Chapter 15: Laura

Long afterward, I still leaned on his shoulder, relaxing and enjoying our closeness. I thought he had already forgotten his question before we headed to the mall.  

Suddenly, he dropped the bomb again. “So, when do you want to meet my mom?”

I raised my head from his shoulder. “Uh … uh … how about two or three months later?” I whispered. 

He shook his head. “Too long. Two or three months later, she will fly to Milan. There is a fashion show she wanted to see there.” After a while, he asked again, “How about next month?”

Finally, I gave up. Eventually, I would meet with his mom too. So I nodded though I didn’t want to.  

He squeezed my hand. “Good! I’m sure she’ll like you.”

I wasn’t as optimistic as him, but I commented nothing. I hoped I was wrong. 

“Oh, when will we treat your friends?”

“How about this weekend? They probably have time on the weekend. I’ll ask them. They will be happy because it’s about the treat.” I grinned when I imagined going to eat with my three friends.

“Deal! Don’t forget to ask them and let me know, okay?”

I nodded. 

“Let’s return to the office. It’s almost time to work again.”

After he paid, we rushed to the parking lot. It only took fifteen minutes, and we arrived at the office. 

“Edward, I have nothing to do. Can I help the work in the accounting department? I can ask my friends too if they can go out with us this weekend.”

“Oh, go ahead, but are you sure you aren’t tired?”

I shook my head. “Not at all. Because if I do nothing, I’m bored.”

He smiled at me. “You are so diligent. I’m so proud of you.”

“If you have things I need to do, I’ll tell them.” 

“Okay, but don’t do it too often. I don’t want them to count on your help.”

“I understand. I’ll just do it once in a while. Don’t worry.”

Then, I worked with some financial reports. It was a half hour before office hours ended. I just remembered about the treat. So I sent a text to Cecil, Jenny, and Anna. ‘How about if we go this Saturday? Edward will treat us. Are you free to go?’

No need to wait for long, I received a text from Cecil. ‘Ready! Anna and Jenny will go too. They asked me to tell you.’ 

Edward was seriously typing something on his computer, but I saw his status online on H-messenger. So, I chatted with him there.

Chubby-girl: Hi, handsome, all confirmed. We can go out this Saturday. How about you? 

London-man: Okay. I already told my mom too. She invited you to dinner at their house. Take a note, please. It’s on November 8th, at 7 p.m.

Chubby-girl: Got it. Uh … what should I wear?

London-man: Anything. Unless you prefer not to wear anything. That’s a problem.  

He gave me a wink emoticon.

Chubby-girl: Dirty mind! What a pervert!

London-man: I’m a man LOL!

Chubby-girl: Uh, you are naughty. I thought you’re a good boy.

I could hear him chuckle. 

London-man: It’s better that way, isn’t it? I could pretend to be a good boy, but I suddenly did naughty things. 

Chubby-girl: You are truly a smooth talker. 

London-man: Of course. LOL! So, have you finished with your work?

Chubby-girl: I still have a few things left to do. Why?

London-man: We have a meeting in Singapore next week. Please book tickets for us, okay?

Chubby-girl: I’m coming too? Wow! Great! How long will we stay there?

London-man: Yes, you’ll go too. It’s two or three days. The meeting is only for one day, but we’ll use the second day to follow-up the meeting result. If it is possible, we can use the third day for dating there. Don’t forget to note all expenses. We need to report it after we go home later. The hotel and all other accommodations have been booked by the committee. I already paid for them too. 

Chubby-girl: Got it, Boss! Yay, I’ll go abroad!

London-man: Have you never gone abroad? 

Chubby-girl: Not yet. It’s the first.

London-man: Ah, I see. No wonder you’re so excited. It’ll be our first date there. Don’t forget to bring a swimsuit too because there is a swimming pool in the hotel. 

Chubby-girl: Hm ....

London-man: What’s wrong?

Chubby-girl: I’m not confident about wearing a swimsuit! You can see my fat. 

London-man: I love you just the way you are. Never forget that.

How sweet he was! I felt melting. 

Chubby-girl: Thank you, honey.

London-man: It’s the first time you called me honey. I love it! You must call me honey often. 

I smiled when I read that. Then suddenly I got an idea. So I called him.

Since his phone rang, he took it and glanced at me while raising his eyebrow because it was my name on his phone’s screen. He laughed while taking the phone. “Hello?”

“I just want to call you, honey.”

His laugh was louder, then he hung up. Then he approached my desk. Unexpectedly, he kissed my forehead. “Thank you. You really brighten my day!” 

I smiled to hear that. Brightening his day was my hope every day. After he returned to his desk, I ordered our tickets to Singapore for the next week.  

Later, I turned off my computer and prepared to go home. The remaining work could wait for the next day. It wasn’t urgent. He already waited for me so we could go home together.  

Cecil, Anna, and Jenny approached us when they saw both of us from afar.. 

“Don’t forget. We’ll go to eat this Saturday. After office hours, okay?” he said. 

Three of them answered, “Yes sir!” 

Cecil waved her hand. His brother had already fetched her. While Anna went home with Jenny.   

As usual, Edward opened the car door for me. Inside, he stared at me for a while, then smiled.  

“What?” I asked. 

“Nothing. I just love seeing you with your friends. You look so happy.”

“I’m happy indeed. Besides having good friends, I have a caring boyfriend.” 

“Really?” He kept staring at me deeply, then reached out his hand to hold my chin. Slowly, he bent his face and kissed my lips tenderly.  

I closed my eyes. If only time could stop this moment so I could save this lovely moment for a while. Later, I could feel his arm around my waist. He hugged my waist while deepening his kiss. I sighed.  

“Laura ....”

I opened my eyes instantly. Laura? 

Suddenly, as if I was thrown away to the real world after flying into a beautiful dream world. He still closed his eyes, and his hand caressed my hair while kissing my lips.   

My heart was heavy. It was my first kiss with him, but he called another woman’s name. So I pushed his chest slowly. 

“Sorry.” His expression was awkward. 

I said nothing. What should I say? I didn’t look into his eyes either. 

“Are you mad because I kissed you?” 

I kept silent. My tears almost fell. So I took a deep breath, wishing I didn’t cry before him.  

He let out a long sigh. “Is that true? I’m sorry. I got carried away.”

“No, it’s not because you kissed me!” I said. My tone was higher. “You called me Laura.”

He was startled. “Did I?”