Chapter 9 Starting Off on the Wrong Foot

• The man's build was similar to Ian's, so walking close to him should be able to block me from the receptionist's view.
• As we approached the front desk, I stuck closely to the man, keeping my head down and trying to appear as inconspicuous as possible.
• However, it didn't help that the receptionist had eyes like a hawk. I wasn't sure if he noticed me, but he came right over in our direction. Seeing the situation, I instantly tugged at the man's shirt in an attempt to hide behind him. "Can you help me? Don't let the receptionist spot me. He's a tough one, and I don't want to get kicked out again."
• Seeing me sticking so closely to him, the man was rather embarrassed. Just when the receptionist was about to say something, he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and deliberately raised his voice. "Don't worry, no one dares to stop you with me around."
• As soon as he said that, I was surprised to see the receptionist hesitantly returning to the front desk. When I glanced back at him, I noticed that he was looking at me in a way that I couldn't decipher.
• Phew! That was close! I almost got kicked out in front of everyone again, but luckily, I avoided it with this handsome guy's help. "Thank you for helping me out," I said to the man.
• Just when I was about to break free from his hold, he whispered, "Don't move, he's still watching. Let's keep up the act until we're inside the elevator."
• "Oh, okay." I dared not disobey him, so I obediently let him continue holding me as we entered the elevator.
• It was only when the elevator door closed that my heart finally sank back into my chest. However, the man was still holding me around the shoulders, making me feel really embarrassed. "Um… Sir, we're already in the elevator…"
• Only then did he release his grip and press the floor button as if nothing had happened. "By the way, you want to see Mr. Holland, don't you?"
• "Yes, that's right. I'm not sure which floor he is on, though. Can you please tell me?"
• Instead of answering, he just pressed the button for the middle floor.
• No one else got in throughout the elevator ride, and in no time, we arrived on the floor I needed.
• Ding! The elevator door opened. He said politely, "Here we are."
• "Oh, great! Thank you so much, sir. How about we exchange our numbers so that I can buy you dinner later?"
• He smiled and then took out his phone as we exchanged our contact information. I was about to ask for his name so that I could save it in my contacts, but when I looked up, he was already gone.
• The floor was bustling with people working in their offices. Everyone was in a hurry, seemingly busy with never-ending tasks, unlike in other companies, where things seemed more sluggish.
• I casually asked a man nearby about Timothy's office. "Excuse me, sir, where is Mr. Holland's office?"
• The man pointed in a direction without even looking up from his computer screen. He said, "Go inside and turn right. It's at the far end."
• "Oh, okay. Thanks!" I followed the directions given and walked down the long corridor; it took me a long time until I reached the right turn. "Turn right… It's at the far end…"
• After making the turn, I first passed by the secretary's office.
• "Miss, who are you looking for?" A woman wearing a formfitting skirt and a red blouse called out to me. Her blouse was tightly tailored, highlighting her graceful figure and the striking cleavage below the neckline.
• This lady must be Mr. Holland's secretary. I quickly averted my gaze and replied, "Hi, I'm here to visit Mr. Holland. Can you tell me if he's in his office?"
• The woman looked me up and down before asking, "Do you have something to discuss with Mr. Holland?"
• "Yes, our company is interested in bidding for a piece of land scheduled for auction by your company. I'm here on behalf of my company to talk to Mr. Holland about this."
• She adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses. "Did you make an appointment with him?"
• I shook my head.
• "That won't do. Meeting him without an appointment will disrupt his schedule."
• I quickly explained, "All I need is a few minutes! I won't stay long. Please, could you make an exception?" Trying to close a deal in a few minutes was simply an impossible task, but meeting Timothy in person might leave a chance for further negotiations in the future.
• "Alright, then. You wait here!" She went to one of the offices, presumably to report on this. A moment later, she came back, saying, "Sorry, but Mr. Holland said he's very busy today and doesn't have time to see you."
• "Huh?" I had been full of expectations just moments ago, mulling over the wording and contemplating how to introduce myself. And now, my mood plummeted. Since he's busy, I'll wait here until he finishes his work. "Can I wait here for him, then? I won't disturb you all," I pleaded.
• "Hmm… You can wait here. We'll see if Mr. Holland will see you when he's done with his work."
• With her approval, I stood in the corridor and waited. I dared not even use my phone while waiting, fearing that I might miss the chance to greet Timothy if he came out. Apparently, however, I was overthinking it. I kept waiting until 6.00PM, but there was still no sign of him. I watched as the employees started leaving for the day.
• Seeing that I had been waiting all afternoon, the secretary didn't have the heart to let me continue waiting in vain. "I think you should go back. Mr. Holland is known for being a workaholic, and he hates being disturbed while he's working. I'd say you should come back another day."
• Since she had said that, I had no choice but to leave despite my reluctance. After all, Ian had offended Timothy in the first place, and I was here on behalf of Winter Medical Group, so I couldn't afford to offend Timothy again. And besides, I hadn't eaten lunch, and my stomach was growling with hunger. So, I decided to find a place to eat. Right now, only good food could comfort me for having such a bad day.
• After coming downstairs, I stood outside the company's entrance, ready to hail a cab to Food Street for a meal. As I waited for a cab, a voice rang behind me. "Did you get to meet Mr. Holland today?"
• I turned around to see the man whom I had hurt by accident earlier. "Mr. Holland was too busy, so he didn't have time to see me. I'll have to come back another day, I guess," I replied with a tinge of disappointment.
• "Is that so? That's a pity, then."
• In reality, I didn't feel too upset about not meeting Timothy. People like me, who belonged to the middle and lower classes of society, had no luxury of meeting someone from high society as we pleased. "It's alright, there'll be another chance. Still, thank you for helping me out," I said to him with a smile.
• "Are you thanking me in words only?" he hinted, clearly still looking forward to the dinner I had promised him.
• I had always been the type who avoided owing any favors, just like what happened with Jude. "No, of course! You've helped me a lot today, and I hurt you by accident, too. In any case, I should treat you to dinner," I replied. "Today is fine, so let's do it today. You'll decide on the place."
• "Alright then, I won't hold back. I'm also hungry right now."
• Although I had a bad feeling about this, he didn't seem like a bad person, so I didn't think he would make me spend too much. However, I was still working on my job, and there wasn't much money left in my bank account.
• He hailed a cab and politely opened the door for me, even going out of his way to protect my head from the cab's roof. I sat in the back seat whereas he took the passenger seat.
• The cab took us straight to a bustling commercial area, which was also known for its high-end establishments. As soon as we got out of the cab, I regretted it. Our surroundings were filled with a dazzling array of upscale restaurants—the kind that could bankrupt me with just one meal.
• "Come on, let me take you to a place I often go to."
• Often? Don't tell me it's some kind of Michelin-starred restaurant. I followed him all the way in anxiety.
• Eventually, we arrived at a tiny eatery that was less than ten square meters in size. I was totally stupefied. The place was crowded, with tables and chairs placed right on the pedestrian pathway, like a street vendor's setup.
• "You have to be on the lookout for city management officers at all times while eating here," the man joked as he skillfully found a spot near the edge of the pedestrian pathway and sat down.
• What he said was true; operating the business on a pedestrian pathway like this would surely attract the attention of city management officers, and they might end up facing fines. Despite that, the place was surprisingly crowded, and it seemed to be the only eatery of its kind in the whole commercial area. "Sir, is this place clean and sanitary?" I asked under my breath, afraid that others might overhear.
• The man replied nonchalantly, "Clean and sanitary restaurants can't beat the taste you get here."
• I was speechless. What else can I say? I can only hope that I won't get diarrhea later. "Okay…" In an instant, I wasn't interested in good food anymore. I had no choice but to change the subject, saying, "Sir, I still don't know what to call you."
• "Hmm… I guess I'm only a little older than you. Just call me Brother," he replied thoughtfully.
• "Brother?" I was startled for a moment. How did we suddenly become like relatives?
• "What's wrong? Is it not okay? Do I look so old that you want to call me 'uncle' instead?"
• "No, that's not what I meant. 'Brother' is just fine," I replied. After all, it was just a meal, and we might not have any more contact in the future, so I decided to simply go along with it.
• "What about you? What should I call you?" he asked me in return.
• "I'm Robyn Landon." I was a straightforward person and didn't see any reason to keep my name a secret. A name was just a name; there was no need to be so secretive about it.
• "Robyn Landon? That's a pretty name."
• "Thanks!"