chapter 4
1029 Words
Ayria sat at her desk, continuing to edit her article. Soon, Kate came running from the direction of the bathroom, nearly bumping into her chair.
Kate saw her and asked, "Ayria, are you okay?"
Ayria was slightly confused and asked, "What's the matter?"
Kate glanced behind her and then looked around before saying, "I heard in the bathroom that Winter was giving you trouble."
As it turned out, Kate had just entered a bathroom stall when two women came in, not to use the facilities but to touch up their makeup after lunch. One of them, holding a tube of YSL lipstick, turned to the woman in a pink dress at the sink and said, "I saw Winter going to find Ayria."
The woman in pink, Nanny, who was close to Winter, replied nonchalantly, "Some girls rely on their looks and don't follow the right path, stepping on their seniors to get ahead."
The woman with the lipstick, curious, asked, "What happened? Tell me."
Nanny sneered, "Don't be fooled by Ayria's quiet demeanor. She's out to climb over Winter. Didn't Winter want to interview the CEO of TWYL Group?"
The lipstick woman said excitedly, "That didn't happen, right?"
Nanny continued, "You don't know the whole story. The interview was all set, but then the CEO backed out."
The lipstick woman was surprised, as this was different from what had been rumored. The rumor was that Winter had been flatly refused.
Nanny added, "Today, Winter and I saw Ayria with Mr. Tully's assistant. Isn't that too much of a coincidence? Winter's interview fell through, and Ayria is cozying up to the assistant. If she didn't interfere, I'd be shocked."
Kate, hearing this, was furious and wanted to confront them, but they had already left. She rushed back to check on Ayria.
"Did Winter just come to see you?" Kate asked.
Ayria: "How did you know?"
Kate, exasperated, recounted the bathroom gossip to Ayria in one breath, ending with, "Winter hates you."
Ayria found her tone amusing and reassured her, "It's not that serious."
Kate, seeing Ayria's calm demeanor, became more anxious. She worried Ayria would suffer. Kate, who joined the newspaper with Ayria, was playful and outspoken, while Ayria was serious and unflappable.
Kate whispered, "Believe me, Winter really hates you. I can see it."
Ayria said nothing.
Kate continued, "Remember when you first joined the newspaper? Everyone was talking. Writers and beauties alike can be jealous. You're so beautiful, how could Winter like you?"
Kate wasn't exaggerating. Ayria's entry had indeed caused a stir. Her beauty was distinctive, with almond eyes, delicate skin, and a cool demeanor.
Ayria finally looked up, speechless. Kate asked, "Am I wrong?"
After a long pause, Ayria said expressionlessly, "You should write for TV dramas."
A few days later, Ayria realized she might owe Kate an apology. Winter did indeed seem to hate her.
Since the day Ayria pinned Winter against the wall, Winter had not let it go. Ayria, now in the economic section with Winter, found herself frequently sent on difficult assignments.
One noon, Nanny threw something on Ayria's desk, "Go pick up these materials this afternoon."
Ayria looked at the address; it was a two-hour metro ride, possibly with transfers. She decided to leave immediately.
Kate chased after her, asking, "Not having lunch?"
Ayria: "I'll grab something on the way."
Kate, upset, said, "They're targeting you."
Ayria told Kate to go have lunch and joked, "I'm a plague now. Stay away from me."
Kate retorted, "I've known you since I joined. I'll always stand by you."
Kate, frustrated by Winter's tactics, felt helpless.
She added, "I heard Winter's dad is a big name in journalism. That's why everyone gives her face."
Ayria smiled, "Don't worry. I haven't let this get to me."
She didn't mind the inconvenience. If pushed, she wouldn't hesitate to show Winter who was in charge.
However, when Ayria arrived, the person wasn't there. She waited an hour to get the materials, and as she prepared to return, it began to rain.
Standing at the bus stop, her chiffon blouse quickly got soaked, clinging to her skin. The bus was delayed, so she decided to call a ride.
As she pulled out her phone, it rang. Seeing "Mr. Tully" on the screen, she was surprised. Richard rarely called at this time.
Ayria answered, barely saying "Hello" before sneezing.
Richard asked, "Are you sick?"
Ayria: "No."
He glanced out at the heavy rain, "You're outside?"
Ayria replied, "Yes, can't always stay in the office."
"Do you have an umbrella? It's raining," Richard asked, his voice deep.
Ayria bit her teeth to stop them from chattering, the cold rain making her shiver. "I'll call a cab back to the office."
They both paused, not used to small talk. Ayria asked, "What are you doing?"
"Heading back to the office."
She looked at the rain-drenched street and smiled to herself, imagining him showing up.
"I'll call a cab. You get back to work," she said.
After hanging up, Ayria tried to call a ride. Due to the rain, the wait was twenty minutes.
Growing colder, she stomped her feet, considering paying extra for a ride.
Then she noticed a car stopping nearby. She looked up, surprised.
A sleek black car stopped at the bus stop, and Richard stepped out, his shoes splashing in the puddles. He wore a white striped shirt, his black suit unbuttoned.
The driver, Mr. Xu, opened an umbrella, but Richard took it and walked quickly to Ayria.
Before she could speak, his warm jacket was draped over her shoulders.
He had really appeared.
Richard guided her into the car, leaving onlookers stunned.
"How did you know I was here?" Ayria asked, still in shock.
Richard replied, "You forgot the app you helped me install?"
Ayria remembered the couples app Kate had recommended, which shared their locations. She had joked it was a "breakup app."
She had almost forgotten about it, but he used it?
Opening her phone, she saw their dots close together. "It works," she laughed.
She felt her left hand being taken, Richard's fingers intertwining with hers.
"That's what I call close," he said softly.
- Writer
