Mr.Richard Only Loves Me

chapter 3

Ayria didn't expect Richard to take her joke so seriously.

When she arrived at the office, she found her phone's home screen had been set to a picture of her. The photo was taken on Saipan Island when they had a seafood dinner. Richard was holding a glass of crimson liquid, which made his hand look exceptionally pale.

This photo was one of the rare full-face pictures she had of him. His hair was neatly short, his forehead mostly exposed and looking full, his nose high and straight, and most strikingly, his eyes with deep double eyelids and slightly upturned, with a rare laziness.

"Good morning," Kate's greeting sounded beside her.

She had just put down her bag and sat in her chair, complaining, "The California subway is so crowded. I feel like I'm squished into a pancake every day."

"That means you should lose weight," a male colleague across from her joked.

Kate glared and snapped, "You're the one who's fat. I'm not fat, I'm slim."

"Even Ayria doesn't complain about being slim," the male colleague said, trying to provoke her.

The male colleague smirked at Ayria, "Right, Ayria?"

Ayria, not one to belittle others to lift herself, coldly replied, "No."

The male colleague was stunned, while Kate laughed heartily. "Our Ayria doesn't fall for your tricks."

After the male colleague turned away, Kate continued to laugh, saying, "How do we have such a gossipy man in our office? Thankfully, we have Ayria to maintain justice."

"Isn't the flower show article due?" Ayria asked her calmly.

The California flower show topic was personally decided by the editor-in-chief, and it needed significant publicity.

Kate yelled, realizing her article was still half-written due to last night's overtime. She quickly opened her computer to work.

Working at the newspaper was not only busy but also tedious. Ayria and Kate spent their first year in the editorial center, following seniors to report on trivial matters, especially in the lifestyle section.

Once, Ayria interviewed an elderly woman who had lost her beloved cat.

Kate joked that it was like a scene from the Chinese drama "Romance in the Rain," where a reporter interviewed an old lady who lost her cat. Ayria found it amusing.

Fortunately, the cat was returned, and the old lady's family even sent a banner to the newspaper to commend Ayria's diligent work.

Now, Ayria had transitioned from a trainee reporter to a full-time reporter, still busy but closer to her goal.

Near noon, Richard finished his meeting and left the company. He had a lunch appointment despite his busy schedule.

He got into the car and asked Donald, "Lunch at Ming Court?"

Donald turned back and asked, "Not satisfied?"

Richard, who preferred mild flavors, found top Cantonese cuisine generally satisfactory.

"Send a portion to Star. She's lost a lot of weight lately," Richard said softly, looking at his phone.

Donald quickly responded, knowing that "Star" was Ayria's nickname.

"Ming Court doesn't do takeout. Shall I deliver it to Mrs. Tully's office?" Donald suggested.

Richard nodded, saying no more.

The newspaper office finished at noon, and while the canteen had good food, young people often preferred to order out. Kate, not fond of canteen food, was already browsing takeout options before noon.

Ayria, meticulously proofreading her article, didn't notice her phone ringing and answered it directly.

"Madam," Donald's gentle voice came through, startling Ayria.

Despite being married for a year, Ayria still felt her marriage to Richard was somewhat unreal. To her colleagues, she was just a young woman striving in her career.

Among those who knew, the Tully family elders disapproved of their marriage.

When she occasionally visited Richard's family, even the housekeepers were unsure how to address her. Miss Will felt too distant, and calling her young madam displeased the elders.

Only Donald consistently called her madam, making her feel her title was legitimate.

Ayria regained her composure and asked softly, "Hello, is there something you need?"

Donald, always respectful, replied, "Mr. Tully asked me to bring you lunch. Should I leave it at the front desk, or would you like to come down and get it?"

Ayria was taken aback, "Lunch?"

"I'll come down and get it. Thank you," she said immediately.

Donald didn't say it was a bother and waited quietly in the lobby. When Ayria arrived, she saw Donald in a suit, holding an exquisite food box.

Ayria approached and looked at the box, remembering the breakfast spread that morning.

Even she couldn't help but mutter, "Is Mr. Tully trying to fatten me up?"

Donald chuckled and replied softly, "Mr. Tully is concerned about your health."

Donald had been with Richard for seven years, knowing he was usually reserved and unemotional, but he was different with Ayria.

Ayria took the food box, almost dropping it due to its weight.

She opened it and was stunned to see three layers of neatly arranged dishes.

Kate, standing nearby, gaped in astonishment.

She asked, "Ayria, who is this rich guy trying to woo you?"

Ayria: "..."

Coincidentally, this rich guy was Richard.

The office balcony was a common spot for colleagues to have coffee breaks. During lunch, while everyone else was eating, Ayria brought the food box out and invited Kate to join her.

"Wow, this soup is amazing," Kate exclaimed, enjoying the meal. The dishes were thoughtfully prepared, including shrimp, meat, fresh vegetables, and an exquisite soup.

Kate cautiously asked, "Is the person chasing you a rich second generation?"

Ayria didn't respond, and Kate, thinking she was about to deny it, quickly added, "Don't deny it. Why else would someone be so attentive?"

Ayria shook her head and said, "Really not."

Kate, seeing Ayria's reluctance to discuss, knew she wouldn't get a word out. Ayria was tight-lipped, never discussing her own affairs or gossiping about others.

After eating, Kate hurried to the bathroom, leaving Ayria to clean up and head back to her desk.

As she walked down the corridor, a slender figure approached from the opposite direction. Winter, with her proud posture and stylish outfit, stopped in front of Ayria, scrutinizing her.

Ayria remained calm under Winter's impolite gaze.

Winter finally spoke, "Do you know Donald?"

Ayria, recalling being seen earlier in the lobby, admitted, "Yes."

"What kind of relationship makes him deliver lunch to you at noon?" Winter probed with ill intent.

Realizing Winter's suspicion, Ayria found it laughable.

She prepared to leave, but Winter blocked her way.

The atmosphere grew tense.

Winter said, "As a senior, let me be clear. I'm set to interview Richard, so don't waste your efforts. Even if you connect with Donald, the editor-in-chief will still give the job to me."

Ayria looked at her, surprised and amused.

After a moment, she coldly remarked, "You should be a scriptwriter, not a journalist."

Winter, recognizing the mockery, gritted her teeth and muttered a curse, "Damn..."

Ayria, already a few steps away, turned back, dropping the food box. She quickly grabbed Winter's shoulders, pinning her to the wall.

Winter, known for her scheming, had never encountered someone like Ayria, who was direct and confrontational.

Winter tried to struggle, but Ayria's icy gaze stopped her. "Didn't your parents teach you not to curse others' mothers?" Ayria said coldly.

Winter, truly intimidated, leaned against the wall, not daring to resist.

After delivering her message, Ayria released Winter and walked away. But she stopped after a few steps, turning back.

Winter, about to speak, froze.

Ayria smirked, "As a junior, let me give you some advice."

"You won't be interviewing Richard."