Chapter 196 Martin's Love Messages, Hilariously Out of Touch
Thinking she had read it wrong, Patricia pulled over to the side of the road to read the message again, word for word.
‘Your smile is like a stream of clear spring, washing sweetness over my heart, and touching my soul into nirvana. Loving you is my greatest right of choice, an unchanging declaration forever.’
‘Weather forecast: Today will be partially filled with thoughts of you, increasing to a heavy downpour by afternoon. Due to this low mood front, expect a five-degree drop in spirits, continuing until I see you again.’
‘To have loved is to know the weight of affection, to have been drunk is to understand the strength of wine. Fate doesn't linger, like a spring breeze it comes and goes, leaving only sorrow in my heart, unknown with whom to share, yet my heart remains steadfast!’
‘Every morning when I see the sunshine, I wish to see you.’
She hadn't read it wrong. It really was a love message. And not just any love message, but the kind that could make you feel so queasy, and nauseated, utterly insincere, the kind you'd find with a quick internet search.
Patricia felt a chill run down her spine, goosebumps all over. Had Martin sent this by mistake?
Confused, she sent back a ‘?’.
As soon as the WhatsApp notification sounded, Martin eagerly checked his phone, only to see a question mark.
Puzzled, he asked Randy, "She just sent back a question mark, what does that mean?"
Randy's eyes lit up with excitement, "Don’t you get it? It means your love message hit the mark. Mommy must be so thrilled, that she wants to make sure you're serious."
"Really?" Martin asked naively. Something didn't seem right to him.
Randy nodded vigorously, "Of course! I know Mommy, and that's definitely what she's thinking. She's probably hiding somewhere, giggling to herself right now! Don't reply to her, just keep sending them tonight, keep the surprises coming."
"Really?" Martin asked again, his soul searching for truth.
Randy nodded forcefully, swearing his assurance, "I swear to you, I'm telling the truth. I'm your son, would I lead you astray? Do you want to win Mommy back or not?"
Seeing Randy so earnest, Martin was convinced by his words.
Patricia waited for a while but received no reply from Martin. She was even more convinced that he must have accidentally sent some random internet snippet and didn't think much of it, continuing her drive to the hotel.
By the time she reached the hotel, it was already past one o'clock. When she had left earlier, Hunter gave her a room card for convenient access. Patricia didn't knock; she just used the card and went straight in. the place was silent again.
Patricia thought, Hunter must be feeling unwell, and was resting in the bedroom. She placed her bag and jacket on the couch and tiptoed to the bedroom door, gently opening it to check on Hunter's condition.
Unexpectedly, Hunter was not asleep but sitting forlornly on the edge of the bed, his head bowed and his entire being shrouded in a veil of loneliness. As though he was the only person left in the whole world. A palpable and desperate isolation emanated from his very core.
Patricia's heart immediately tightened. Hearing movement at the door, he slowly lifted his head. On seeing Patricia, those lifeless eyes that had not a speck of light in them seemed to glimpse hope, gradually brightening and regaining a flicker of life.
"You..."
Patricia intended to ask what was wrong, but before she could finish her sentence, Hunter suddenly pounced forward, wrapping her tightly in his embrace. His hands kept tightening their grip, and he trembled slightly, as if trying to meld her into his very soul.
"You came, I thought you wouldn't show up!"
So, was that expression he showed earlier because he thought she wouldn't come? Realizing this possibility, the pain in Patricia's heart intensified, and she gently patted his back to comfort him.
"I said I wouldn't stand you up, and I won't. I got caught up this morning and lost track of time. I'm sorry for worrying you."
Hunter shook his head slightly: "As long as you came, that's all that matters. You are now the only person I trust. If even you left me, then I'd truly be all alone, with nothing left."
Patricia felt a heavy ache in her chest. To think that the president of a corporation, had no family members worth trusting. It was true, the higher one stands, the lonelier the heart becomes.
"We've been childhood friends. You've cherished and helped me since we were young, Hunter. Without you, there would be no me today. How could I possibly leave you?"
Hunter stiffened noticeably. "If, and I'm just saying if, I wasn’t your Hunter, would you leave me then?"
Patricia didn’t dwell on his words, but pushed him away slightly, and placed her hand on his forehead, "How could you not be my Hunter? You must be delirious from the fever!"
Hunter gazed deeply into her smiling face, strained a smile that was uglier than a cry. "Yes! I must be delirious to be spouting nonsense like this!"
Patricia shook her head with a smile, "It's getting late. I'll go cook something for you. You should rest up; it won't take long!"
"Okay!" Hunter obediently nodded.
After Patricia left, he seemed to deflate, slowly sitting on the edge of the bed, while massaging his temples, his face full of frustration. What had gotten into him just now?
He almost let his true feelings slip out. Fortunately, Patricia was naive and didn't suspect a thing. Otherwise, the plans he had carefully laid out, for so long, would have been in jeopardy.
Since his feigned illness, he had noticed that many things were starting to slip beyond his control.
Patricia prepared a few simple dishes. After lunch, she brought out some anti-inflammatory and cold medicines for Hunter to take, and then she personally changed his dressings.
Thanks to her meticulous care through the night, the wound had finally started to heal, forming a thin scab. Patricia was very gentle when applying the disinfectant and medicine, afraid to break the fragile crust.
Once everything was taken care of, Patricia got ready to leave. Hunter held onto her wrist, reluctant to let go, "Would you stay with me for a bit longer?"
"I..." Patricia was about to refuse. It was then that the phone on the nightstand rang. Hunter, not wanting to avoid Patricia, answered the call, turning on the speakerphone. As soon as the call connected, a flurry of scolding burst forth from the other end.
“You little bastard, what do you think you are doing? How dare you deprive William of the position of general manager? He’s your brother-in-law, no matter what he’s done, you can’t do this to him; you have no right.”
Reinstate his position immediately, or I won’t be gentle with you. I have the power to put you in the chairman’s seat, just as I can pull you down from it."
Patricia didn't know this person, but from the conversation, she could guess that this was Davis, the mother who abused Hunter every day. She was arrogant and utterly dismissive of Hunter.
Hunter chuckled awkwardly, quickly turned off the speaker, covered the mouthpiece, and said to Patricia, "Sorry about this. If you've got things to do, go ahead; I need to take this call."
With that, he wrapped himself in a robe and went to the balcony. Looking at his lonely figure against the cold wind, Patricia suddenly felt a pang of heartache for him. He was still unwell, yet instead of concern and sympathy, he was met with harsh scolding and accusations.
She understood all too well, a family without warmth could be suffocating. Their shared experiences made it hard for her to leave him alone, so she decided to stay and keep him company.
She knew, at times like this, even without words of comfort or elaborate sympathies, her quiet presence was enough. Because she had been through the same ordeal. And back then, it was Hunter who had been there for her. He had accompanied her.
Now it was her turn to accompany him.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
