Chapter 25 You Have Someone You Like
Katniss checked the clock; it was already two in the afternoon. She shrugged and said, "Nah, I'm not really hungry. Let's skip lunch. But we gotta talk. We're not exactly a match, but if you're cool with it, we can be friends."
George seemed to mull something over and then asked, "You got someone you like?"
Katniss was caught off guard, and before she could respond, George went on, "If you do, why not tell your folks and stop them from setting you up on these blind dates?"
His tone made it sound like he thought Katniss was playing him, wasting his time and feelings.
Katniss was at a loss for words. After a moment, she said, "Whether I like someone or not has nothing to do with us not being a fit. Your mom should know about my situation. I have a sick mom who needs a lot of money for treatment. Besides being good at my studies, I don't have much else going for me, and I'm older than you. With your setup, you can find someone better."
"My mom's really into you," George said, catching Katniss off guard so much she almost choked. When had George's mom ever met her?
Seeing her confusion, George quickly explained, "Because you're the top assistant in the industry, my mom thinks I'm not serious about my career and needs someone to keep me in check. She believes you can manage me."
Katniss got it but was left speechless.
"If I can't win you over, my mom's gonna smash my gaming console. Let's just tell our parents we're seeing each other, but not really in a relationship. We'll get through this first, and then see how things go. What do you think?" George suggested.
Katniss wasn't feeling it and was about to say no when her phone rang. It was Sophia.
As soon as she picked up, Sophia's worried voice came through. "Katniss, are you coming back this afternoon? Did you meet the guy I told you about? You gotta seize this chance; he's the best match I've found for you."
Sophia's words were cautious but firm.
Actually, George was about the same age as Matilda, but Sophia introduced George, the best match, to Katniss because Katniss had been covering her medical expenses for years.
If Katniss didn't agree, Sophia would keep introducing other guys based on their conditions.
Thinking of this, Katniss had to consider George's proposal. "Mom, don't worry. We've already met. We need some time to get to know each other."
On the other end, Sophia was quiet for a few seconds before she burst out, "Awesome! You two have a good chat. I'll hang up now. You must be wiped from running around lately. Don't bother coming to the hospital tonight; I can handle it."
She gave a few more reassurances before hanging up.
Katniss glanced up and saw George in the driver's seat, sneaking a grin. She said, "Just so we're clear, we're just getting to know each other, not dating."
She didn't want to deepen the misunderstanding, making it harder to explain to Sophia later, and she also worried that George would feel pressured into taking the next steps.
George said, "Deal. Let's start as friends!"
Katniss chuckled and pushed his hand away. "Just drop me off at the next intersection."
"Wait, I haven't finished talking." George pulled out his phone, opened the game interface from that day, and pointed to the "North" game account. "Do you know this person?"
Katniss remembered the scene when George found out Tristan's original ID. "What do you want to do?"
"Can you introduce us? I really admire him. He's the reason I've kept playing the game. I've added him as a friend several times, but he never responded. Do you have his Facebook?" George's eyes were full of eagerness.
Rationally, Katniss didn't want George to have too much contact with Tristan, but she couldn't resist George's sincerity and gave him Tristan's Facebook.
George excitedly sent a friend request. "Let's go, I'll treat you to a big meal. From now on, you can mention my name at my family's resort and get in for free!"
Katniss was amused but still declined to have a meal with him. She got off at the next intersection and boarded a bus.
The afternoon sun was warm, shining through the bus window onto Katniss, filling her with warmth. The honking and various noises filled her ears, but they couldn't drown out the echo of the words Tristan had said to Bella.
Girls like Bella, who grew up being pampered, would continue to be cherished and live like a princess with Tristan.
Her chaotic life would eventually return to peace. She shouldn't have any expectations; thinking about these things only added to her sadness and sorrow.
Before getting off the bus, she took a long breath. Despite the lingering pain in her heart, her face had returned to normal. She got off the bus with her suitcase and walked a bit before entering her community.
As soon as she got home, she received a call from Matilda. It sounded a bit chaotic on her end. "Katniss, are you back in Velvet City today?"
"Yeah, I'm already home," Katniss said while putting down her luggage.
Matilda hesitated a bit and said, "Katniss, I found a job, but the place I'm staying at is too far from the company. I rented a spot closer, but I can't move all my stuff by myself."
"Send me the address, and I'll come to pick you up," Katniss said without a second thought.
After Matilda sent her location, Katniss didn't even have time to put down her suitcase before heading out the door again. She took the bus to Synergy Global Corporation to get her car, and by the time she arrived at Matilda's place, it was already an hour and a half later.
Matilda indeed had a ton of stuff. Besides clothes, she had a full set of kitchenware. She was a whiz in the kitchen and super frugal, never wanting to toss anything.
"Where are you staying?" After loading everything into the car, Katniss opened the navigation and asked Matilda.
Matilda mentioned the name of a mid-range apartment complex and said, "I'm sharing with two other girls. It's very safe."
Katniss knew the complex and knew it was secure. She entered the address and started driving. On the way, she chatted with Matilda, "Which company are you working for?"
"The Astor Corporation." Matilda glanced at Katniss, her voice suddenly much softer as she said, "I sent my resume to a bunch of places. The Astor Corporation offered the highest salary. I'm just a junior clerk and won't have any dealings with the Astor family."
Katniss raised an eyebrow, surprised that Matilda ended up at Bella's family company. She smiled and replied, "It's your choice where you work. Do your best. Newcomers in the workplace can easily be bullied, so be tactful."
Having been in the workforce for many years, Katniss had accumulated a lot of experience and had taught Matilda everything she could to help her avoid being mistreated.
When they arrived at Matilda's new place, it took several trips to move all her belongings.
Matilda's apartment was a three-bedroom, two-living room unit with moderate decor. Her room was the smallest but faced south and got plenty of sunlight, which was nice.
By the time Matilda had everything organized, it was already dark outside. She wanted to go out and buy groceries to cook dinner, but Katniss stopped her.
"Don't cook on your first day here. I'll treat you to dinner to celebrate your new job." Katniss grabbed her car keys and took Matilda out for dinner. Then they went to the supermarket to buy groceries and essentials. After dropping Matilda off, Katniss drove home alone.
In the dark room, a dim light flicked on, casting a lonely shadow of her figure. She spent a few minutes unpacking her clothes, took a shower, and went to bed. Even though Tristan hadn't been there for several days, she could still smell his scent on the bed, fresh and pleasant, continuously filling her nostrils.
She hugged the blanket but didn't sleep well, always feeling as if Tristan was there, holding her in his arms. When she woke up in the morning and saw she was alone, a part of her felt empty. As Katniss parked her car in Synergy Global Corporation's parking lot, she spotted Tristan's car. It was like they had this unspoken understanding; he didn't tell her not to come, and she didn't ask but came straight to the company.
She took the elevator to the top floor and immediately saw Bella, who was dressed a bit differently today.
Bella wore an over-the-knee pencil skirt, a white blouse, and a tailored vest, looking more mature than usual.
Seeing Katniss step out of the elevator, Bella waved to the other employees and quickly walked over to link arms with her. "Katniss, you're here!"
"Miss Astor," Katniss greeted respectfully, feeling a bit uncomfortable with Bella holding her arm.
Bella pouted and said, "I've told you not to be so formal. Just call me by my name, but you never do."
"It's not proper," Katniss smiled.
Bella blinked playfully and said, "It will be proper from now on. I have a surprise for you! Come with me."
She pulled Katniss past her workstation and headed straight to Tristan's office.
In the spacious office, the floor-to-ceiling windows made the room bright and airy. Tristan's tall figure was seated at the desk. Hearing someone enter, he instinctively looked up, his gaze lingering on Katniss for three seconds before he frowned and looked away.
"Tristan, Katniss is here!" Bella stopped in front of the desk, still holding Katniss's arm.
Katniss discreetly pulled her hand back and looked at Tristan. "Mr. Forbes."
Tristan didn't respond.
Bella thought he was still angry about Katniss booking them a single room and whispered to Katniss, "Ignore him. I brought you here because I have something to tell both of you."
Katniss frowned, puzzled as to what Bella could have to say to both her and Tristan.
Tristan also looked over with a questioning gaze, meeting Katniss's eyes for a few seconds before turning to Bella.
Bella's face suddenly turned red as she said, "I want to work at Synergy Global Corporation as Tristan's secretary, handling his tea and documents every day. What do you think?"
Her expectant gaze shifted between Tristan and Katniss. Tristan's eyes deepened, his brows furrowing slightly, but he said nothing.
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