Chapter 60 Just Because You've Got Some Money Doesn't Mean You Can Woo Me
Nicholas flashed a set of big, white teeth in a smile: "I can compensate."
Jessica looked at him coldly. She had met her share of fools who came from wealthy families and didn't see the need to be polite. She followed his lead and asked, "How much?"
"Just name your price." Nicholas still had that relaxed look about him, leaning against her car and said, "Money is no object. I'm really interested in you."
Jessica had seen this kind of scene all too often.
Especially abroad, where some brave foreigners, seeing her, a single mother with a child, tried to get close, take advantage of her, or even wanted to become Danielle's step-dad, were not few and far between, each more delusional than the last.
Abroad, things were more open, and folks were even more direct and rude. She could handle those kinds of situations cleanly and neatly, all the more so in her own country when faced with such a clueless young man.
Jessica glanced at him indifferently, "Then compensate the price of a new car. The same model as this one, roughly seven thousand dollars."
Nicholas smiled profoundly, leaning forward and getting close to her. "Fine, but I don't have a pen on me to sign a check. How about we go to your place to write it? The seven thousand dollars transfer won't be immediate; a check would be quicker, don't you agree?"
Jessica forced a laugh, picked up her cell phone, and pretended to reply to a message while swiftly opening the text messaging app. She sent a message to Gabriel: [In a few minutes, someone is coming home with me. Just pretend to be the man of the house to prove I'm married, thanks.]
After sending it, she didn't wait for Gabriel's consent and put her phone down, turning back to Nicholas with an innocent smile as if enticed by the lure of Money.
Her phone vibrated in her hand; she looked down.
Gabriel: [?]
There was no time to explain. She replied quickly: [I'll split the Money with you!]
Setting her phone down again, she said to the seemingly not-quite-right wealthy young gentleman, "Let's go."
Nicholas trailed after her, initially a few steps behind, appreciating her in silence. He acknowledged her good looks and intriguing personality, which he found both beautiful and fascinating.
Such a straightforward character was much more appealing than those who were coy and demure, pretending to be something they were not. At least she knew what she wanted, with clear intentions and no beating around the bush.
When they reached the sixth floor, Nicholas, while not out of breath, looked up in confusion and asked, "Which floor is your apartment on?"
"We're on the fifth," Jessica said, continuing to climb the stairs.
"Fifth? But we're on the sixth now, and you're still going up?"
"Oh, I've been airing out the comforter on the rooftop since we've had a stretch of sunny weather after all that rain. It just smells so much fresher after basking in the sun," Jessica explained, a habit she picked up from Caroline. She was particularly fond of that sun-kissed scent on her bedding, insisting on airing it out no matter how clean it was.
As they made their way up, she pointed to a small door on the seventh floor that led to the rooftop: "Since we're here, could you do me a favor and grab the comforter for me?"
Nicholas looked at her with a mix of surprise and exasperation.
It wasn't until Nicholas had good-naturedly fetched the comforter that Jessica finally strolled back to her front door.
Nicholas followed, the comforter thrown over his shoulder, messing up his otherwise impeccable hair. As the door opened, he hurried inside with the comforter.
"Just set it down here," Jessica directed, pointing to the sofa. "Have a seat, I'll grab a pen."
Nicholas, panting slightly, flung the comforter onto the sofa and gave Jessica, rummaging through a drawer seemingly for a pen, a disgruntled look. "I help you with your comforter, and you can't even offer me a glass of water before making me sign a check?"
Jessica paused, turned to look at him with his messy hair, and fought back a smile. "Alright, I'll get you a bottle of water."
But Nicholas felt tricked and wasn't ready to admit it quite yet. He slumped onto the sofa and grumbled, "No bottled water, I only drink freshly boiled water!"
Jessica raised an eyebrow. "You're not afraid it might be too hot?"
Nicholas didn't reply; they just shot her a threatening glare.
No boiling, no signing.
As Jessica moved toward the kitchen, she called out to the bedroom, "Okay, I'll get the water boiling!"
Nicholas gave her a confused look, "Why are you shouting?"
Before the words had settled, the main bedroom door swung open.
