William squinted his eyes. He felt so displeased with himself that he couldn't say another word.
"Don't you think you've fallen in love with Mary, William?" After a pause, Lucas continued, "If you don't like her, why did you sleep with her? If you don't like her, why do you care about her? Well, that's all I want to say. Think about it."
Lucas hung up the phone before William could respond.
Did he like her?
William became more and more confused the more he thought about it. If he liked Mary, then what was going to happen to Frank?
"William!" While he was thinking, Frank pushed the bedroom door open and asked, "What are you doing?"
"Oh, nothing." William turned around and walked away. "You should get some rest."
"What about you?" Frank frowned.
"I'm going to the company," said William with a grave look in his eyes. "There are still some things that I have to take care of." Then he walked past Frank and went out.
"William," called Frank. "Have you considered what I said?"
"What?"
"Go to Norway as soon as possible."
“...Okay," said William. "I will think it over."
William closed the door. Then he left the apartment feeling burdened by his thoughts.
Frank clenched his fists as he stared at the door.
William went downstairs, drove out of the garage and quickly drove to the company.
From the first time he gave the contract to Mary, to the time they really went into the Civil Affairs Bureau, to the time they joked and lived together, and finally they had sex...
The scenes flashed back in William's mind, and he only felt more and more regret.
When William arrived at the company, he opened the file, but couldn't read a word. Coming to the company was just a cover. There was no one around him, and he didn't even bother to disguise himself.
William took out the cigarette in the drawer along with a lighter, and lit the cigarette. He stood in front of the window and gazed at the distant stars. He smoked one cigarette after another.
In the hotel suite, Lucas stared at Mary who was sleeping soundly on the bed. He gently covered her with the blanket to keep her from getting cold.
The bags under her eyes were swollen, it was obvious that she cried her eyes out again.
Lucas sighed.
When morning came, Mary got up on time.
"Why did you get up so early?" Lucas was a little surprised.
"I have to go to work. Sorry, I bothered you last night," said Mary, who was still feeling embarrassed
"It's fine." Lucas returned the smile. "Do you want to have breakfast first?"
"No, thanks." Mary shook her head. "I can pick some up on my way to the company. I have to leave now."
"Then I'll drive you."
"That's not necessary." Mary took a deep breath before speaking again. "I want to face this alone. It's time for me to end this."
Lucas hid his disappointment behind a smile and said, "Then take care... You've got this, Mary. Fighting!"
"Okay, I will!" Mary nodded along as if she was trying to cheer herself up.
Along the way, she couldn't figure out how she felt. One moment she was nervous, the next moment she would feel relaxed.
She wondered what William would do or what he would say when she finally built up the courage to say it. He should be happy, right?
"Mary." She heard Jane call her name as soon as she reached the thirty-second floor. "Someone sent you a flower."
"Hmm?" Mary looked confused. "Who sent it?"
"I have no idea." Jane shook her head. "I saw it as soon as I came. Boss seemed to have arrived at the company early. He's probably the one who sent it, right?"
Jane snickered.
Mary walked to the table and saw a bright red rose, droplets of dew were still on some of the petals.
There was no card, but she was certain that it was not sent by William.
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