, it's all about you. You're the heir! You just have to tell the family who you are,..." "No." "why no?" "You don't understand." Julia got up and lay down on the bed. "Harry Stanford was a disgusting man. He abandoned my mother. My mother hated him and I hated him." "You don't hate everybody who has that much money. You know them." Julia shook her head. "I don't want to know anything." "Julia...heirs don't live in dingy flats, buy clothes in cheap sleazy stores, borrow money to pay rent. Your family would never want you to live like that. They will feel ashamed." "They didn't even know I was alive." "Then you tell them." "Sally..." "how?" "Stop talking." Sally looked at her for a long time. "Of course. By the way, can't you loan me a hundred or two million dollars before I get paid?" ※※※ Henry told her something about himself. "I was born in the upper-class old town here in Kansas City. My father was born here. The acorns are never too far from the oak trees. You know what I mean?" Julia understood what he meant. "I wanted to be an accountant from a young age. After school, I worked for Bagelham and Benson Financial. Now I have my own company." "That's nice," Julia said. "That's all for me. Tell me about you." Julia was silent for a while.I am the illegitimate daughter of one of the richest men in the world.You may have heard of him.He drowned not long ago.I am the heir to his estate.She looked around the elegant surroundings.I could buy this hotel if I wanted to.I might be able to buy the city if I wanted to. Henry stared at her intently. "Julia?" "Oh! Yes... sorry. I was born in Milwaukee. My... my father died when I was little. My mother took me all over the country. After she died, I decided to stay here and find a share Work".I hope my nose doesn't get longer. Henry Wilson put a hand on hers. "So you've never had a man take care of you." He leaned forward and said with concern. "I am willing to take care of you for the rest of my life." Julia looked at him in surprise. "I don't want to sound as respected as Doris Day, but we barely know each other." "I want to change that." Sally was waiting for Julia when she got home. "Well," she asked, "how was your date?" Julia mused, "He's lovely, and..." "He has a crush on you!" Julia smiled slightly. "I think he proposed to me." Sally's eyes widened. "You think he's proposed? My God! Can't you even tell if a man is proposing?" "He said he wanted to take care of me for the rest of his life." "That's a marriage proposal!" Sally exclaimed. "That's a proposal! Marry him! Quick! Before he changes his mind!" Julia laughed loudly: "Can this kind of thing be so anxious?" "Listen to me, ask him to come here for dinner. I'll cook, and you tell him you did." Julia smiled. "Thank you, it won't work. When I find someone, we may have Chinese lunch boxes, but trust me, I'll decorate the table with flowers and candlelight." On their next date, Henry said, "Kansas City is a great place to raise your kids." "Yes." Julia's only problem was that she wasn't sure she wanted to make Kansas City a good place for his kids to be educated, too.He's serious, loyal, level-headed, and decent, but... She discusses with Sally what she should do. "He always wants me to marry him," said Julia. "How is he?" She thought about it, and tried her best to think of the most romantic and touching place in Henry Wilson. "He was faithful, dignified, level-headed, and decent. . . . " Sally glanced at her. "In other words, he lacked personality and was flat." Julia defended herself: "Not quite." Sally nodded knowingly: "He has no personality, so marry him." "what?" "Marry him. It's not so easy to find a good husband without personality." ※※※ The period between getting paid one month and getting paid the next is like an economic minefield.Paying wages by check is subject to a small service fee deduction, rent, car bills, oil, salt, sauce and vinegar, and clothes.Julia owns a Toyota Eagle.It seemed to her that she spent more money on the car than on herself.She always borrows money from Sally. ※※※ One evening when Julia was dressing, Sally said, "Another evening with Henry? Where is he taking you tonight?" "We're going to the Symphony Hall. The conductor is Cleo Lane."