Chapter 318 Showing Off
Chapter 318 Showing Off
Benjamin froze for a moment when she hugged him, then turned his head to look at her. A hint of amusement flickered in his deep, cool eyes.
Like golden rays breaking through the clouds after rain—brilliant and radiant, warm and incredibly comforting.
His usually flat tone was cushioned by soft clouds. "You don't make any sound when you walk?"
Rachel blinked, her arms still wrapped around his waist. She teased with a smile, "Did I scare you? Looks like even the great Mr. Wright isn't immune to being startled."
Benjamin saw she seemed fine and relaxed a little. "Mr. Wright is human too. It's perfectly normal to be startled by your girlfriend."
Rachel's spine stiffened.
She didn't know why, but his casual remarks always made her heart race.
Was this normal?
These playful exchanges happened from time to time. At first, Rachel felt a bit uncomfortable, still sensing some distance between them.
But Benjamin was always patient enough to break through her defenses, stepping up to her, hugging her, kissing her, comforting her.
They ate breakfast face to face. After clearing the dishes, Benjamin asked, "What time are you going to the hospital?"
Rachel replied, "Around four or five in the afternoon. I'll go keep my dad company for dinner."
Benjamin pulled a car key from his pocket. "I have something this afternoon, so I probably can't drive you. This car—Asher lost it to me in a bet. I don't drive it much, so you can use it for now. Otherwise taking cabs is too much hassle, and Haven Healthcare Hospital is pretty far anyway."
Rachel paused for a moment, then took the car key.
From the property division in her divorce from Steven, she'd sold off all the cars she got, keeping only the one she'd bought before marriage.
She joked with a smile, "What kind of bet was worth this much? Did Asher cry to you about it?"
Benjamin raised an eyebrow. "He's coming back from abroad in a couple days. Says he wants to take you out to dinner together. You can ask him then."
"Do I even need to ask?" Rachel twirled the car key in her hand. "Mr. Holden is loaded. A single car is nothing to him. Does he know about us dating?"
Benjamin nodded, saying flatly, "I told him."
He wasn't the type to make a big show of things or post on social media about his relationship.
But last time Asher called to consult him on a legal matter, after Benjamin answered his question, Asher asked if he'd been busy lately, saying he'd be back in Dawnlight City in a couple days and they could get together.
Out of nowhere, Benjamin dropped the line, "I have a girlfriend now."
That left Asher on the other end silent for several seconds, then he asked hesitantly, "While I'm surprised you have a girlfriend, are you showing off right now?"
"No, just stating facts." Benjamin's tone remained flat.
Asher let out a cold laugh. "You think I believe that? Are you the kind of person who shares personal stuff with others? You're totally showing off! Damn it, Benjamin, I see you clearly now. I can't believe you're this kind of person!"
After his outburst, he started pressing for details. "Come on, who is it? Do I know her? Have I met her? Who could possibly date an ice-cold guy like you? She must be something! Who?"
It couldn't still be Claire, could it?
He'd heard even from abroad that Claire was back.
But he didn't dare ask that out loud, afraid of hurting Benjamin's pride.
Benjamin ignored his shouting, just raised an eyebrow and said coolly, "Rachel."
The other end went silent again.
This time the silence lasted even longer.
There was a good ten seconds of silence—then the phone exploded.
"You're unbelievable. Even wolves don't hunt near their own den! You manipulative, backstabbing, two-faced, conniving, snake-in-the-grass piece of work..."
Benjamin could tell he was just throwing out every insult he knew.
He cut him off flatly, "Stick to words you actually understand. It's embarrassing."
Then he hung up.
The memory faded. Benjamin didn't say anything more. Once she'd gathered her things, they left together.
That morning Rachel went to the Artists Association and the Federation of Literary and Art Circles. In the afternoon she met with another art museum director to discuss the joint academic forum and publication of proceedings that Senland Art Museum and Stargaze Gallery would host in July.
There was also an academic conference scheduled for the 18th of this month, also in Rosewood City.
For Stargaze Gallery, this was a chance to boost its international standing.
An opportunity like this was rare.
There was no reason to hesitate. Rachel agreed on the spot.
At four-thirty in the afternoon, she drove to Haven Healthcare Hospital, stopping along the way to buy some fruit and desserts Louie could eat.
On the 17th floor of the inpatient building, a paper airplane came flying straight at her from a distance. Its pointed nose hit the top of her shoe and dropped right at her feet.
She looked up, slightly startled, just in time to see a small figure rushing toward her.
The little voice called out excitedly, "Ms. Davis!"
After a few steps, probably remembering Alexander's earlier instructions, Abigail quickly slowed down and walked up to her properly.
A smile spread across that adorable little face as she said in a sweet childlike voice, "Ms. Davis, you're finally here! I missed you so much—missed you while eating, missed you while sleeping, missed you while doing puzzles, and missed you while playing with my Barbies too."