Araceli POV
I hurriedly pressed the off button. No matter what, the screen was on...
The picture kept showing up on the screen...
I felt so embarrassed that my face turned blushing red.
"Ms. Chancey, I didn't expect you to have such a unique way of relaxing."
A low, dull voice came from above my head.
As soon as I looked up, I met a pair of deep eyes.
My heart couldn't help but miss a beat.
I withdrew my gaze and said calmly, "Last time my company's website was attacked. I guess it was a residual virus that wasn't cleaned up."
I coughed twice, unplugged without hesitation, and stopped looking at him.
"Ms. Chancey, it's okay. I understand."
Raphael's voice contained a hint of teasing.
His body leaned forward...
I jumped.
"What are you doing?"
"Ms. Chancey, don't think too much. I'm just trying to help. Or, Ms. Chancey, do you want that picture to be on your computer screen all the time?"
My face flushed again.
I got up in a hurry and stood aside.
Raphael plugged the computer in and pressed his long fingers on the keyboard. Then the screen returned to normal. He withdrew his fingers and stared at my scarlet face.
I don't know why, but I always felt something familiar about his appearance.
It was as if I had seen it somewhere...
He frowned slightly and pursed his lips. To my surprise, he asked, "Ms. Chancey, did we meet a few years ago?"
I was about to speak when I caught a familiar scent.
The smell jolted my memory back to five years ago.
The night of my coming-of-age ceremony, the man who kept saying he loved me, smelled like this...
My eyes snapped open and I looked into Raphael's eyes...
"Buzz..."
The phone vibrated.
I hurriedly felt my phone in my pocket and realized it wasn't my phone that was vibrating.
Raphael stood up straight, took a few steps to the side, and put the phone through.
He spoke to the person on the other end of the line and hung up.
All I heard him say was that he was with me. It seemed that the person who called was a trusted friend of his.
He came over and said, "Bring your laptop. I'll take you somewhere."
I frowned. "Where?"
I was a little reluctant. However, I knocked on Krish's room door and explained the matter to him.
"Mummy, I will take care of Valeria," Krish smiled, "Remember to come back early."
Valeria was already asleep. Books about painting were scattered on the bed.
I stroked Krish's heads, changed my clothes, and followed Raphael out.
...
It was 9:00 p.m. when I followed Raphael to the pier.
Twilight was falling, and the lights on the sea were coming on one by one. The lights fell on the sea, like a galaxy in the universe. In the harbor, hundreds of sailboats and yachts were moored. The sails were properly girded on the masts.
Across the harbor, on the hill, a white building was located on the hill. The blue sea was reflected in the large floor-to-ceiling windows. The brilliant crystal chandeliers were lit up. From a distance, it looked like a golden flower floating on the sea.
A huge cruise ship was parked on the pier. Guests in tuxedos walked around with champagne in hand, laughing and talking.
I frowned.
"Mr. Lancaster, didn't you say you brought me here to talk about the project?"
"Yes, I brought you here to see Royce. Follow me."
Raphael stepped away and walked onto the cruise ship.
I faintly stared.
I remembered that he was Raphael's best friend.
I lowered my head and walked forward. Raphael turned around and reached out, trying to give me a hand.
Instead of taking his hand, I lifted my skirt up, lifted my legs, and got on the cruise ship.
Raphael raised an eyebrow. "Ms. chancey, next time, you can hold my hand."
I smiled, "Maybe."
Raphael gave me a look and didn't say anything else.
He and I walked onto the deck and instantly caught everyone's eye.
"Ms. Chancey, you're the most beautiful woman here today."
Royce held his red wine glass and winked at me deliberately. "Ms. Chancey, did you and Raphael wear a couple's outfit?"
I squeezed out a smile, "Mr. Perton, we haven't seen each other for a long time. Is this your party?"
Royce nodded his head.
Around me, countless eyes stared at me, interspersed with small murmurs...
"Mr. Lancaster is really getting more and more handsome. I really don't know which New York family's daughter would be so lucky to marry him..."
"Don't fantasize. Don't you see Araceli? Mr. Lancaster must be in love with her."
"I'm so disappointed. I didn't think Mr. Lancaster was as vulgar as other men."
"Me too..."
Hearing these words, Royce laughed out loud.
Raphael's face was a little gloomy.
He said coldly, "Royce, what floor is the private room on?"
Royce held up his glass and said, "The second floor. Let's go to the private room and talk."
As soon as I entered the private room, I turned on my computer. "Mr. Lancaster, Mr. Perton, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask me..."
Royce smiled, "It's my cruise party today. Araceli, are you sure you want to talk about work here? It's too boring."
I give him a cold look. "Mr. Perton, when do you think it would be a good time to talk about this project?"
"Tomorrow. I'll come to your office and have a nice chat with you. Let's just have fun together tonight. It's rare to have such a great opportunity."
I thought about it and closed my laptop.
"Okay, I'll see you at my office tomorrow. Mr. Lancaster, Mr. Perton, sorry, I'll leave now."
Royce hurriedly said, "Ms. Chancey, since you're here, let's finish talking before we leave. Raphael and I are still not sure exactly how far this project has progressed."
Raphael glanced at Royce with cold eyes.
Royce rubbed his nose. "Araceli, please demonstrate the program for us..."
I sat down and re-tapped the system, but before I could say a few words, Raphael's phone vibrated.
He glanced at the caller ID. "Excuse me, I have to go out and take a call."
He pulled open the door to the room and walked out.
"Araceli, let's continue later when Raphael is done talking on the phone." Royce leaned back onto the couch, the light in his eyes flickering. "Ms. Chancey, are you thirsty? Would you like something to drink?"
I did think my throat was a little dry. It was so stuffy in this room, and the cruise ship was a little shaky, so I was a little dizzy.
I grabbed a glass of champagne from the table and downed it in one gulp.
Royce looked at me and smiled.
The cold champagne in my throat finally made me feel better.
Raphael came in after answering the phone, so I started to continue the demo program.
"Khem..."
I felt a little uncomfortable in my throat and took another sip of wine.
After I spoke a few more words, I felt a sudden hotness in my body.