"Christine, I'm fine. I'm just a little tired. Can I take the day off?" Gloria said in a restrained tone.
Christine was glad. She agreed at once and said, "Sure. I'm glad you finally realize that you need to rest. Go and get some rest today. Don't worry about things here."
After that, Christine hung up the phone.
Gloria stood up. She went to the small wooden table by the bedroom window, sat down, pulled the drawer slowly, and took out a notebook.
She had no hobbies or extracurricular activities, and the notebook had become her only pastime, accompanying her current boring life.
She had not written a diary for a long time. The latest entry was, "After three years, I saw him again."
There was no redundant description or any description of her mood. It was simply a statement.
She opened the notebook, and there was a ballpoint pen in it.
Gloria picked up her pen and wrote slowly, "Derrick showed up out of the blue and asked me again to be his mate. I always thought that the first time he asked me was just a whim. Then, I didn't see him after that.
"Yet he appeared in front of me again today and asked me the same question. I wanted to treat it as a joke. However, Derrick didn't think so. He looked serious and determined.
"He said that he was serious about it. I could tell from his eyes that he was not lying. He told me I didn't need to do anything. He would come to me, make me happy, and not let me cry ever again. Who doesn't want happiness?
"For a moment, I wanted to say yes. Otherwise, I wouldn't have suddenly asked him what he thought of me.
"I wouldn't have asked the question if I hadn't been tempted at the time. What I want isn't Derrick, but the 'happiness' he mentioned. I want to see how wrong he thought of me. He said I was strong and brave, but that wasn't me.
"I am selfish. I could have told him the truth. I could have shown him how lowly, humble, and embarrassing I was.
"However, the moment I wanted to tell him the truth, I saw sincerity in his eyes. The way he looked at me was so determined and focused.
"At that precise moment, I had second thoughts. I suddenly didn't want him to find out how hideous I was.
"I know I won't love him because I am dead inside. However, I'm scared. I am worried that he might look at me with the same disdain as everyone else.
"He said to me, 'If you don't give it a try, how can you taste the feeling of happiness?'
"I just know it! I will never be happy!
"I don't think I should see him again. I don't think he'll show up in front of me again anyway.
"What I need the most now is a backwater life. When he gets tired of all this, it'll be time for me to leave."
Gloria closed the notebook, stood up, and opened the window. She let the rain fall into the room now and then.
The cold rain made her shiver. She folded her arms, and her mind was clearer than ever.
The next day, when Gloria woke up, she felt much calmer. After she washed up, she put on her clothes and left the dormitory.
When she walked out of the dormitory building, she saw a motorcycle parked outside.
Derrick sat on the motorcycle. He looked at Gloria with a happy smile and said, "Stop standing there. Come here and get on."
Gloria was stunned. She had never met a man like Derrick.
She turned him down and fled away in such a sorry state yesterday, yet today, Derrick still waited for her at her dormitory building while wearing the same clothes from yesterday.
"Why are you here again?" Gloria couldn't help but ask.
A brilliant smile appeared on Derrick's face. He said, "Why can't I be here?"
Derrick was tall. He looked very handsome with one foot on the ground and the other on the footboard.
He reached out his arm, grabbed Gloria to his side, and pulled her to the back of his motorcycle.
Gloria tried to stand up as soon as she was forced to sit down, but Derrick stopped her.
Derrick said, "Don't move. If you fall, don't pin it on me."
After he finished speaking, he started the motorcycle. The motorcycle started to move, and Gloria, who was about to stand up, slumped down in the back seat. She unconsciously reached out and grabbed Derrick tightly in front of her.
Sensing that Gloria was clutching his clothes with her hands, Derrick was a bit complacent.
"I don't need you to pick me up. I can walk," said Gloria.
"You need it because I say so," said Derrick firmly.
"Mr. Fisher, didn't we clear things up yesterday?" she said.
Derrick pretended that he didn't understand what she was talking about and said, "What did we talk about yesterday? I don't know what you're talking about."
Gloria was dumbfounded and thought, 'Why is he so different from others? I can't have a normal conversation with him at all.'
"Do you know what I'm going to do?" Gloria asked.
"Let's go have lunch. I know a place with great food." Derrick took the liberty to make the arrangements for Gloria.
Feeling helpless, Gloria could only say, "I don't like riding on a motorcycle."
He said, "Stop lying. Gloria, I know this has something to do with Patrick again. I can tell from your eyes."
Gloria didn't know how to respond.
Derrick continued, "It's fine if you don't accept me now, Gloria. I'm telling you. I won't give up."
"Mr. Fisher, you are just my customer..."
Gloria was interrupted by Derrick. He snorted, "I know what you are going to say. Think of me as a customer if that's what you want. Fine by me."
Maybe Derrick was intentional, or maybe he wasn't. Anyway, he was driving at a high speed. Gloria shuddered at the thought of jumping off.
About fifteen minutes later, Derrick turned his motorcycle left and led her down a desolate street.
Gloria hurriedly asked, "Where exactly are you taking me?"
"We'll be there soon," he said in a soft voice.