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Chapter 36 - 36-a loveless marriage
When he woke up in the morning, the bed beside him was empty again. Looking at the slightly disheveled blanket and pillow, he couldn't help but imagine how wonderful she had been the night before, and he muttered angrily,
"Damn it, he must be insane! To hold a woman and do nothing!"
Feeling refreshed, he went downstairs for breakfast. Fredy was bustling about, and he didn't see her or the old man. As he looked around, the butler Wilson said,
"Madam seems to be outside accompanying the old man for his morning exercise!"
"Morning exercise?"
He exclaimed, feeling a headache coming on. She truly was capable of anything! To earn the old man's praise and exercise together with him for so long, given his difficult temper...
Just as he was joking with Fredy, he saw her approaching from a distance, still in the same white shirt as yesterday, fluttering in the morning breeze, the hem of her skirt flowing gracefully in a beautiful arc.
She didn't know what she had said to make the old man laugh heartily, and she joined in the laughter. Her black hair was as dark as ink, her white clothing as pure as snow, and her fresh and serene face felt like a spring breeze brushing the heart, like summer rain nourishing the soul.
Albert Wilson was slightly stunned, a hint of astonishment flashing through his dark eyes. This was not the cold woman he had known! In his memory, she was a person of few words, someone who rarely smiled. But here she was, laughing, and looking so charming!
Fredy, standing behind him, couldn't help but exclaim,
"Madam looks so beautiful when she smiles!"
As she and the old man walked closer, he regained his senses, and she also put away her smile, looking at him with a calm expression. The old man teased him with a smile,
"ALBERT, what are you daydreaming about so early in the morning?"
Hearing the old man call him ALBERT, a mischievous glint flashed in her eyes. He shot her an annoyed glance and turned back to the house, suddenly understanding why Jim was frustrated when Monica called him ALBERT repeatedly.
Cynthia followed the old man inside. In fact, she had gotten up early that morning and casually tidied herself before planning to leave. However, as soon as she stepped out of the bedroom, she encountered the butler. She smiled politely, but he began his incessant nagging:
"Madam, you're up?"
"Madam, why not have breakfast before you leave?"
His continuous calls of "Madam" gave her a headache. Unable to bear it any longer, she helplessly said,
"Mr. Wilson, could you please stop calling me 'Madam'?"
"Uh... if I don't call you 'Madam,' what should I call you?"
The butler's innocent and confused expression was utterly exasperating.
She rubbed her forehead and said,
"Just call me Cynthia!"
"But that doesn't seem quite appropriate..."
"Do as you like!"
She tossed the words at him dismissively and turned to leave.
The butler, still persistent, asked,
"Madam, are you leaving? Aren't you having breakfast? I've already had it prepared!"
"Thank you! I'm not eating!"
She didn't look back.
"Then at least say goodbye to the old man before you leave!"
There was a hint of disappointment in his voice, and she paused. She had forgotten that the old man had also stayed here last night. After all, he was her elder, and she should at least greet him.
However, the old man was even more difficult; he insisted she join him for morning exercises. She wanted to refuse, instinctively wanting to avoid too much close contact with anyone connected to him since they would ultimately part ways, and being so close would inevitably lead to awkwardness.
But looking into the old man's hopeful eyes, she couldn't bring herself to turn him down. She could see that he quite liked her, and she had a decent impression of him as well. Seeing him reminded her of Marc, so she had no choice but to go along.
The morning air was exceptionally fresh, lifting her spirits and making her feel clear-headed. The old man was practicing some Tai Chi with his eyes closed, not speaking to her. Since she wasn't one to initiate conversation, she stood there bored, unable to understand what the old man wanted to achieve.
Feeling extremely bored, she decided to stretch her legs and press her waist. The old man opened his half-closed eyes and asked,
"Girl, can you dance?"
"Yeah!"
She replied lightly. It was clear from her supple figure that she was trained in dance. The old man stopped his movements, his eyes filled with admiration.
"I wonder when I'll have the honor of seeing you dance!"
Her calm and unpretentious demeanor made her a good girl. He thought how wonderful it would be if his ALBERT could keep her around. Sigh... He was aware of ALBERT's situation with another girl, even knowing all about it in Boston, yet he couldn't bring himself to bless them.
He always felt that ALBERT wasn't happy with that girl, even though ALBERT had never shown it. It was just a feeling he had—something seemed to be lacking: less spirit, less vitality, and less of that genuine liveliness.
When the old man mentioned wanting to see her dance, Cynthia could only smile shyly. The only people she had danced for were Marc and Vincent; Bonnie had seen her as well. Initially, she had learned to dance to carry on her mother's legacy, but gradually, she fell in love with it.
She had exchanged her dancing for Marc's medical skills; Marc was the doctor who had treated her mother back then, and he was also her mother's love, which naturally extended to her. Without Marc over the years, she didn't know what her life would have become.
Seeing that she didn't seem keen to dance, the old man expressed his disappointment and changed the topic, sighing deeply with his hands behind his back.
"Actually, ALBERT has had a tough life. When I pulled him out of the icy sea, he was almost lifeless! Sigh... it was a snowy day with temperatures below minus ten degrees!"
Cynthia was slightly surprised to learn that he had such a tragic past. However, she gently interrupted the old man, who was about to continue.
"Sir, it's getting late; I need to head back to prepare for school!"
She finally understood the old man's intention in calling her here—he wanted to play matchmaker between her and ALBERT. But she didn't want to hear anything about that man. It was better for them to remain strangers; she didn't want to be too entangled in a loveless marriage.
Seeing her demeanor, the old man had no choice but to give up and slowly walked back. However, during the return trip, they chatted sporadically, and the atmosphere gradually became more harmonious. Later, when she mentioned Marc, the old man burst into laughter, saying that he must meet her benefactor someday.
Breakfast was filled with cheerful banter, though it was mainly the old man and the butler exchanging jokes while she occasionally chimed in. The man remained silent throughout the meal, with zero interaction between them, not even exchanging glances.
After finishing her meal, she was eager to leave, but the old man insisted that the man give her a ride since he was going to work. She glanced at him, and their eyes met briefly.
She clearly sensed his displeasure; she felt puzzled, thinking that she hadn't provoked him early in the morning. What was he sulking about? Was he still upset over last night?
With that thought in mind, she intended to refuse, but before she could speak, he grabbed his coat and coldly said to her,
"Aren't you going to hurry up and leave?"
Annoyed, she thought to herself, I didn't ask you to give me a ride; why are you giving me a cold shoulder? Though she felt this way, she couldn't show it on her face. She hurriedly said goodbye to the old man and the butler and followed him into the car.
The atmosphere in the car was exceptionally tense, all due to his low mood. Cynthia tilted her head to look out at the scenery flashing by, but her mind was occupied with how to raise funds for the medical expenses of those two children at the orphanage.
Previously, she had been promoting drinks at Bonnie's father's bar, but only on weekends. Recently, she had mentioned to Bonnie her desire to go every day, hoping to earn a bit more. Even if she had to borrow from Grace Lancaster, she wanted to borrow as little as possible.
"Where should I drop you off?"
His calm voice brought her back to reality. She gently replied,
"Oh, just drop me off anywhere; don't delay Mr. Wilson from getting to work..."
No sooner had she finished speaking than he suddenly slammed on the brakes, startling her again. Did this man even know how to drive? He braked out of nowhere, as if the road belonged to him!
She glared at him in annoyance, but he yelled back rudely,
"Didn't you say to just drop you off anywhere? Then get out here!"
Speechless, she pursed her lips in silence, opened the car door, and got out. Just as she closed the door, the silver car sped away without a trace, leaving her stranded on the side of the road.
She shook her head helplessly; he really was unpredictable and neurotic. Ultimately, she had to walk to the bus stop and then take a bus back home.
