Chapter 48 Stop Kidding
Chapter 48 Stop Kidding
"I won't bully Nancy," Charles comforted with a soft voice. He, too, completely understood the situation.
"That's right," Nancy added.
Without waiting for her response, Charles took out his phone and dialed a number.
"Yes, Mr. Fu. I'll bring my people there immediately. My sanatorium is the best one in this city, and I'm aware you already know that," said the man on the other line of the phone.
All Charles needed was the man's reassurance before he hung up the phone and turned to look at Nancy. "I called the new sanatorium, and their staff will arrive in twenty minutes. Let's help Auntie tidy up," he informed formally.
He was, indeed, a man of decision and action, who would always do things promptly.
It took him only one minute to solve her problem!
"Thank you so much!" Nancy expressed with her palms crossed as if he was some kind of saint.
"No need to be so thankful. It was just a small thing." The slight smirk on Charles' lips exposed how much he enjoyed her gratitude, although he was trying hard not to show it.
"The money... Ahm...the money..." With her arm pressed tightly against her wheelchair, Jade began to spoke to express her refusal.
Charles immediately knew what she was referring to. The old woman was worried that her daughter would not be able to afford the sanatorium's cost.
So, in a gentle voice, he replied, "I invested in that sanatorium. It's free for you, auntie."
"That's so kind of you. But..."
Nancy was quick enough to refuse, obviously hating to owe anyone. However, it seemed that Charles would consider otherwise. His hardened face exhibited how firm he was with his decision.
"Haven't I told you that you can take care of my child? It's all offset. Consider that as your payment for this." As a shrewd man, Charles wouldn't let his woman feel she was owing him. He just wanted to use Bobby as a bait to keep her with him. Then, when the right time kicked in, he'd make a move to make her fall in love with him and eventually make her his wife.
Love wouldn't just sprout in a snap; it needed to be gently taken care of to grow.
"All right," Nancy finally agreed in a weak voice, knowing that she couldn't find any way around this bargain.
Then, after a while, the director of the new sanatorium finally arrived with his staff to pick up Jade.
So, without hesitating, Nancy hurried to pack her mother's stuff and accompanied her to the sanatorium.
When they arrived, it was only then that Nancy realized that Charles had arranged a VIP room for Jade. It was already a big help that he contacted this place, but to prepare a very convenient and comfortable room for her mother was out of the question.
More than that, a professional care worker would cook, wash clothes, chat, and keep her mother's company. And although she was pretty embarrassed about it, Nancy couldn't deny that she was put at ease.
And after making sure her mother was fully set and having dinner, Nancy bid her goodbye and left with Charles.
"Would you like to watch a movie?" Charles suddenly asked on their way out.
"No, thanks. Let's just go home," she replied with a distant tone. After a thorough search on the internet, Nancy discovered some information about him, especially about his dating life. Apparently, he was an indifferent man who would never date a woman, let alone get close to one.
He was just a workaholic and busy businessman, so Nancy didn't think he was interested in love affairs.
Besides, she'd rather have her eyes glued on his well-sculpted handsome face than some cinema screen.
And with that thought on her head, Nancy stole a glimpse on his face while smiling subtly.
To be honest, in her eyes, Charles' face was more interesting than any other movie.
"Okay, I'll drive you home,"
he uttered before roaring the engine to life as a satisfied grin crept on his lips.
Was this what love really felt like? Just like how they described it in movies and novels? He was so smitten with the woman in his passenger seat, and he couldn't deny it any longer.
Right then, while his eyes were fixed on the road, Charles' phone suddenly rang.
It was a call from Jay.
"What's up?" he asked right after picking it up.
"Hey, Charles! What's with the question? Can't I call you for nothing?" Jay chuckled on the other line and continued with a mournful tone, "I've done what you asked me to do with Hiram. Now, it's only a matter of time for you to take over Ning's family's hospital. Why can't you praise me with such good work? Are you really my friend?"
Although he sounded as if he was sulking, Jay really called him just because he was so bored.
Doris had bought a lot of food, and she was busy cooking in the kitchen. So Jay called him to invite him for dinner if he had nothing else to do.
"Are you lonely?" Charles asked without any sugarcoat, much to Jay's laughter.
"You know I live in a villa in the southern suburbs. So it's that a yes?"
"We have already eaten," shortly answered Charles while his left hand managed the stirring wheel.
"Don't do that. You know I'm lonely, but why are you so heartless?" Jay complained in an aggrieved tone, and Charles could almost imagine the grimace on the former's face.
"Alright, alright. I'll think about it," he uttered with a sigh before hanging up the phone.
After the beep tone, Jay was left staring at his phone with his mouth agape. "What does he mean? Why does he have to think about it? What the hell is going on with him?" Jay could only wonder, thinking about the last words Charles uttered.
"It seems that Jay is sick. Shall we go and see him?" In any case, Charles didn't want to hide his relationship with Nancy to the public. After all, it was just Jay, his best friend of all people!
Meanwhile, Nancy felt pressured to agree, although she was really looking forward to going home. So instead of refusing, she said, "Okay."
And with that response, Charles stepped on the gas and stopped on the way to the villa to buy a bouquet of flowers and a basket of fruits.
Doris had been busy in the kitchen and didn't hear the car in the courtyard at all.
"Why would you live here of all places?" Charles immediately asked as soon as he got out of the car.
Although it wasn't exactly in the wild, it was still pretty remote and different from the downtown.
Moreover, Jay would never live far from a flock of women, and this area was not really populated.
"Charles, come upstairs!" Jay invited excitedly from the second floor.
Charles and Nancy, hand in hand, went upstairs.
Doris had thought if it was only Charles who would be coming, there was no need for her to hide.
But, upon catching sight of Nancy, she panicked and almost slipped in the kitchen.
Without thinking of the food on the stove, she rushed to the living room, grabbed her clothes, changed her shoes, and prepared to leave.
With heavy breathing, she reached for the door only to be stunned as her palm brushed against the cold knob.
She twitched the knob, but the door wouldn't budge. It was locked!
'Damn it!' she silently cursed. Would she be able to give a convincing explanation or excuse if she was seen living with Jay?
Would their relationship be exposed?
'I can't think straight!' Doris panicked even more.
So, in the middle of her dread, she hid in a guest room.
Since Jay couldn't walk, she would pretend that she vanished.
But anyway, she would just wait for Nancy and Charles to leave before coming out.
Well, at least that was what she thought, but apparently, Jay was thinking otherwise.
"Oh, here comes my sister-in-law. I'm so sorry that I can't welcome you in person," Jay uttered as the two walked closer.
The broad grin on his lips showcased how much he loved teasing the two.
"Stop joking around, Mr. Fang." Nancy's voice was indifferent. She was obviously aloof with the guy and only talked to him for Charles' sake.
"Okay. I call you Miss Ning instead? Oh, but it's not as good as calling you sister-in-law. Anyway, how about we have a drink together?" Jay invited as the grin never left his lips.
"We already had some food. You can drink with Mr. Fu," Nancy refused softly.
"Sounds good enough. You two can accompany us while we drink." Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.
What?
'Who else is here?' Nancy and Charles glanced at each other with slightly furrowed brows.
As they stared at each other confused, Jay shouted loudly, "Doris, is dinner ready? I'm gonna have a drink with Charles!"