Chapter 7 : The Wrong Response

Chapter 7 : The Wrong Response
"You know what? I've been waiting for you for so long. I feel like I've wasted a lot of time just waiting for you." 

Florence showed a guilty look on her face. She knew that this was her mistake. She was not evasive because this was the fact.

Quietly, Florence said, "Really, I'm so sorry,  once again, I apologize. It's my bad." She said it solemnly, looking at her client in front of her. And for the first time in her career, she felt anxious and afraid for her client. 

Please don't blame Florence for this. Look at the man sitting across from her. His face was handsome, but the look of arrogance and menace was unmistakable. It was so strong that she dared not look him in the eye for too long. She desperately hid her fear. 

"You're not professional." 

"I know. I won't repeat the same mistake." 

"How do you know?" 

Florence tried to remain patient, even though she didn't like being treated so badly like this. "I'll work on it." She looked at him more seriously, "and why don't we discuss our goals instead of making things more complicated? I know I was wrong, and I apologize profusely for that. Arriving late is not what I wanted either." 

The man leaned back in his chair, his eyes still refusing to move from Florence. He did not blink, to the point that she felt uncomfortable with that type of look. 

"So, I don't think we need to waste any more time, right?" Florence opened her bag, then began to take out her notebook. "Let's get started now." 

"Okay." 

Florence was now completely relieved. She took a deep breath, tried to remain calm, and then began, as she had done with her clients over the years. 

When her client put her full focus on her, Florence immediately said what she had in mind. "Please introduce yourself. And tell me about your problems and what you want your future love experiences to be." 

"I'm David." He extended his hand, something that surprised Florence because she did not expect this to come. However, she shook his hand even though it was quite awkward. 

"Florence." 

"Yeah, I knew you. That's why I asked to meet you here." 

It was just a pep talk, shouldn't David have realized that? But Florence chose not to discuss it further, she didn't even say it, she just smiled and nodded.

"Well, you can say your problem now." 

"I don't have any problems." 

David confused Florence. Talking to him was apparently quite emotionally and energetically draining. She wanted to be professional, complaining was not something she should do. She had of course dealt with some pretty fussy clients before, she had managed to do her job despite the pressure, but every job, no matter what it was, had its risks, and she knew that. 

Now, Florence is faced with David, who she feels is going to expend a lot of energy. A client of course has many traits, which of course vary in personality, because that's how people are. 

David saw the confusion, so he hurriedly explained what he wanted. "I'm going to my relative's wedding, I can't possibly go alone." He folded his hands, then sighed, "oh jesus, what will people say? Especially my extended family if I come alone?" He shook his head. "Where will I put my face? I can't bear such a big embarrassment."

"And you wouldn't call that a problem?" Florence asked. 

"Yes, it's a problem, I mean... it's not what you think." 

"What do you mean?" Florence was still stuck in confusion. Her brow furrowed. She was confused and still wondering. 

"Look, I only need a girl for one day, the day I go to my relative's wedding. You understand, right?" 

Florence gasped softly. She hadn't said anything else when David interrupted her. 

"After that, it's done. I don't need her anymore." 

"I thought—"

"I can pay you whatever you want." 

Florence shook her head softly. "It's not just about the money." She tried to put it nicely, "Look, I don't think you understand my job. My job isn't to rent someone out so that when you don't need them anymore you can throw them away at will. You're misunderstanding me." 

"I thought it was the same thing." 

"Nope, it's not." Florence shook her head more firmly this time while emphasizing her words. "It's very different, you're mistaken. I help, give advice and input, discuss, and find people matches. I will find a way out for people who want to find a lover, in the sense of really needing a companion who is always by our side, I can't help with anything other than that, including what you want." 

"I don't think the difference is that big." 

"No, it's not. You just want to find a pretend girlfriend that you can take to weddings. Whereas I'm opening a service for people who are serious about finding a partner. There's a big difference here. I'm sure you're not stupid enough to understand what I'm saying."

David let out a long sigh. He thought for a while, looking like he was holding something. "Look, I really need your help. Won't you make an exception for me?"

"It's not that I don't want to, but I can't. It's beyond my control, what you want is not a job I can afford. I can't do it." 

"Why?"

"Because it's not my specialty." Florence saw the look of disappointment that crossed his face. She said, "listen, I'm sure there are people who offer pretend girlfriend services, and that's where you should go. Coming to me is something wrong." 

"I don't know where to look." 

"You can find them if you can find me too." 

David grimaced. "Not really, I can easily find you because you're famous." 

"Oh, please!" 

"That's right!" David's tone of voice rose. "Your name is big, many people know you, many people have succeeded after using your services, your help has really made things easier for them. And I thought you could help me too." 

Florence had received many compliments like that, so she wasn't too impressed anymore. She had had enough. 

"But you misunderstand," she said at last. 

"Can't you think it over?" 

"No, this is beyond my control. Ask others for help. Find a service that can serve you. Really, I'm not capable of it. I'm speaking the truth now." Florence tried to politely decline. 

David was not convinced. "I can't. I don't know where to go to find a pretend girlfriend, and even calling it that makes me feel uncomfortable, it seems so silly." 

"Ask your friends for help." 

"And risk being laughed at by them?" David smiled wryly. "Hell, big no." 

"So, how?" 

"I don't know."

Florence sighed softly. She could have just left right now because she couldn't take the task from David, but she felt that leaving so suddenly and leaving him in a confused state was wrong, and a bit cruel. So she stayed where she was and chose to stay for a while, just to listen to him, or perhaps she had an idea that she could use to help him. Just wait a moment. 

"Why don't you try to find a real lover? If it's about this, of course I can help you." 

"Not a good idea, I guess?" David said with hesitation. 

It was enough to make Florence's curiosity piqued. "Why if I may know?" 

"Because I'm not ready for a serious relationship. Don't judge me, but that's how I feel, at least for now." 

No, Florence certainly wasn't going to be judgmental about it, because she felt it too. David's words were exactly what she was feeling right now.

"Yes, I do need a pretend lover, but I'm reluctant to call it that because I think it's too ambiguous and so silly. So, yeah, I think you get my point." 

"You're willing to take my advice?" 

"What?" David was provoked by Florence's words. He was curious. He looked at her with a closer look in his eyes. 

"Talk honestly about your current situation, that you're alone and not dating anyone. Why are you embarrassed about it?" 

"It's not that easy." 

"Why not? I can do it." Florence instantly regretted her words. She shouldn't have been so honest in revealing her true identity, because this is her life, her privacy shouldn't be known by her clients. And she had let it slip. It was lucky that David didn't seem to care that much. 

"I can't mention the real reason, it's complicated and I don't want to explain it. The point is, I want to go to my relative's wedding with my partner, that's all I want." 

"Then, once again I say with regret that I can't help you. I'm sorry, find someone else." 

David openly showed that he was very disappointed with Florence's response. 

But then, he suddenly remembered something. "Hey, what did you say earlier? You're single right now, right?" 

"Yeah, so what?" 

David suddenly had an idea that he thought was brilliant. "You want to hear my idea?" 

Florence didn't respond, her lips pressed together, but David knew she was curious because the look on her face said it. 

"Why don't you do me a favor? I mean, really do me a favor, not just advice or input or whatever, but come with me to the wedding. What do you think?" 

Florence almost choked on her own saliva because she didn't expect David to say those words, which surprised her a lot. 

It was too unexpected at all.