Chapter 182: Coincidence
"That's right. If I remember correctly, there used to be a lake over there. Look, now it's all high-rise buildings too." I said with a smile, pointing at a building in the distance.
"Helena, you're right. I remember that lake."
Ivan said cheerfully, "Do you remember? We came here in winter once and went ice skating on that lake."
"Did that happen?" I was a bit doubtful.
"Of course."
Ivan nodded hard and helped me recall, "I forget who brought us there, but Natasha was with us too. The three of us were playing on the lake, but Natasha fell down many times. She got so upset that she cried and told on us when we got home. I got scolded by Mom for it."
"I don't remember this at all." I really couldn't recall it.
"It's okay, that was when we were kids. It's not strange that you don't remember, Helena."
Ivan grabbed my hand and said, "Come on, let's go check that area out. It looks pretty lively."
It was indeed lively. A group of kids surrounded a street magician, clapping continuously at the amazing performances.
Ivan and I walked and stopped along the way. We saw lots of good food and fun things, so we kept stopping to buy stuff. Before long, both my hands were full of bags.
"Helena, don't move."
Ivan put down what he was carrying, pulled out a pack of tissues from his pocket, opened it and took one out, gently wiping away some ice cream that had gotten on my face.
Watching his gentle movements, my heart stirred. I really couldn't figure him out anymore.
"Ms. Lockwood!"
Suddenly, a loud shout came from behind me. I turned around and saw Lyndon and several colleagues from the company staring at us in shock, their mouths hanging open.
Lyndon looked completely disbelieving. He pointed his finger, his voice trembling, "You and Ivan, you two..."
The colleagues behind him also had their eyes wide open, their expressions both shocked and excited.
Oh no!
I instantly felt embarrassed, like I'd been set up by Ivan. Just as I was about to step back and create some distance, Ivan very naturally stopped what he was doing, stepped back a few paces and greeted everyone, "What a coincidence."
"Yes, quite a coincidence. Really coincidental."
Lyndon looked even more awkward. He pretended to be calm and looked around, "The scenery here is nice. Pretty lively."
As soon as he said that, a colleague behind him chimed in, "Yeah, yeah, and it's a shopping street too. Let's walk around and check it out."
"Good idea, good idea."
Lyndon went along with his colleague's suggestion and quickly started walking forward.
As he left, he didn't forget to say goodbye to me, "Ms. Lockwood, we have things to do, so we'll get going. See you at the office. Bye."
I raised my hand too, smiling somewhat stiffly, "Bye."
After they walked away, before I could say anything, Ivan spoke first, "Helena, that was my mistake just now. I think I caused you some trouble."
Hearing this, I looked up at him deeply.
But his eyes only showed clear guilt. I couldn't see any scheming in them.
Could it really have been a coincidence?
I had my doubts, but I also knew that pursuing it now would be pointless. With this in mind, I could only say, "It's okay, this has nothing to do with you."
Ivan asked, "Helena, you're not angry?"
I shook my head, "I'm not angry."
"Then, is there anywhere else fun nearby? Should we go check it out?"
Looking at his expectant expression, I felt no interest at all.
Suddenly I remembered my date with Atlas tonight. After thinking about it, I said, "Let's go. There's a place I want to take you. I'll introduce you to my boyfriend."
"Really? But I didn't prepare a gift." Ivan seemed flustered.
"It's fine, we're just meeting. Besides, he's a young guy around your age anyway. You don't need to prepare anything."
Hearing this, Ivan nodded, "Okay then, I'll drive."
I nodded in agreement, "Okay."
Soon we arrived at the hotel we'd agreed on. Atlas wasn't there yet.
Seeing this, Ivan said quietly, "Helena, actually after Natasha mentioned Atlas, I specifically looked up his personal information."
I asked, "What did you find out?"
Ivan nodded hard, "I could tell that Atlas is a very successful businessman, but his reputation doesn't seem very good."
"Really? Tell me, what's not good about it?"
Seeing me press him, Ivan looked around and said carefully, "It's what they say online about his family matters, and his past with some women. Helena, aren't you worried at all?"
Seeing his urgent expression, as if he was genuinely worried about me.
My heart stirred, and I said, "Of course I'm worried, but about those women you mentioned, Atlas said it was all made up by others. He doesn't even know about it himself."
"How can you believe that?"
Ivan seemed anxious, "Helena, you can't let yourself be fooled so easily."
"Fooled by whom?"
Just as Ivan finished speaking, a deep male voice came from behind us. I looked up and saw it was Atlas.
"You're here."
Before I could stand up, Atlas put his hand on my shoulder, signaling me to stay seated.
He also sat down in the seat next to me. After settling in, he looked up at Ivan and asked, "And this is?"
"My cousin Ivan. He just came back from abroad."
I said, then pointed at Atlas, "Atlas, my boyfriend."
Being caught talking bad about someone right when they show up would make anyone feel awkward, even Ivan.
He quickly stood up and said to Atlas, "Hello Atlas, I'm Ivan. I just returned to the country."
"Sit down, why are you being so formal?"
Atlas waved his hand repeatedly, telling Ivan to sit, then looked at me with a smile, "What were you two just discussing?"
"Talking about you."
I smiled, "Ivan said he saw reports saying you used to have a lot of women, and he told me not to fall for your tricks."
Atlas looked at Ivan with some surprise, "Where did you read all this nonsense?"
"In the newspapers? None of that is true. Don't believe it!"