Chapter 19 How scary can a few numbers be in the first part? -19

he must have understood me "Rebecca is a top financial reporter." Luke said after taking a sip of wine. (Does he really think so? Ah, I'll have to casually bring this up next time I'm chatting with Claire Edwards. And Philip, of course.) I smiled confidently at Mr. Brandon, feeling myself an activist and an agitator.I, a top financial reporter, was chatting with a top entrepreneur in a top restaurant in London.This is really cool! "Financial reporter?" muttered Mr. Brandon, putting down his magnifying glass and taking a good look at me. "So, what do you think of the Prime Minister's proclamation?"

I'll never walk around a restaurant trying to strike up a conversation again, never! "Well," I pretended to be calm and perfunctory, while wondering whether I could pretend to suddenly see an old friend of mine across the way. "Dad, I don't think Rebecca wants to talk about work here," Luke interjected, his brow furrowed slightly in displeasure. "Exactly!" said Mrs. Brandon, laughing at me. "Rebecca, your silk scarf is beautiful. Is it from Denny and George?" "Yes!" I replied cheerfully, my whole body relaxed at having escaped the Prime Minister's manifesto (what the hell manifesto?). "I like this silk scarf very much. I bought it on sale last week."

Out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of Luke Brandon staring at me with an odd expression.Why? Why does he look so... Ah, damn it! How could I be so stupid? "On sale... for my aunt," I continued, my mind spinning like hell. "I bought this silk scarf as a gift for my aunt. But she... passed away." Everyone was shocked and speechless for a moment; I bowed my head.I can't believe I said that! "Oh, dear!" said Mr. Brandon hoarsely. "Aunt Omingjude died?" Luke asked in a strange tone. "Yes," I answered, forcing myself to lift my head, "it's so sad!"

"It's terrible!" said Mrs. Brandon sympathetically. "Isn't she in the hospital?" Luke asked, pouring himself a glass of water. "What's up with her?" For a split second, I was speechless. "Because of... her legs," I heard myself say. "Her leg?" Mrs. Brandon stared at me with concern. "What happened to her leg?" "Her leg...was swollen and infected," I added after a pause, "and they had to amputate it, and then, she died!" "My God!" Mr. Brandon shook his head. "Those bloody doctors." He gave me a sudden, vicious look. "Did she go alone?"

"Uh... I don't know," I replied, preparing to retreat.I can't stand this kind of thing anymore.Why didn't I say that my aunt gave me that silk scarf again? "Anyway, nice to meet you, Luke. I have to go, my friends are waiting for me!" I didn't dare to look Luke in the face, I just waved to them indifferently, then quickly turned around and returned to Susie's side.At this time, my heart was pounding, and my face was red and hot.God, I have failed miserably! But by the time our dishes arrived, I had returned to normalcy.The food! I ordered the grilled scallops; I nearly passed out when I took my first bite.After so many days of cheap food that is just enough to eat, it is like heaven! I almost cried - like being a prisoner in the real world, or a war The children after those quotas ended.After the scallops, I had some mayo steak and chips.Finally, when the pudding menu came and everyone said they were full and wanted nothing more, I ordered the chocolate custard.Because, who knows when the next time I'll be at a restaurant like this will be in the Year of the Monkey? Maybe, I'll be living on cheese sandwiches and homemade coffee for months at a time, and nothing will happen to change the routine.

I have chosen a difficult path; but it will prove to be worth it in the end. While I was waiting for the chocolate custard, Suzy and Finny decided they'd go to the other end of the restaurant and talk to Benji.So they got up smoking, and Taxin stayed with me.He doesn't seem to be as keen on moving between the dinner tables as the others.In fact, he was quiet all night.I also noticed that he drank a lot, more than both of us.Any time I look forward to him passing out on the table, it's better for me. We were silent for a while.Frankly speaking, Taxin was so weird that I didn't feel obliged to say anything to him.Then, suddenly, he asked: "Do you like Wagner?"

"Well, I like it." I replied immediately.I'm not sure I've ever heard of Wagner, but I don't want to look uneducated, even in front of Tachin.Also, I did listen to opera—only, I think I listened to Mozart. "Death of Love from Tristan and Isolde," he said, shaking his head, "Death of Love." "Well," I nodded, putting on an all-knowing look.I poured myself some wine and refilled his glass.I looked around to see where Suzie had gone.She slipped away without a trace, leaving me and her drunken cousin, which is her usual style! "Ta-ta-ta-ta, ta-ta-ta-ta..."

Oh my God, he actually sang! Not very loudly, but with great force.And he was looking me in the eyes as if expecting me to sing along with him! "Tap-tap-tap-tap..." Now, with his eyes closed, he swayed side to side to the beat.Things got a little embarrassing. "Tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat..." "Honey," I said with a smile, "you can't top Wagner, can you?" "Tristan," he said, "and Isolde." He opened his eyes. "You are the beautiful Isolde." What am I? Just as I looked at him, he took my hand and put it to his lips and kissed it.For a few seconds, I was too shocked to move.

"Tahin," I said as firmly as I could, trying to pull my hand back. "Tahin, please..." I raised my head, desperately looking for Suzie's shadow.Just then, my eyes met Luke Brandon's, who was walking towards the door of the restaurant.He frowned slightly, then waved his hand as a farewell, and then disappeared. "Your skin smells like roses." Taxin murmured against my skin. "Oh, shut up!" I said exasperatedly, and jerked my hand back.From the force I had left a line of his teeth on my skin. "do not bother me!" I would have slapped him, but it might have irritated him more.

At this time, Suzie and Finney returned with a lot of news.Taxin fell silent again.He barely glanced at me for the rest of the evening, not even at the farewell.Thank God, he must have understood me.