Chapter 13 A Familiar Guy
Elaine tilted her head back and looked up at the towering building, its spire seemingly reaching into the clouds, the bright sunlight creating colorful halos in the air.
She pushed open the glass door and stepped inside. The receptionist was on the phone, so Elaine waited quietly for a moment.
When the receptionist finally hung up, she smiled and said, “Hello, I’m Elaine. I have an appointment with Editor–in–Chief Peggy Ashley.”
The receptionist greeted her with a polite smile, led her into the meeting room, and poured her a glass of water. “Please wait here, Ms. Valentine.”
Before long, a woman in her thirties entered. Her skin was flawlessly maintained, making it hard to guess her exact age. She was dressed stylishly and exuded a graceful aura.
“Ms. Valentine, I’m sorry to keep you waiting.”
Elaine stood and extended her hand. “Hello, Ms. Ashley.”
They shook hands, and Peggy sat down across from her, smiling gracefully.
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“Since Lacy recommended you, you really didn’t have to come all the way here. You could’ve just started working directly.”
Her tone was calm, even carrying a hint of warmth.
Elaine smiled slightly, but couldn’t help reminding her, “Ms. Ashley, I’m not sure if Lacy mentioned, but I don’t have any work experience.”
Since graduating from the University of Drego, she had focused on sketching and painting, and hadn’t held a formal job.
Although this opportunity had come through Lacy Walker’s introduction, Elaine felt it was necessary to go through the formalities to avoid being isolated by her future colleagues.
Peggy seemed unconcerned. “Work isn’t as complicated as you think. If you don’t know something, just ask.”
“Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Ms. Ashley.” Elaine shook her hand again, confirmed that she would start work tomorrow, and then left the office.
With some time to spare, she decided to stop by a nearby café. The café was nestled by the lake, surrounded by willows casting their shade over the water, creating a peaceful, serene atmosphere.
It was just after 10 a.m., and the café was nearly empty. Elaine sat under a sunshade, holding a cup of coffee. She took a sip, squinting
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slightly in the sunlight.
At a nearby table, a familiar figure caught her eye–no matter how much he changed, she’d always recognize him.
Sitting across from him was a girl with a sweet, innocent look, wearing a cute white dress that gave her a delicate, almost porcelain–like
quality.
The man seemed to be saying something to her, and the girl shyly lowered her head, her long, silky hair falling to her chest, revealing her fair neck.
Elaine sighed softly. Yet another naive girl had fallen into the hands of a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
The way the girl looked at him–shy and infatuated–made it clear that Fabian Joyce, the notorious playboy, had already wrapped her around his finger.
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With a feeling of karmic justice, Elaine set down her coffee cup, stood up, and approached them. Flashing a bright smile, she greeted Fabian with familiarity. “Hey, Fabian.”
The casual “Fabian” made Fabian jump slightly. He had seen her earlier but didn’t greet her because he was with his companion.
He had assumed that anything related to Cordell would make her want
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to stay as far away as possible. Never in a million years did he expect her to approach him first, let alone call him so familiarly.
In the past, she always addressed him by “Mr. Joyce“. Of course, he wouldn’t dare let her call him Fabian.
He remembered it clearly: the one time she had called him “Fabian,” and afterward, Cordell had shot her down so harshly that she hadn’t dared to say it again for a whole month.
When Cordell had introduced her to him years ago, she was just sixteen–innocent and pure, always calling him “Mr. Joyce.” It had felt a bit uncomfortable to him.
Their relationship had been distant, so he had gently coaxed her into calling him “Fabian” instead.
