Before Leon Sterling left, he drew a painting for her, capturing her shy expression from earlier when she was across from him, her brows knit together like a little girl, very cute.
Sasha Shaw looked at the final signature, joyfully asking, "If I ever fall on hard tis, can I sell this for money?"
Leon Sterling frowned, "Well, when that day cos, just bring this to , and I’ll take care of your als and lodging."
"Alright then." Sasha Shaw squinted, her eyes nearly disappearing in her smile, "In that case, I won’t see you off."
Leon Sterling nodded and headed towards the elevator.
Sasha Shaw looked at the empty entrance and still found the whole situation a bit surreal.
After their last goodbye, she thought she’d never see Leon Sterling again, even actively trying to forget him whenever he occasionally crossed her mind. She never expected him to suddenly reappear, with such a magical twist! She couldn’t help but peek her head out to check; he was indeed there, not a fignt of her imagination.
"What’s wrong?" Leon Sterling noticed her head poking out, a bit puzzled.
"Nothing, um, take care." Sasha Shaw felt her face heat up and quickly shut the door.
She settled onto the sofa, looking at the painting, and couldn’t help but grin foolishly. It felt like a token from a martial arts novel, representing a promise that would withstand the test of ti, even if the person was gone, would pass down to the next generation.
The more Sasha Shaw thought about it, the more distant it seed; at first, it felt romantic, but the more she pondered, it seed sowhat sacred.
"Tomorrow, I’ll buy a nice fra and get this mounted." She humd a tune, placed the painting in the room, and suddenly thought of calling Ruby Sullivan. But checking the ti, she set her phone down again. Since Ruby Sullivan started working as a perfur, she had her first inkling of romance.
That dear friend who always used to fiddle with plants at ho, cook als, and watch shows suddenly got busy and wasn’t readily available for chats and phone calls anymore.
And after she returned to the country, their chances to et beca even less frequent.
Like now, she wanted to share the news about Leon Sterling with her but had to consider whether it was an appropriate ti for that.
Marriage was still a bit too troubleso. Sasha Shaw pouted and continued watching TV.
*
Ruby Sullivan got out of the shower, grabbed a book, and headed to the living room to pass the ti.
Ethan Sterling said he wanted to talk to her, but she didn’t want to talk, didn’t want to ask anything, didn’t want to know anything. So she planned to stay outside until he fell asleep and lost the mood to talk, then return to the room.
Ethan Sterling saw through her intentions, so he didn’t follow her out, leaving her alone in the living room to calm down.
Actually, he didn’t know what to say either. It was just how things were; he truly wanted Rhonda Sullivan to keep the child. Now, to him, that child was even more important than the company.
Just as Ruby Sullivan was getting drowsy, Leon Sterling ca in, surprised to see her, "Why are you here?"
Ruby Sullivan waved the book in her hand, "Reading a book for a while."
"What book is so captivating?" Leon Sterling leaned over for a look, ’A Historical Overview of Economics,’ "Hmm, good taste."
Ruby Sullivan smiled, "Your brother’s study, really doesn’t have any books to my liking."
"Then we’ll make room for your study." Leon Sterling casually suggested, "Anyway, there’s space at ho. By the way, wait for a mont, I brought you a gift."
He quickly went to the guest room and returned with a large box.
Ruby Sullivan was a bit surprised, "Is it... one of your paintings?"
He nodded, "Open it and take a look, I think you’ll like it."
She opened the box, revealing the seaside restaurant painting; she really liked it. Just looking at it made her feel wonderful, "Thank you."
"Hmm, you’re welco." Leon Sterling smiled and held her hand, "How have you been lately...?"
Ruby Sullivan set down the painting, nodded, hesitatingly saying, "Are you referring to Rhonda Sullivan’s matter?" She had already heard from Seth and Honey about today’s happenings.
"You know?" Leon Sterling was surprised.
She smiled, following up.
He sighed, "What do you think?"
"Let things take their natural course." Ruby Sullivan smiled too, though speaking to him, it seed like she had found the answer for herself.
She used to be a silly chubby girl, always hoping he’d respond to her feelings one day. Now she suddenly realized feelings might not be controllable even by those involved. If two people are together, without even questioning love, then anything could just unfold naturally.
Leon Sterling regarded her for a while, then smiled, "No matter what decision you make, I’ll support you." If she’d ever choose to be single again, he wouldn’t hesitate. "I’m a bit tired, you should rest early too."
Ruby Sullivan nodded, "Right, tomorrow afternoon, you’ll be ho, right? I’ve invited friends over for lunch."
"If you’re cooking, I must be at ho." Leon Sterling laughed lightly before heading back to his room.
Ruby Sullivan glanced at ’A Historical Overview of Economics’ on the coffee table with a wry smile.
She seed to have beco soone who needed pity again; it’s a bit annoying.
On the second floor, Ethan Sterling, upon seeing Leon Sterling and Ruby Sullivan chatting, quietly turned back into the room. He was fretting over why she hadn’t co back yet, his mind so restless that even looking at his phone, he couldn’t focus on a single word.
He frowned, tossing the phone aside, displeased with his own indecisive ntality, yet not knowing what to do, hesitating for a mont before deciding to go downstairs. His brother coming ho late warranted a greeting.
Upon opening the door, he bumped into Ruby Sullivan coming in.
Ruby Sullivan widened her eyes, genuinely startled, "Were you... going out?"
"Oh, uh, has Leon co back?" he asked awkwardly.
"Mm." Ruby Sullivan nodded, "He said he was tired, might not have slept yet; you should check on him."
"Then forget it, nothing urgent, can wait for another day." Ethan Sterling spoke then turned back to the bed.
Ruby Sullivan slowly moved into the room, slowly got into bed, and before he could speak, she did, "I don’t care what the truth is, say it if you want, don’t if you don’t, I just want... to have a child with you, to save Honey."
Ethan Sterling looked at her back, hearing her say that, feeling unease, pressed his chest against her back, and softly said, "I love you." When the ti cos, he’d tell her everything, but until then, she’d have to hate him.
Ruby Sullivan suddenly shivered, his body was warm but she felt uneasy.
Maybe because that "I love you" had too little weight? She had once so longed for those words from him, even fantasized about him saying it to her, but now upon hearing it, only found it laughable.
"Let’s sleep, got to get up early tomorrow to prepare lunch." She said after turning off the light, realizing she didn’t even have the "interest" to impulsively vent out on him.
Ethan Sterling sighed, kissed her once on the back, "Good night."
In a daze, Ruby Sullivan heard Ethan Sterling’s phone vibrate, and then heard him quietly get out of bed and leave the room.
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