Chapter 6 How scary can a few numbers be in the first part? -6

get £20 "But I need money!" I whispered. "I need it urgently! I need £20!" My voice was much louder than I intended, and Alicia stopped speaking. "Rebecca, maybe you should have joined Frante Investment long ago." Alicia said.The room snickered again.A few people turned their faces and looked at me stupidly with their mouths open, and I glared back at them angrily.For God's sake, they're all my fellow reporters.They should be on my side! Where is the team spirit of the National Association of Journalists? Despite the fact that I have never been a member of the National Association of Journalists, we are still comrades in arms!

"What do you want twenty pounds for?" Luke Brandon asked from the front of the conference room. "My... my aunt," I said defiantly, "she's in the hospital, and I want to buy her a present." There was silence in the conference room.Then, to my disbelief, Luke Brandon reached into his pocket, pulled out a £20 note, and handed it to a reporter sitting in the front row.The reporter hesitated, then passed the money to the back row.And just like that, a £20 note passed from hand to hand and finally reached me, spinning like a fan through the crowd.When I took the banknote, there was a burst of applause in the conference room, and my face was flushed.

"Thanks," I said awkwardly, "of course, I'll pay you back." "Say hello to your aunt for me!" said Luke Brandon. "Thank you!" I said again.Then I glanced at Alicia, feeling a little triumphant.She looked very depressed. By the time of the final reporter's question time, people began to slip away one after another, going back to their offices.Usually, at this time, I will buy a cup of Cappuccino and then go shopping.However, today I will not be like this.Today I made up my mind to hang on until one last boring question about tax structures.That way, I could go up to the front row and thank Luke Brandon in person, or with gestures if I couldn't say it.Then I will go buy that silk scarf.awesome!

But to my surprise, after only a few questions, Luke Brandon stood up, whispered something to Alicia, and walked towards the door. I muttered "thank you" as he passed my seat, but I'm not sure if he heard it. Who cares, though? All that matters is that I've got £20. On the way back from Westminster, the Tube stopped for no apparent reason.Five minutes passed, then ten minutes.I can't believe how bad my luck was! Normally, of course, I'd be hoping for a subway breakdown to justify lingering a little longer outside the office.But today I was like a worried businessman with an ulcer, tapping my fingers and sighing, and looking out the dark window every now and then.

A part of me knew perfectly well that I had enough time to get to Denny and George before the store closed; another part knew that even if I couldn't make it, the blonde wouldn't be able to sell that scarf to someone else.But there are still possibilities, so unless I get the silk scarf with my own hands, I can't feel at ease. When the subway finally restarted, I sighed exaggeratedly and sat back in my seat.I glanced at the pale, nervous man sitting to my left. "Thank goodness!" I said, "I'm almost desperate." "It's really frustrating," he echoed quietly.

"They don't think so, do they?" I said. "I mean, some of us have urgent things to do. I'm in a hurry!" "I'm in a hurry too," the man said. "If the subway is not running, I don't know what to do." I shook my head, "You will feel very... helpless!" "I know what you mean," the man said eagerly, "they don't realize that some of us..." He gestured at me. "We're not here to hitchhike. It matters if we get there in time." "Exactly!" I said, "Where are you going?" "My wife is having a baby," he said. "This is our fourth child."

"Oh!" I was taken aback. "Ugh...god. Congratulations. I hope you—" "It took her an hour and a half to give birth last time," the man said, wiping sweat from his brow, "and I've been on the subway for 40 minutes and still have to, but at least the subway is moving now." He shrugged slightly, then smiled at me. "What about you? What's your business?" oh god. "I... ah... I'm going to..." I stopped weakly, cleared my throat, and felt my face flush with shame.I can't tell this man that all I have to do is go to Denny and George and buy a silk scarf.

I mean, a silk scarf.Not even coats, coats, or anything else of such importance. "Not that important." I heard myself mutter. "I don't believe it," he said kindly. Oh now I feel terrible! I looked up - thank goodness I've arrived. "Good luck," I said, standing hastily. "I really hope you make it to your wife in time." As I walked down the sidewalk to the store, I felt a tinge of shame.Maybe instead of buying a useless silk scarf, I should have given the man my £120 to buy something for the new baby.I mean, when you think about it, what's more important, the clothes—or the miracle of new life?

As I meditated on this question, I felt myself becoming deep and philosophical.In fact, I was so engrossed that I almost turned the corner.Luckily I looked up in time to turn the corner - and my heart skipped a beat.A girl came up to me with a Denny and George bag.In an instant, all other thoughts in my mind disappeared. Oh my God. What if she bought my silk scarf? What if she wants it so badly and the clerk sells it to her thinking I won't be coming back? My heart started beating nervously as I strode down the street to the store.I could barely breathe with worry as I walked to the door and pushed it open.What if it has already been sold? What will I do?

But when I walked in, the blonde smiled at me. "Hi!" she said, "it's waiting for you here!" "Oh, thanks." I breathed a sigh of relief and leaned weakly against the counter. I really feel like I went through a kickboxing class to get here.In fact I think they should list "shopping" as one of the behaviors that can cause cardiovascular disease.My heart beats faster than ever whenever I see the "fold in half" notice! As I counted, I took out 10- and 20-yuan bills and waited.I almost shuddered as she leaned over to pull out the green box from behind the counter.She put it in a thick shiny bag with a dark green handle.She handed me the bag and I just wanted to close my eyes, it felt so good!

The moment your fingers wrap around the strings of a gleaming, unruffled bag—everything new and gorgeous inside becomes yours.What is it like? It’s like having a mouth full of warm butter toast after days of starvation. It’s like waking up in the morning and realizing it’s the weekend.My mind went blank.It's pure, utterly personal joy. I walked out of the store slowly, still in a daze of joy.I finally have a Denny and George scarf.I finally have a Denny and George scarf! I finally have- "Rebecca." A man's voice interrupted my thoughts.I looked up and my stomach twitched in horror.It's Luke? Brandon! Luke Brandon was standing in the road, right in front of me, and he was staring at the bag I was carrying.I feel myself getting more and more flustered.But what is he doing on the sidewalk? Don't people like him have personal drivers? Isn't he supposed to be on his way to some important reception or something! "Have you bought it yet?" he said, frowning slightly. "what?" "A gift from your aunt." "Oh, yes." I swallowed, "Yes, I...I bought it." "Is that it?" He pointed to the bag in my hand.I blushed. "Yes," I finally said, "I think a... a silk scarf would be nice." "You are so generous. Denny and George's silk scarf." He raised his eyebrows. "Your aunt must be a very fashionable lady." "She is," I said, clearing my throat, "she is very creative." "Indeed," Luke asked after a pause, "what should I call her?" oh god.I should have turned and run away as soon as I saw him, there was still a chance.And now, I'm completely paralyzed here.Can't even think of a female name. "Umm... Omingjude," I heard myself say. "Aunt Omingjude," said Luke thoughtfully, "well, say hello to her for me." He nodded to me and walked away.I stared after him, trying to figure out if he had guessed that I was lying.