The Runaway Groom

If she did, Isaac would really get upset with her this time!

"Be safe!" Irene sighed exasperatedly but said nothing else.

After hanging up, she stared at her door for a long while—she had no idea when it started, but Lulu and Zachary's lives had become two parallel lines, having no chance of intersecting.

She sighed again.

On the other end, Lulu received a friend request from Zachary—he probably added her because he could not reach her the first time. [Hello, I'm Stan's friend and I heard you're a child care worker. Are you still in the profession at the moment?] Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

[Yes.]

Lulu replied almost immediately.

[May I see your certification?]

Zachary was prudent—but anyone else would be if their child were involved!

Lulu's heart skipped a beat, but it was fortunate that she already used a new photo for her certificate. She might be in trouble if she did not! [Okay. Please wait a moment—I will take a photo right now!]

After a brief wait, Lulu sent him the photo, and Zachary was quiet while he stared at the date it was issued.

[I see you've had years of experience.]

Despite what he typed, he was staring at the photo with disappointment.

He suspected the woman to be Lulu. But if it was her, the date the certificate was issued should be much more recent... unless it was fake.

[Yes, I have experience with this line of work abroad. I'll take good care of your child if you're willing to entrust her with me...]

Lulu paused, deleting the draft after a moment of hesitation.

[Sir, I heard about your situation from my cousin, but please note that I had been paid generously abroad. As such, I might not necessarily accept your offer, and I'd like to discuss my wages with you beforehand.]

This was more like a normal person's response. After all, would it not be weird if she did not want money?!

[Your wages? As long as you take good care of my child, I can pay you twice what they pay you abroad!]

Zachary was certainly quick on his feet, and the price was tempting. Even so, Lulu had to play hard to get, so as to not arouse suspicion!

[I see... Apologies, but can you tell me about certain matters to take notice too? I'm not too familiar with how things work in Zidonia.] Zachary did not reply for a long while, and when Lulu was starting to get a little impatient, he replied: [Why don't we meet up tomorrow?] Lulu's heart was left pounding by those words.

Meeting up...

She studied her face in the mirror and eventually texted back: [Sure!] [Let's meet at noon at a cafe near my office. I'll send you the address tomorrow morning.]

"Okay."

Neither of them said more after that, though Lulu did not sleep well that night, worried that Zachary saw through her.

However, she had nothing to fear when her face was completely different!

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes—anything could wait until tomorrow.

As a mother, she would take good care of her child, come hell or high water!

When the sun rose the next morning, Zachary sent Lulu the address as agreed.