Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
Worried that she might die at the hands of those men, she had asked Mirabella to visit her parents if she had the chance. After all, she was their only daughter.
Knowing Mirabella’s character, she was clear that if Mirabella found out her death was due to an assassination, she would stop at nothing to seek vengeance.
Ophelia didn’t want Mirabella to take such risks; she only wished for Mirabella to live a happy and peaceful life with the one she loved. That would be enough for her!
That’s why she had been so insistent the night before.
“Sweetheart.” Mirabella added more to her breakfast. “Next time you’re in trouble, just send me your location. No matter what, no matter where you are, I’ll find a way to save you.”
“I don’t need your saving!”
She would rather face danger herself than have her best friend risk everything.
“Thank goodness Sean got there in time.” Otherwise, Mirabella would never forgive herself.
The thought of Sean triggered a flood of memories in Ophelia’s mind, especially the moment of his confession.
“I’m Sean, I like you, and you damn well better not die.”
What was going on?Could it be that she misremembered it??
How could Sean possibly like her??
But the memory of last night felt too real.
The words Sean said to her, and the way he scolded those men were all etched in her mind.
“What’s on your mind?” Mirabella caught Ophelia’s faint blush and couldn’t help but think she was picturing Sean holding her in his arms.
Ophelia’s cheeks flushed even hotter upon hearing the question.
Mirabella watched her with a knowing smile. “I’ve told you that Sean has a soft spot for you.”
That statement gave Ophelia a more concrete answer to her suspicions.
Could it be that Sean really liked her?
She vaguely remembered from the night before how Sean had seemed anxious and concerned. Was it all real?
And Bella knew about it too?
At the thought, Ophelia suddenly choked on her food and coughed uncontrollably.
“Take it easy,” Mirabella said, passing her a glass of milk.
Ophelia took a few hurried sips, feeling her mind racing. If Sean truly liked her, why would he put a hold on her project?
Was it just to get her attention?
But with so many other ways to catch someone’s attention, why would he choose one so infuriating?
Seeming to have read her thoughts, Mirabella spoke softly, “If the project had gone smoothly, you would have been back in your home country a month ago.”
So, Sean was trying to delay her departure, and to keep her in Belloria.
What about the car race?
How did that fit into all this?
“As to that race, if you hadn’t gotten hurt, your competitor would have been Sean.” Mirabella’s guess brought a mischievous smile to her lips. “The prize for that race was quite substantial.”
After all, owning the whole Kowloon Bay track was a dream for many.
If Sean intended to let Ophelia win the track, it meant she held a special place in his heart.
Ophelia was even more stunned.
So, Sean knew she wanted the Kowloon Bay track, and he found a way to give it to her indirectly?
If Sean really liked her, that would explain why he didn’t want her to call him by his first name as Bella did the night before.
Because Sean didn’t want him to be like a brother to her!
Bella knew about Sean’s feelings, which was why she kept speaking for him last night.
Everything made sense.
Ophelia’s heartbeat quickened; could it really be that Sean liked her?
When did it start?
And why?
A while later, when Sean joined them for breakfast, he coolly nodded at Ophelia, “Morning.”
“Morning.” Ophelia replied, suddenly feeling uneasy. The thought of Sean possibly liking her sent her heart into overdrive, and made it thumping harder than usual.
“Thanks for last night.”
Sean was about to dismiss the thanks when he heard her continue, “Bella, I’m full. You take your time.
If there’s nothing else, I better head back… You’ve got your trip coming up.”
Sean thought of her drowsy question before he lifted her into the car the night before, ‘Why are you holding back my project?’
He had wanted to explain then, but the next second, she had passed out!
Watching her leave now, Sean thought the project issue might have upset her, which was why she seemed in such a rush to get away from him.
He felt a pang of urgency to follow her, yet unsure of how to explain himself.
“The ointment on the coffee table is for her,” Mirabella mentioned nonchalantly.
Grateful for his sister’s thoughtfulness, Sean hurried after Ophelia.
Just as Ophelia stepped out of the main building, Sean caught up with her. “Wait up.”
Why did he follow her out??
She felt even more uncomfortable now.
“About the project thing. It was a fault made by my team. It’s sorted now, and no one will block your projects again,” he said.
Ophelia hadn’t expected him to come out and talk about this. She nodded, “Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it,” Sean replied. Seeing her about to leave, he couldn’t help but try to keep her a little longer, “Maybe stay a while?”
“Bella’s leaving for a trip abroad. I don’t want to delay her schedule.”
She intended to let Bella finish her work early, then go back and rest at home.
Seeing that Sean was still standing in front of her and not planning to move, Ophelia asked in a cool voice, “Is there anything else?”
Sean suddenly remembered something and handed her a tube of ointment, “Bella wanted me to give this to you. You should take care of that cut on your forehead. Don’t get it wet. And if it hurts, you can tell me.”
Ophelia was puzzled. Why should she tell him?
“I can ask Bella to see if she has a solution to the pain,” Sean said, worried that his ulterior motive would be revealed, “Last night, Bella said your wound was from a glass shard, and it was kind of deep.
You’ll need to apply this ointment for a couple of weeks to prevent scarring.”Bella hadn’t mentioned any ointment last night, but today she had asked him to pick up the tube from the coffee table, probably this very one.
“Alright.” Ophelia took the ointment, and they fell into an awkward silence.
Then, as Sean saw some flowers in the dirt beside them, it occurred to him , “Oh, right.”
He picked up the potted plants, “These are your flowers; don’t forget them.”
Ophelia didn’t expect Bella to be so thoughtful to have even refreshed the soil, and just as she was about to take them.
Sean held onto them, “Bella asked me to carry them to your car.”
Huh??
Though surprised, Ophelia accepted Bella’s gesture and walked with Sean towards the gate.
“I haven’t lived with Bella for long, so I don’t know her usual likes and dislikes. Since she’s traveling, I’m worried I won’t cater to her tastes well enough. Can you tell me?” Sean started a conversation.
Hearing that it was about Bella, Ophelia felt her tense nerves relaxed a bit, and she began to chat away.
“What about you, what do you like?”
Ophelia paused, blushing slightly. So, after all this roundabout talking, he wanted to know her favorite foods??