Chapter 51 Can't Even Be Ordinary Friends?
Zoey said, "Words don't count. You have to treat me to a meal for it to count."
Sienna, her roommate, had gone home for the weekend to spend time with her husband and kids. Matilda happened to be free, so she told Zoey to send her the location and she could take an Uber there.
......
The location Zoey sent was a Michelin restaurant in an upscale shopping mall, with an average cost of about 300 dollars per person.
Matilda wasn't surprised. Given Zoey's father's status, eating at this kind of restaurant was normal.
"Matilda, over here!"
Zoey waved enthusiastically at Matilda.
Seeing Zoey this time, Matilda's impression of her improved even more. Last time they ran into each other at the mall, she was dressed casually like the girl next door. This time she wore a white dress, well-fitted, both cute and elegant.
Matilda walked over, smiled at Zoey first, then politely greeted Sawyer.
"Matilda, sit next to me."
"Okay." Matilda also felt more relaxed sitting next to Zoey.
Then came ordering. When the server came to ask what she wanted, Matilda said she'd have the same as Zoey.
Last time she ordered the same meal as Wentworth and made a fool of herself. This time, ordering the same as Zoey, surely nothing could go wrong.
Zoey was about to say something, but Sawyer smiled and said to the server, "Better make it the same as mine, otherwise I'm afraid Dr. Spencer won't have enough to eat."
When all the food arrived, Matilda realized that Zoey was on a diet recently, not eating carbs, and had only ordered a small sirloin steak and a bowl of mushroom soup.
Though Sawyer was a man, he had an average appetite and had ordered steak, Caesar salad, and roasted potatoes.
"Matilda, you eat so much, how come you never gain weight?" Zoey was so envious.
Matilda said, "Probably because I've been doing boxing and kickboxing recently, so I've gained more muscle."
"No wonder. I can see your figure getting better and better, very toned."
Sawyer chimed in, "See, if you want a good figure, you need to exercise properly. Eating and drinking well gives you energy. The way you eat just a little bit every day, you'll have no strength, and it's bad for your health."
Zoey pouted, "But I need to lose weight first, then slowly tone up. You don't understand."
"You think looking like skin and bones is attractive? I really don't get you young people."
"Would you rather I be chubby? That's like raising a pig, isn't it?"
The father and daughter bantered back and forth, making Matilda envious.
Her biological father also lived in Brookford City.
But they hadn't been in touch for a long time. She didn't even feel it was necessary to contact him.
After the meal, Sawyer had something to do and left first, leaving time for the two girls. After all, with him there, the two girls couldn't really relax.
Zoey pulled Matilda along to go shopping, and Matilda didn't refuse.
She'd been stressed all week with her studies, so now was a good time to relax.
When girls go shopping, it's nothing more than trying on clothes and having some iced fruit tea.
The mall's air conditioning was cool and comfortable for shopping.
As they were browsing, someone called out, "Matty."
Hearing that voice, Matilda's scalp immediately tingled.
Why was Ethan here too?
"Matilda, who's this?" Zoey looked at Ethan curiously.
Zoey had met Wentworth, who was a tall and imposing man. This guy in front of them was, well, handsome in a clean-cut way.
"Someone who came here for training with me," Matilda said.
"Oh." Zoey was a girl who'd seen the world. One look at Ethan's eyes told her he liked Matilda.
Matilda was so pretty, it was normal for someone to have feelings for her. She just wasn't sure if Matilda's heart was firm.
Ethan walked over enthusiastically, "Matty, what a coincidence, you're at this mall too? And this is..."
Matilda simply said, "My friend."
"Won't you introduce us?" Ethan asked.
"That's not necessary."
Ethan was rejected but still didn't give up. He pointed to the coffee shop ahead, "Matty, how about I treat you both to some iced fruit tea?"
"No thanks, I'm on a diet, can't drink it." Matilda refused directly, then pulled Zoey away.
Ethan stood there for a few seconds.
In his view, the more Matilda kept him at arm's length, the more it showed her heart wasn't firm.
If she were really firm, she would treat him as an ordinary old friend.
She was clearly avoiding facing her true feelings.
......
Once they'd walked away, Zoey asked curiously, "Matilda, was that guy trying to chase you?"
Matilda said, "Maybe. I've known him since we were kids."
"Known him since childhood? Then why can't you be together?"
"He suddenly disappeared one day and only recently showed up again. But I already have a boyfriend, so there's no way I could date him."
"Can't you even be regular friends?" Zoey pressed.
"No, I don't want people to misunderstand, especially my current boyfriend." Matilda said.
She had no family and few friends she could trust. Some things she could say to Zoey just as well.
Zoey understood a bit better now and admired Matilda even more. "You're really a good person. Think about it, if it were someone else with so many handsome guys chasing them, wouldn't they be pleased with themselves every day?"
"There's one girl in our class who's ambiguous with several guys, calling one 'big brother' and another her 'guy bestie.' Everyone envies her, and I'm starting to question my own values. Shouldn't people like that be criticized?"
Matilda smiled, "I don't understand what others think. I prefer to keep things simple."
As long as she had a home, she was satisfied.
And Wentworth had given her that home.
......
After Zoey dropped Matilda off at the hospital, she went back to the hotel herself.
She'd come on this business trip with Sawyer. He often took her on business trips. During the day when he was busy, he'd let Zoey explore the area, which was also a way to broaden her horizons.
When Sawyer saw Zoey return, he asked, "Did you have fun today?"
"Yes! Matilda is really a good person. She gave me a lesson in character."
"A lesson in character?"
Zoey told him about Matilda rejecting Ethan.
After hearing this, Sawyer couldn't help but frown.
"Dad, why are you frowning? Did Matilda do something wrong?"
Sawyer said, "She did the right thing, but... men aren't that simple."
Especially men like Ethan with high education and good conditions. If he was calculating, Matilda might not stay firm.
However, Sawyer didn't have the energy to worry about these things. This was the Gonzaga family's business and had to be handled by the Gonzaga family themselves.
Sawyer said to Zoey, "I'm going to make a phone call."