Chapter 11 Part 2 The Charm of Love - 4

"Tashin, you're so handsome!" I said—and I meant it.He was still that thin, even skinny, but suddenly he wasn't scruffy anymore, and looked... more refreshed. "Really?" Taxin said, he looked down at himself.He looked a little overwhelmed—or maybe I was being a little bit domineering, making him feel so uncomfortable.But the point is, he will thank me later. A car horn blares outside, startling both of us. "Well, I hope you have a nice time home," I said, suddenly feeling like I was his mother, "tomorrow morning, wet your hair with water and comb it with your fingers, and it will look neater. "

"Okay," Tachin said, as if I'd just told him a long list of numerical formulas for him to remember, "I'll try to remember. What about your jumper? Can I mail it back to you? " "You don't have to pay me back!" I almost shouted in panic, "It's for you, just wear it. It's a gift from me." "Thank you," Taxin said, "I really... thank you very much, Becky." He leaned over and kissed me lightly on the cheek, and I patted his cheek awkwardly. the back of the hand.He walked out, disappeared out the door, and I wished him the best of luck at this party and finding someone who was right for him.He does deserve someone to love him.

Suzy's car drove away and I went into the kitchen to make a cup of tea and think about how to spend the rest of the afternoon.I'm hesitant to write more of my self-help book, but thinking about watching "Manhattan," which Suzie taped on TV last night, would really help me on my upcoming trip to NYC of.Anyway, I have to be fully prepared, right? When I get back from New York, I'll always have time to work on that book.That's all. I was just happily stuffing the tape into the VCR when the phone rang. "Hi, hello," said a lady's voice, "I'm sorry to disturb you. Is this Becky Miss Bloomwood?"

"Yes," I said, reaching for the remote. "I'm your, um, travel agent," said the woman, clearing her throat. "We want to check on your hotel in New York." "Well...it's the Four Seasons Hotel." "With a Mr. . . . Luke Braden?" "yes." "How many nights are you going to stay?" "Hmm... 13 days? Or 14 days? I'm not sure." I squinted at the picture on the TV, wondering if I had put the tape upside down.Shouldn't the Walker's potato chip commercials be gone? "Do you live in a studio or a suite?"

"I think it's the suite." "How much does it cost per night?" "That... I don't know," I said, "but I can find out..." "No, please don't bother me," said the lady cheerfully. "Well, I won't bother you anymore. I wish you a pleasant trip." "Thanks!" I said, as I found the beginning of the film, "We're going to have fun." The phone hung up, and I walked to the sofa, frowning slightly.The travel agency should know how much the hotel costs per day, right? I mean - it must be within the scope of her business, right?

I sat on the sofa, took a sip of tea, and waited for the movie to start.Thinking about that call now, it's kind of weird.Why would you call and ask such really common and simple questions? Unless - maybe she's a novice? Or just checking, or... At this time, Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" rang in the room, and the beautiful melody immediately attracted my attention, and I forgot about the phone call just now.A vision of Manhattan appeared on the television screen.I was engrossed in staring at the TV screen, and my heart was full of excitement.This is where we're headed! We'll be in NYC in three days! I can't wait, can't wait!

endwich bank Fulham Branch 3 Fulham Road, London SW6 9JH To: Ms. Rebecca Bloomwood Unit 2, 4 Burnie Road, London SW6 8FD Dear Miss Bloomwood: Thank you very much for your letter of September 19th. If you have not broken your leg, please contact me immediately to arrange a meeting to discuss your overdraft situation. We have charged you £20 to write you this letter. Shun Zhi respect Overdraft Credit Manager John Gavin September 21, 2001 Royal Airways headquarters 354 Kingsway Street, London WC2 4TH Preston Building To: Ms. Rebecca Bloomwood Unit 2, 4 Burnie Road, London SW6 8FD

Dear Miss Bloomwood: Thank you so much for your letter of September 18th, I am sorry to know that our baggage policy has left you sleepless and anxious. I totally agree that you are much, much lighter than your "fat Antwerp businessman with a donut face".But unfortunately, Royal Airways is still unable to increase your checked baggage weight beyond the standard 20kg allowance. You can lodge an appeal against this, and address it to Mr. Cherry Blair.However, our company's baggage policy will remain unchanged. Shun Zhi respect Customer Service Manager Mary Stevens September 23, 2001

Alright, here we go in New York.A place where I feel at home.I was born to live in America. We arrived last night, but I already love the place.First of all, the hotel we were staying in was magnificent--big rock and granite walls, high interior ceilings.Our room is very spacious. You can overlook the Central Park by opening the window. There is also a special dressing room in the room. The walls are covered with decorative patterned wall coverings. The bathtub in the bathroom is very beautiful, and it can be filled quickly after turning on the faucet. water.Everything here is spacious, luxurious, and has a . . . superior feel.Just like last night, not long after we arrived, Luke said that we would go downstairs for a casual drink—but really, the Martini that the waiter in the hotel restaurant brought us was such a big glass.Really, let me finish drinking. (I managed to finish it anyway. Then I had another drink, just so I wouldn't come across as petty.)

Besides, everyone here is so nice and polite.The waiters in the hotel all have smiles on their faces - you just thank them and say 'thank you' and they're bound to say 'you're welcome' which is not the case in the UK , At most, there was a grunt in the throat, which was considered an answer.To my surprise, I also received a bouquet of flowers from Luke's mother Eleanor who lives in New York, an invitation to lunch with me, and an appointment to meet me on Wednesday. Flowers from TV people, and a gift basket of fruit from someone I don't know at all but "would love" to meet!

I mean, when was the last time Zelda from "Morning Coffee" sent me a fruit gift basket? That's it. I took a sip of my coffee and smiled at Luke.I'm sitting in the dining room, eating breakfast comfortably, before Luke has a meeting to attend, and I'm figuring out how to spend the day.I didn't have any interviews scheduled for the next few days, so I was free to visit museums, or walk in Central Park...or...go to a store or two... "Do you want more coffee?" a friendly voice asked from beside me - I looked up to see a smiling waiter carrying a pot of coffee.You see what I mean by now? Once we sat down to breakfast, they kept coming to refill our coffee.When I asked for a glass of orange juice, they brought me a large glass with frozen orange zest.And those crunchy pancakes that I devoured... I mean, pancakes for breakfast, what a genius idea, huh? "So I suppose you're going to the gym?" said Luke, closing the Daily Telegraph he was reading.He reads all kinds of newspapers and periodicals every day, both American and British.That's nice, because I can still read my Daily World horoscope commentary. "Gym?" I said, confused. "I suppose that's your daily routine," he said, reaching for the Financial Times on his desk. "Morning gym." I was about to say, "Stop messing around!" Then I thought maybe I said something in a hurry last night about going to the gym or something.That was after a second martini. Anyway - that's fine too.I can also go to the gym.In fact, going to the gym is really good.Afterwards, I can... just go out and have a look.Maybe go and see some famous buildings. You see, I'm sure I've read somewhere about Bloomingdale's: Bloomingdale's: the famous fashion department store in New York City. ——Annotation is a building worthy of people's appreciation. "So where have you decided to go?" "I haven't decided yet," I mumbled as I watched a waiter bring a plate of French toast to the table next to us.OMG, this toast is mouth watering.Why don't we have such wonderful food in Europe? "I thought, just go out and see New York." "I just asked the service desk - there is a city walking tour group from the hotel at 11 o'clock, and a guide will take everyone to watch the street scene. The people in the hotel highly recommend tourists to go." "Yeah," I said, taking a sip of my coffee, "well, I think I might..." "Of course, you've got to get rid of the shopping as a matter of arrangement," Luke added, and I stared at him in disbelief as he reached for the Times on the table again.Shopping isn't something to "get rid of," only other things to get rid of. In fact, it made me take this kind of shopping with a guide seriously.Probably I should have been on this show - so I could have written off the idea of ​​shopping on my own. "This guided sightseeing tour looks really good," I said, "and I thought it would be a good way to get to know the city where I'm going to start my new life." Looking around, this restaurant is full of energetic entrepreneurs, accompanied by stylish and elegant ladies, and the restaurant waiters shuttle back and forth silently. "Gosh, think about it, in a few weeks we'll be settling down here and being real New Yorkers!" "Becky," Luke said.He put down the newspaper in his hand—suddenly he looked a little serious. "There's something I've been meaning to say to you. It's all been hastily settled, and I've never had a chance—but I do think you'll have to think about it." "Okay," I asked a bit worried, "what's the matter?" "It's a big step to start over in a new city. Especially in a city as extreme as New York. I've been here many times, but it still feels overwhelming sometimes." "Yes. So—what do you want to say?" "I mean, I think you have to get used to it. Don't expect everything to feel right to you right away. Just the pressure and pace of life here is, frankly, completely different from London." I stared at him blankly, feeling a little frustrated. "You think I can't keep up with the pace of life here?" "I don't mean that," Luke said, "I'm just saying—getting to know the city. Feel the city and see if you really like living here. You might hate the city, too! You'll Decided not to move in. Of course, I very much hope you don't—but it's never a mistake to keep an eye out." "Yes," I said slowly, "I understand." "So, see how the day goes - let's talk about it tonight, shall we?" "Okay," I said, taking a thoughtful sip of my coffee. I'll show Luke that I can fit in the city.I'll show him that I can be a real New Yorker.I'll go to the gym, drink some wheatgrass health drinks, and then...maybe go to shooting practice? Or maybe just going to the gym and exercising is enough. I've actually been thinking about getting serious about working out too, and I bought this great DKNY workout wear on sale last year and now have the chance to wear it for the first time! I was thinking about getting into a gym Club, in fact I've even been to the Holmes Gym on Fulham Street and picked up a stack of registration forms.At this moment, I read a very interesting article, saying that as long as you adapt to local conditions, you can achieve the effect of weight loss and fitness by doing some random exercise at any time.Just wave your hands and twist your body! So I thought I'd try that first and use the money I saved to buy a new dress. It's not that I don't like sports or anything - I do.I am also very keen on sports.If I moved to New York, I'd have to go to the gym every day, right? I mean, that's the rule here.So, go to the gym first, and you can get used to it well. As I walked to the fitness center door, I glanced at my reflection on the glass—I was secretly pleased with how I looked.People say that New Yorkers are tall, thin, but fit, right? But I'm much healthier than some New Yorkers, in my opinion.I mean, look at that bald guy over there in the gray t-shirt who looks like he's never been to a gym in his life! "Hi," someone called from beside me.I looked up and saw a strong man in a stylish black spandex gym suit walking towards me. "My name is Tony. How did you work out today?" "Fine, thanks," I said, bending over and kicking my legs. (At least, I think it's my own kind of bent-kick exercise.) "I'm here for a workout." I casually crossed my legs, clapped my hands, and stretched my arms forward.My image is reflected in the mirror on the opposite wall in the gym - and even though I say that myself, my image is pretty cool. "Do you exercise regularly?" Tony asked. "Not at the gym," I say, bending over to touch my toes with my fingers—halfway through the bend I change my mind and my fingers just rest on my knees. "But I walk a lot." "Great!" Tony said. "Was it on the stepper? Or outside on the road?" "It's often...walking around the store." "Really..." he said hesitantly. "But I carry heavy things a lot," I explained, "you see, it's usually shopping bags or something." "Yes," Tony said, but he still had a skeptical look on his face. "Okay...do you want me to show you how to use this machine?" "It's okay," I said confidently, "I'll try it myself." To be honest, I can't stand listening to him babble and explain how each machine works and what settings are there.I mean, I'm not an idiot, am I? I grab a towel from the tray next to it, throw it over the nape of my neck, and head to a treadmill, which should be easy.I step on the pedals and look at the buttons on the control panel in front of me.The word "time" flashed on the panel, I thought about it, and pressed "40 minutes", which is about the same.I mean, this is the time when people usually practice walking, right? "Program" was flashing again on the panel, and I pressed the up and down arrow keys and chose "Climb", which is better than "Climb". Sounds a lot more interesting."Level" then flashes on the panel.Well, I looked back to ask someone else, but Tony was nowhere to be found. I leaned sideways toward the balding man who was working out on the treadmill next to me. "Sorry," I said politely, "What level do you think I should choose?" "It depends," said the fellow, "how is your health?" "Well," I said with a modest smile, "Look..." "I use level 5, I don't know if it has any reference for you," said the guy, walking briskly on the treadmill. "Okay," I said, "thanks!" That said, if he takes level 5, I can definitely use level 7.I mean, frankly, look at him—and look at me. I leaned forward, pressed "7", and then pressed "Start".The treadmill started to move, and I followed suit.This feels so good! Gosh, I should be hitting the gym more often.Or simply join a fitness club. It appears that even a person who does not exercise can have a minimum of natural fitness.Because I have no problem running like this at all.In fact, it's too easy.I really have to choose- etc.The treadmill began to incline upwards, and the speed increased.I have to run to keep up with it. That's okay too.I mean, that's exercise, right? Go for a healthy run.Keeping up with the rhythm, breathing a little faster, but it just shows that my cardiorespiratory function is working normally.This is good.as long as it's not too- The machine is tilting up again.Oh my God.Why is this rhythm getting faster and faster. I can't stand it.My face was flushed, my chest was hurting, and I was panting desperately, and my hands were tightly grasping the handrails on both sides of the treadmill.I can't run so fast.I need to slow down. I banged on the control panel like hell - but the treadmill was still spinning - and suddenly it tilted up even harder.Oh, what can I do.No more, stop now. "Remaining time: 38 minutes" flashed on the control panel in front of me.38 minutes left? I glanced to the right, and the bald man was following the treadmill with ease, as if he were going downhill.I wanted to talk to him, but I couldn't speak.I can only stride my legs and run quickly. Suddenly, he glanced sideways in my direction—the expression on his face changed. "Miss, are you all right?" He hurriedly pressed the buttons on the control panel in front of him, his treadmill stopped, he ran off the treadmill, and hurriedly pressed some buttons on the control panel of my treadmill. My treadmill slowed down, and finally stopped suddenly-I collapsed on the armrest of the machine exhausted, panting heavily. "Drink some water," the man said, handing me a glass. "Thanks, thank you," I said as I staggered off the treadmill, still panting.With my lungs feeling like they were going to explode, I glanced at my reflection in the mirror on the opposite wall and saw that my face was as red as a tomato. "You'd better stop here today," said the man, looking at me a little concerned. "Okay," I said, "yes, I think that's it for now." I took a swig of water to calm my breath. "I think it's because I'm not familiar with American machines." "Possibly," he said, nodding, "this exercise machine can be tricky sometimes, of course, this treadmill—" he added, patting my treadmill lightly"— Made in Germany." "Yes," I said after a pause, "yes, well, anyway, thanks for your help." "It's okay," the man said—he was back on his treadmill, and I saw a smile on his face. Oh my God, that scene just now was really embarrassing.By this time I had showered, changed, and walked slowly into the lobby of the hotel to find the city walking tour, feeling a little dejected.Maybe Luke was right.Maybe I can't keep up with the pace of life in New York.Maybe it's a bad idea to let me come and live here with him. A few sightseers had assembled in the hall—most of them much older than I—and they were listening to a young man speak enthusiastically about the Statue of Liberty. "Hi!" He stopped what he just said when I walked to the crowd, and greeted me, "Are you also here to join our sightseeing group?" "Yes," I replied. "What's your name?" "Rebecca Bloomwood," I said, blushing a little under all the stares, "I signed up and paid at the information desk." "Well, hello, Rebecca!" the guide said to me, ticking off his list. "My name is Christopher. You are welcome to join our tour group. Are you wearing shoes suitable for longer walks?" He looked down at the leather shoes I was wearing (they were a pair of small lavender high-heeled shoes, Bertie I bought it during a big sale in the mall), the original breezy smile on my face seemed a little stiff, "Did you know that our sightseeing will last about three hours, all on foot?" "I know," I said with some surprise, "that's why I wear these shoes." "Okay," Christopher said hesitantly, "That's good." He looked back at everyone, "It seems that everyone is here, let's go!" He led the group out of the hotel and walked on the sidewalk outside. The crowd easily followed him, and I walked slowly, looking up at the towering skyscrapers all around me from time to time.Today's weather is clear, the air is crisp, and the sun is shining brightly on sidewalks and buildings.I looked around, filled with a sense of novelty.My God, this city really has endless charm.I mean, although I already know that New York has countless skyscrapers, it is not until I stand on this street and look up at these tall buildings that I can really understand what it is... um, behemoth.I stared up at the top of the building against the blue sky until I felt a slight pain in my neck and a little dizziness.My eyes slowly moved down, floor by floor, and finally landed on the shop windows on the ground floor.I found myself looking at the words "Prada" and "shoes". Oh. Prada shoes.Right here in front of me. I really have to take a quick look. As the other tourists moved forward, I walked briskly to the window where I saw a pair of dark brown women's pumps.Omg this style is so stylish.How much would it cost a pair? You see, maybe the Prada ones are cheaper here.Maybe I should go in and see- "Rebecca?" Startled, I turned around—the entire tour group was standing about 20 yards away, all looking in my direction. "I'm sorry," I said, slowly moving my legs away from the window again reluctantly, "here I come." "We will arrange time for everyone to go shopping in the store later." Christopher said happily. "I know," I said, with a relaxed smile, "I'm so sorry." "it does not matter." Of course, he was right.There will be plenty of time to go shopping.Enough time. Ok.I'm going to concentrate now and go sightseeing with everyone. "So, Rebecca," Christopher said to me with a big smile on my face as I got up to the group, "I was just telling the group that we're on East Fifty-seventh Street, walk up Fifth Street, and Fifth Street is also the most famous street in New York City." "Wow!" I said, "This is really good!" "Fifth Street can also be regarded as the dividing line between the 'East Side' and the 'West Side'," Christopher said. "Anyone who is interested in history will know..."