His Little Wild Cat(5)

13

In the following week, Jones did not contact me much.

He probably thought that I had used him that day, or maybe he was afraid of Bertram.

I met Jones again in an entertainment club.

It was Jenny's birthday. His rich second-generation boyfriend invited all my roommates to go to a luxury KTV.

I found the deafening music in the private room a little bit unbearable. I went to take a break under the pretense of going to the bathroom.

As soon as I came out, I ran into Jones, who was smoking. He was reeking of alcohol.

"Beautiful niece." His voice was a little vague, but his eyes lit up when he saw me.

"Jones." I greeted him.

Watching him glance at me, I was a little scared. How much wine had he drunk?

"We haven't contacted for a week and you don’t know me?" Seeing me about to leave, he squeezed my hand gently. His hand was very warm.

I had never held the hands of other boys besides Bertram.

"No, you are drunk. I will ask your friend to help you go back." I was a little uncomfortable and wanted to pull out my hand.

He didn't let me go and pulled me into his arms instead.

I looked up and was a little panicked when I saw his bright eyes.

He lowered his head and he was only an inch away from my lips.

My heart beat so fast.

"What should I do? I don't want to follow the agreement at all now." His voice was soft and charming.

"What agreement?" I whispered.

He licked his lips, and finally held back and let go of me, "Go to ask your perverted uncle."

"He?"

"He got the better of me by drinking in Room 806. I would never work as hard as he does." He smiled bitterly, "I promised him. If I couldn't beat him, I would stay far away from you."

What?

Then I was brought to Room 806 by Jones.

"Talk to your uncle. He shouldn’t drink wine like this. It will kill him."

Jones pushed me to the man leaning on the sofa.

His eyes were closed, and his face was pale. There were dark circles under his eyes. He looked very tired.

I sat there. Looking at a room full of loud people and the wine bottles on the floor, I felt a little upset.

"Bertram." I gently tugged at his sleeve and didn't know what to do.

He raised his eyes slightly after a while and looked at me again as if he wasn't sure. Then he slowly closed his eyes, and said in a hoarse voice, "Sandra."

"Yeah."

"Why are you here?" He reached out and rubbed his temples, and he sounded exhausted and drunk.

"If I don't come, are you going to keep drinking and kill yourself?" I bit my lips, and my eyes were moist. I was very worried, but I couldn't speak softly.

He opened his eyes and forced a smile, "Don't cry. I won't die."

With that, he stood up, took my arm, and walked out.

"Mr. Hill, are you leaving?"

"Bertram, there is still wine. What should we do if you leave?"

"Yeah, you just said you would beat all of us. Now you’re leaving?"

...

I was scared when I heard their words. I was afraid he would be persuaded to go back.

He paused slightly, and my heart skipped a beat.

He looked down at me, reached out, and touched my head gently. Then it seemed he thought of something, and he raised his hand again.

Then he said with a smile, "My little girl is scared. So I won't drink."

He put his hands in his pockets and went outside.

Under their gaze, I followed him timidly.

When we arrived at the garage, he leaned on the side of the car to smoke. Through the smoke, he looked at me out of the corner of his eye.

I stood there and stared at him.

"Wait a minute. I need a cigarette."

"Why did you ask Jones to drink?" I asked him.

"Jones?" He smiled and flicked the ashes, "Nothing. We can drink whenever we want."

"Still lying to me?" I blushed, "Didn't you bet with him to prevent him from contacting me?"

What does he mean?

"Yes." He frowned and sighed. "He has dated too many girls, and he can trick you easily. As I said, you are not suitable."

"Who am I suitable for? You?" I was a little bit angry, "You are kidding."

"Sandra..."

Every time I got angry at him, he would only whisper my name.

"Bertram, what do you want me to do? You told me not to like you. I listened and tried to date other boys, but now you strongly oppose it. Don’t you think you are contradictory?"

He stared at me, extremely silent.

After a while, he said again, "Don't date men in my circle. There are few good men in my circle, including me,"

"Of course, you are not a good person." I stared at him while crying, "Don't you just want me to stay away from you and your circle? I see. But you don’t need to hurt your body on childish bets."

I couldn't stop crying as soon as I saw him.

I felt embarrassed, but I couldn't help myself.

When I saw him lying there with a pale face just now, I was scared to death.

"Don't cry." He reached out and wanted to help me wipe tears, but I tilted my head and dodged.

His hand stopped in the air and there were emotions I couldn't understand in his eyes.

"Going home?" He asked.

"No." I wiped tears myself, and my voice choked a little, "I’m here with my classmates."

He froze for a few seconds and sighed, "It's late."

"I'm 20 years old. Can you care about me for a lifetime?" I asked him. I was in a bad mood and didn't want to talk to him.

He lowered his head, thought for a while, and said in a hoarse voice, "I will always care about you before you get married."

Oh... I couldn't help laughing.

"Well, if I never get married, will you care about me forever?"

He was dumbstruck by my words. He fell silent and stared at me.

Soon, he turned slightly and leaned on the car. He lit another cigarette and took a drag on it, "It’s up to you."

Hearing his words, I felt flustered.

But I had heard too many of his ambiguous words and had too many misunderstandings. I thought of the reason why he did this next second, "And it’s also because of my parents' entrustment?"

He froze. He probably hadn't expected me to say that, and said after a long pause, "I’m grateful to them. I promised them to take care of you for a lifetime."

When he said this, he looked particularly sad.

I felt sad too. I lowered my head and didn't speak.

"When they entrusted me to you, they did not expect their daughter to fall in love with you, right?" I smiled bitterly.

"Sandra..." He whispered.

"Bertram, I beg you. If you don't like me, you should stay far away from me. Don't treat me so nicely anymore. Your kindness is like a knife in my chest. Do you understand?"

I stared at him fiercely. He moved his lips but finally said nothing.

Then I left without looking back. When I turned around, I burst into tears.

14

After the encounter in KTV that day, I never contacted Bertram again.

I never returned to that home again.

Later I sent messages to Jones, but he never texted me back.

I became alone completely.

The living expenses in my bank account every month became the only connection between me and Bertram.

There was more and more money, but I didn't want to use his money anymore.

I went to find a part-time job. I wanted to see if I could survive without him.

One weekend, I put on a fancy dress and high heels and went to work as Miss Etiquette at an award ceremony.

I met Bertram again.

He stepped onto the stage and presented awards to others, but his eyes were fixed on me all the time.

The moment he saw me, he was surprised. He looked calm, but he stopped me the moment I went out later.

"Are you running out of money?" He asked.

"No." I didn't want to talk to him.

I had read about him and Alicia showing up on many occasions as a couple in the newspaper.

They were so well-matched.

"Don't be angry." He softened his tone and stared at me.

"Aren't you going to cut tied with me? I don’t think I should use your money anymore. I will support myself." I bite my lips and refused to look at him.

He stared at me for a while. Finally, seeing that I didn't look at him, he bent down and looked at me. Seeing my awkward look, he suddenly smiled, "Kid."

He sighed.

"You can make money if you want. But there is only one rule. Don’t be bullied." He turned aside and made way for me.

I walked away on high heels and didn't talk to him anymore.

At the banquet of the award ceremony later, a group of business leaders was drinking and talking. He was surrounded by the crowd.

I shuttled in the crowd delivering drinks. Every time I looked up, I would see him looking away with a smile.

I knew he was laughing at me.

In just half an hour, I sprained my foot five times, bumped into other guests three times, and dropped the fruit on the floor once. He must be laughing at me for being so clumsy.

Why was he always so annoying?

The person in charge asked me to go to his table to deliver wine. I wanted to refuse, but everyone else was busy working. I bit the bullet and walked over with drinks.

I greeted them politely, asked what they’d like to drink, and handed the drinks to them. When it was his turn, I put a glass of wine directly in front of him without asking and wanted to leave.

"Young girl, you are being a bit rude. Do you know who this is?" A fat man on the side suddenly stopped me and said jokingly.

I glanced at Bertram and didn't speak.

He looked calm. He picked up the wine glass and took a sip.

"No," I said unhappily because he didn't help me.

Hearing what I said, he lowered his head and chuckled.

The people next to him were probably scared by his chuckle and suddenly didn't know how to lecture me.

"Young girl, this is Mr. Hill. Don't go to deliver drinks. Just stay here and pour us some coffee." The fierce fat man was keen enough. Seeing Bertram chuckle, he was afraid he might have misunderstood something. His attitude towards me suddenly got better.

But I didn't want to stay here.

"Sorry, I have to go to another table to deliver drinks." I forced a smile and wanted to leave.

But as soon as I took a step, my hand was caught by the man, "Young girl, there is no rush. All the big shots are here at our table. Why would you go over there?"

"Sorry, this is my job." I wanted to pull out my hand. but he was so strong. I had to turn to Bertram.

He shook the wine in the glass with a frown but did not act.

"You’re a college student. Haven't you seen the world?" The fat man was angry.

The person in charge heard the noise and hurried over.

I was about to apologize. Bertram drank his wine in one gulp, stood up, walked to me, and pinched the fat man's hand.

"Mr. Hill..." The fat man screamed in pain, and had to release my hand, "Mr. Hill, what are..."

"She’s my little girl. I didn't take her out to see the world. I’m sorry, Mr. Jackson." His voice was scary. I had never seen him like this.

"What? Your... Mr. Hill... I'm sorry..." Mr. Jackson stuttered in pain.

The people around were also frightened. They all stood up and tried to make peace.

"Mr. Jackson did not expect her to be your family... Why don’t you spare him this time?"

"Yes, the young girl came out to experience life. She’s a role model for young people."

"Mr. Hill must have taught her well at home. At first glance, I knew the young girl is amazing."

...

They were trying to persuade and flattering on the side, but Bertram ignored them.

Seeing that Mr. Jackson's face turned pale in pain, I was scared and tugged at Bertram's sleeve.

He turned to look at me, and his angry face finally eased.

"Does it hurt?" He asked me gently.

"A little. It's okay." I moved my wrist.

He stared at me for a few seconds and finally turned back and let go of Mr. Jackson.

Mr. Jackson immediately shouted for help.

He didn't look at Mr. Jackson. He wiped his hands with a napkin, took my hand, and walked out.