Chapter 40 Can't There Be A Surprise?

"Your flight tickets have been booked. It's tomorrow. Pack up tonight, and I'll pick you up in the morning," Antonio explained to Evelyn as part of his routine.

"We have a shoot on Saturday and Sunday for an established gaming company planning to enter the domestic market. They've chosen us as their spokesperson. There are two versions of the promotional video, so it will take two days to finish."

After a while, he remembered something else. "I almost forgot. After the shoot, they're having a party. I heard it will be very special. There will be many elite figures from the French business world and a few celebrities attending. It's a great opportunity, so you can't refuse."

Evelyn was still thinking about how to get William's address from him, so she didn't pay much attention to what Antonio was saying. She just nodded and said there was no problem.

Antonio noticed that she had been cooperative lately and didn't pay it much mind. As long as she cooperated, everything else was just minor issues.

After dinner with Vivian, she left a note with only a few lines written on it.

Vivian threw a list of the things she wanted Evelyn to bring back from France. "I'm not a personal shopper. I'm really busy this time."

"Busy with what? Busy meeting William? I knew you prioritize romance over friendship. I really misjudged you," Vivian sneered at Evelyn's behavior.

Seeing Vivian's expression, Evelyn held back her laughter. "I'm leaving, so you can have the place all to yourself with someone..."

"What did you say?!"

"No need to explain, I understand it all." Evelyn noticed that Vivian really had nothing else to say. "Alright, I'll bring you a gift, but as for the items on your list, I'll ask Antonio to help you buy them."

Throughout the years of dealing with Evelyn, Vivian had certainly developed her own set of tactics to handle Evelyn's various emotions. It's a pity William didn't know how to please her, otherwise she would've gladly taught him.

Evelyn, of course, was unaware of Vivian's thoughts. She simply wanted to quickly calm Vivian down so she could rush to William's address.

Realizing Evelyn's ulterior motives, Vivian no longer insisted and left Evelyn's house. It was already dark, but she calmly walked back along the road. There should still be a bus since there was a bus stop near the door, so there was no need to rush.

Lately, Vivian had run into Charles too frequently, and she actually bumped into him at the entrance again.

Vivian quickly wrapped her scarf tighter, leaving only her eyes exposed. But when she walked past him, she was stopped. "Where are you going so late?"

Vivian revealed her whole face and frowned. "What's the matter?"

"It's too late, and it's so dark. Let me take you back," Charles said, blatantly lying despite knowing it was only a little after seven.

"No need, it's too much trouble for you. Really, no need," Vivian repeatedly declined.

"It's not safe. Let's go."

Vivian sighed silently. "It's only unsafe when I'm with you," she thought, but she didn't say anything and could only smile.

The two of them got on the bus, and it's hard to imagine a scene where Charles, like this, sat on a bus. There weren't many people at night, and the two of them sat in the back. The temperature in the bus wasn't too high, and Vivian kept rubbing her hands to keep warm.

Vivian's feet were freezing, but Charles seemed perfectly fine, sitting there and glancing around. As expected, he had never taken a bus before.

"You haven't even taken a bus before. We really aren't from the same social class," Vivian murmured from inside her scarf.

Charles turned to look at her. "It's alright, I'll just have to take the bus with you more often in the future."

That gaze reminded Vivian of that night. Now it's impossible not to think about it. Vivian could only blush and bury herself in her scarf.

"You're crazy." It wasn't a question, nor an exclamation. It was a statement with certainty.

Charles couldn't help but laugh on the side.

Vivian was even more infuriated and ignored him. She got off the bus and directly handed him two dollars, saying, "Here, take the bus on the opposite side to go back! I'm home now, goodbye! Take care, no need to see me off." After speaking, she turned around and ignored him.

Charles approached her and said, "You took me on this bus experience, and I want to repay you, so of course, I have to send you home."

Unable to hold back any longer, Vivian turned to face him. She stared into his eyes seriously and asked, "What exactly do you want, Charles?"

"I want to pursue you. I have failed miserably, and you still don't know until now." Charles stared back at her.

Vivian felt like she had been struck by lightning, frozen in place and unable to take a step. Charles persevered and directly held her shoulder, half squatting down, looking into Vivian's eyes with utmost seriousness. "That night, I was very sober and grateful. I hope you can understand this. Can you?"

Charles saw that she was still in a daze, unable to believe it. He had to hold her hand in his palm and lead her step by step.

"But, but, you like Evelyn, not me. I'm not Evelyn," Vivian said with a choked voice. After hearing this, Charles was speechless. He thought he had expressed himself clearly, but this silly girl still didn't understand.

"Of course, I know you're not Evelyn. If you had just half of her intelligence, I wouldn't need to say these things here." Vivian was furious, feeling a severe blow to her self-esteem.

She forcefully pulled her hand away from Charles and said, "I'm stupid, and you're so smart. So don't talk to me." After saying all these words, she cried, broke free from him, and ran away.

Now Charles had nothing to say. He hesitated for a moment, then helplessly chased after her. Otherwise, this matter would never be resolved.

He held the elevator door that was about to close and walked in, breathing heavily. Vivian had stopped crying by now, but her eyes were still red, and she didn't want to look at him.

The numbers slowly increased, and when they got out of the elevator, Vivian didn't even glance at him and went straight into her apartment. Just as the door was about to close, Charles swiftly entered.

"What are you doing?!" Vivian glared at him.

Charles pulled her into his embrace. Vivian immediately thought of the previous accident. If she were to fall in the same place again, she would truly be foolish.

She lifted her foot to kick him, but Charles was prepared. He immediately reacted and blocked her leg.

In this way, Vivian was held tightly by him, only able to stare at him with her eyes. Charles looked at her with a bright smile, and this was the first time Vivian had seen his smiling face up close. She couldn't react for a moment.

Charles finally understood that this silly little girl could only resort to soft tactics. Using his own face to deal with her was more effective than anything else.

"Can't you listen to my explanation seriously? I didn't take you for Evelyn. Do you understand what I'm saying?" Charles stared at Vivian and was so close to her that her face quickly turned red. "Let go of me!" she exclaimed.

"Do you understand my meaning now? Answer me first."

"Let go!" Vivian felt utterly embarrassed.

Charles leaned closer. "Answer my question."

"Fine, I understand. Is it over now? Let go!" Vivian managed to break free from Charles's grasp. Her mind was a mess now, with no idea what he wanted to do or what she wanted to do.

It just felt so unreal, incredibly unreal. From the first time she saw him until now, the whole journey seemed too fast. It truly felt like a dream.

Charles looked at Vivian standing blankly in the living room and didn't know if he should cry or laugh.

Evelyn dialed William's phone number. Fortunately, he usually listened to Evelyn, so he just provided her with the address. He didn't think that Evelyn would go to France to find him. They happily hung up in the end.

Suddenly, Evelyn really wanted to see someone's surprised expression, so she couldn't help but look forward to this trip to France.

But the more she thought about it, the more excited she became. She took out her mobile phone and checked the flights. Surprisingly, there were flights available.

In an instant, she wondered if she should depart now. When there is a desire to do something in her heart, it seems like everything becomes an excuse to push herself forward.

Evelyn actually booked the flight, packed her already prepared luggage, and took a taxi to the airport. When she sat alone in the airport lounge, she still felt a bit dazed. How did she actually decide like this and put it into action?

Evelyn glanced at the time. The plane took off at 8:30, which meant it would be around 2:30 in the afternoon on the other side. After twelve hours, it would be early morning there. She suddenly felt that she must have gone crazy, otherwise why would she behave so recklessly?

Standing outside the hotel with her luggage, she still felt a bit surreal. She rang the bell, but nobody came to answer for a long time. She had to ring it again and again.

Finally, William, half-asleep and wearing pajamas, opened the door. He looked at Evelyn in front of him and was completely dumbfounded.

He blinked several times to confirm. Evelyn had to speak up, "Are you not letting me in? Is there someone inside?" She even leaned inside to take a look.

William, with an expressionless face, stepped aside to let her in. Evelyn felt a little sad about his indifferent reaction. After traveling so far, she ended up with just this.

However, all the speculation and anxiety along the way finally faded away at this moment. Evelyn didn't know why she lacked confidence in him like this. Perhaps, complete and wholehearted trust simply didn't exist in love. It's too difficult to truly believe without reservation when you care too much.

William carried Evelyn's luggage, and they walked into the hotel room together.

Evelyn's suitcase was placed by the entrance, and the door closed. While Evelyn was still admiring the hotel's arrangement, William embraced her tightly, burying his face in her shoulder and chuckled softly.

The smile on his face grew more and more evident, and Evelyn asked him, "What's making you so happy?"

Without a word, William lifted her up and kissed her passionately and eagerly.

Hooking her arms around his neck, Evelyn seemed to have caught his infectious joy and couldn't help but laugh along. The two of them spent the night together, their bodies pressed against each other, enveloped in laughter and the intensifying warmth of their smiles.