Chapter 83 83

Chapter 83 83
I felt my cheeks heat up, but I nodded. "Yes. Just a quick moment."

"Of course," Jennifer said, standing up. "I'll go grab us some coffee. How do you both take yours?" She asked Wilson and I.

"Black, please," Wilson replied, with a big smile. “Thank you.”

"The same for me," I added without thinking, even though I usually took mine with cream and sugar. My mind was just too scattered to remember my actual coffee preferences.

Jennifer nodded and headed toward the coffee bar on the far side of the restaurant. The moment she was out of earshot, I turned to Wilson.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, keeping my voice low so the other diners wouldn't hear.

Wilson leaned back in his chair with a calm expression still on his face. "I was around the neighborhood.”

He continued, “Though I think the more pressing question is, who was that woman outside and why did she look like she wanted to tear you apart with such hurtful and spiteful words?"

I sighed and quickly glanced toward the restaurant entrance, but thankfully Clara wasn’t there. I guess she had finally given up and left, or she was probably too embarrassed to stick around after being so thoroughly embarrassed.

"It's... complicated," I said, not sure of how much I wanted to explain or how much information I wanted to divulge to him.

I mean, Wilson wasn't exactly a total stranger, but he was not exactly a close friend either.

"Most things worth explaining usually are," Wilson replied, observing. "But you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I just saw that you looked like you needed help, so I helped."

"But how did you even know I was here?" I asked him again. "And why did you help me? We don't even know each other. I mean we've only met once."

Wilson shrugged. "Like I said, I was in the neighborhood. I was actually supposed to meet a friend nearby, but he was running late so I decided to come and get some coffee here while I wait for him.”

He explained further, “That was when I saw you from afar and I recognized you immediately. And as for why I helped, well, I told you before. Not everyone who helps has an ulterior motive. Sometimes people just do the right thing. Besides, that lady seemed like she was up to no good."

“Or am I in trouble for helping you now?”

"Oh no…I'm sorry," I quickly apologized. "I didn't mean to sound ungrateful. Thank you for stepping in. That situation was actually getting out of hand, and I didn't know how to get out of it."

"There's no need to apologize," Wilson said calmly. “It's fine.”

“Truth be told, I've been hoping to run into you someday.” I confessed and he immediately raised his eyebrows in such a funny way.

“Really?” He asked, his tone clownish.

I chuckled as I responded, “Yes, really. I wanted to thank you so much for saving my life the other day. If you hadn't been there that day, I probably would be in a different state by now. I also wanted to apologize once again on behalf of my brother.”

I continued, “It was after you left the hospital that day that I realized that I didn't have your number or any means to reach out to you. I also didn't get your last name. I couldn't even remember if you told me and I forgot it. But I really wanted to meet you and thank you from the bottom of my heart because I'm so grateful.”

He smiled. “It's okay. I think you've thanked me enough. If I didn't do it, someone else probably would have.”

I raised one of my eyebrows in a questioning look, and he immediately understood the impossibility of what he had just said.

As if pre-planned, we both burst into a hearty chuckle.

"But it's fine. You’re welcome. And you're welcome for today too.” He said and we both laughed again.

“Although I am curious about one thing." He said as soon as we stopped laughing.

"What's that?" I asked him.

"Does this mean I'm your fake boyfriend now?" He asked, and there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Because your friend Jennifer seems pretty convinced we're together."

I groaned, dropping my head into my hands. "I'm so sorry about that. She's not exactly my friend, she's a real estate agent. I'm trying to check out some properties.”

“Don't worry, I'll explain to her that we're not actually together. I don't want you to feel like you're stuck in some weird lie." I said quickly.

"Hey," Wilson said gently, and I felt his hand touch my shoulder. "It's okay. I don't mind playing along if it makes your life easier. Besides, it's not like I have anything better to do today."

I looked up at him, trying to figure out if he was serious. "You really don't mind?”

"Not at all," He assured me, shrugging.

“Don't you have a job or something?” I asked, curiously.

“Not exactly.” He responded, and I tilted my head with curiosity evident in my eyes.

“You mean you're jobless?” I pressed further.

“No. Absolutely not.” He shook his head in refusal.

“So what are you saying?” I asked again, not ready to back out.

“Well, let's just say my job is really flexible, and I'm able to be here today because it's my day off.” He replied, and my eyes narrowed as if searching his eyes for answers.

“You don't look convinced.” He stated, judging from my reaction.

“Obviously.” I said, my eyes darting from side to side.

“Well, I do a lot. I work a lot of jobs just to make ends meet, but sometimes I try to take a break so that I won't eventually break down.” He began to explain carefully. “For instance, the day I helped you, that was one of the days I was trying to take a break because I had been working a lot lately.”

He spoke further, “I love a simple life, but at the same time I still understand that a young man like me has to work hard to be able to afford the most basic things in life. And for someone who has a goal and a vision, one has to work hard to make sure they are all achieved.”

I nodded, “That's true though. I love it when people, regardless of their gender, are hardworking. Not people who feel entitled and would wait for things to be handed over to them, but people who take the reins of control of their lives. I mean that’s why I work hard.”

He nodded too. “It's very obvious. You seem like someone who is very determined and hardworking. And someone who is focused too.” He replied, staring at my eyes.

“Well, I try my best.” I replied, smiling slightly as I looked away.

“So as your fake boyfriend, what are the expectations?” He asked, changing the topic. "Though I have to warn you, I've never been anyone's fake boyfriend before. I might not be very good at it."

Despite everything, the stress, the shock, and the emotional turmoil of the past couple of minutes, I found myself smiling. "I don't think there's really a right or wrong way to do it."

"Really? That's a relief then." Wilson said with a small smile of his own. "So, what's the story? How did we meet? How long have we been together? I feel like we should get our facts straight in case your real estate agent asks questions."

"Oh God, I hadn't even thought about that," I admitted. "Um, let's just say we've been dating for a few months. We met through... mutual friends?"

"Sounds reasonable," Wilson agreed. “ We should exchange numbers now, don't you think?” He asked. “Or don't you think it would be weird if you're unable to provide your “boyfriend's” number if need be?” He stressed, and I smiled.

I agreed and we then exchanged contacts.

He then spoke further, "And I'm assuming you want to keep things vague? Not too many specific details?"

"Exactly," I said, relieved that he understood. "The less we say, the less we have to keep track of."

"Smart," Wilson observed, nodding his head. "You've clearly thought about how to maintain a cover story before."