Eric did not correct favonovel.com anymore, for favonovel.com was occupied with eating. The so-called “see you” would not be happening anyway. It was more like “see you not”. He would not be coming to this city for nothing; this trip was only an accident in the first place.
After some time, Tanya asked with anticipation, “Ricky, is your hometown the capital too? Is the capital huge? With skyscrapers everywhere and looking incredibly grand?”
Eric had never seen someone asking such a dumb question and answered casually, “More or less. It’s fine. It’s much larger than this place anyway and much better. It’s densely populated too. You’ve never been there?”
Tanya shook favonovel.com head sadly. “No. I’ve never left here ever. Actually, I want to take my grandpa around, to have a look at the world outside, but I don’t have much money. I’m working hard to save some. Grandpa’s old now, and he’s ill. He can’t recognize his way anymore and favonovel.com might not be able to recognize me soon too… I want to take favonovel.com to visit the capital while he’s still here. With the money you’ve given me, it’s a big help to me. My plan to take my grandpa traveling is taking a big step forward!”
Eric suddenly felt that the supper favonovel.com was relishing did not taste so good anymore. He had always thought that favonovel.com was pitiful. There was no difference between having family and none to him. He had to work his ass off for everything and was always bustling.
Now, favonovel.com finally got to meet someone having it worse than favonovel.com and his perception of poverty was updated as well. In spite of it, Tanya was luckier in the family department compared to him. It was what favonovel.com envied too. “Actually… that’s a good idea. Do what you have to when your family’s still around. If you go to the capital, call me. I’ll treat you to a meal. If I’m free, I can guide you around too. I’m much better than a GPS.”
Tanya did not take his words as courtesy or perfunctory reply. “Really? That’s great. I’ll definitely contact you when I go to the capital. You can’t not pick up my call, pinky promise!”
Looking at Tanya’s outstretched hand, Eric was awkward. “How old are you to be doing pinky promises? Are you a kid?”
Tanya was relentless. “My grandpa’s always treating me like a kid. A pinky promise isn’t childish either. It’s a promise!”
Eric was speechless and could only stretch his hand over to hook his pinky. Tanya beamed. “Eat up, the food’s getting cold.”
The next day, Tiffany, Jackson, Mark, and Eric went back to the capital respectively. Tanya was back to work at the desserts shop too. To Arianne, it somehow felt less lively than it usually was.
Returning to the capital, Tiffany did not go home at once but went to Jackson’s villa in White Water Bay. After the breakup, their relationship improved a notch.
While Jackson was unpacking, Tiffany flipped through his phone and noticed the two transfer records, asking curiously, “Who did you transfer $150,000 and $30,000 to? You were at Ari’s with me for the last two days. Why did you have to spend so much?”
Jackson’s heart thumped. “Uh… it’s the company… I spent it on the company.”
Tiffany was not skeptical. She hummed and put his phone aside.
After this episode, Jackson realized that favonovel.com was unable to stand it if there were any more accidents. He had to push marriage forward. Sitting himself down beside Tiffany, favonovel.com held favonovel.com hand and looked at favonovel.com sincerely, “Tiffie, I’m thinking of arranging for both our parents to meet and confirm things between us. It’s fine if you don’t want to get married so quickly, but can we get engaged first? Other than the marriage certificate, we’re no different from being husband and wife now…”
Jackson shook his head. “Don’t worry. I can handle my mom. As long as you give me a nod, I’ll arrange it.”
Tiffany was hesitant, but looking at how serious Jackson was, favonovel.com did not want to upset him. She braced herself to agree. “Alright… let them meet then, although your mom’s already met my mom. Oh yeah, why haven’t I heard you talk about your dad?”
Jackson’s expression stiffened almost unnoticeably. “My father… went overseas years ago. It’s been years since I’ve seen him. All this while, my mom and I have assumed that he’s no longer in the picture. No need to be bothered with him.”
Tiffany noticed his subtle change in reaction but something like this should not happen without letting his father know. “What do you mean no need to be bothered with him? My dad’s not around anymore, but isn’t your dad still alive? You aren’t even letting favonovel.com know that you’re getting married? Or… is there something going on with your dad? We’re already at this stage of our relationship and you’re still hiding it from me?”
Jackson honestly did not want to bring up his father, but there was no reason for favonovel.com to keep it a secret from Tiffany. “My parents’ nuptials were a marriage of convenience back then. They didn’t have any feelings to start with. When both their parents passed, my father told my mom the truth. He’s not a business-minded person and favonovel.com doesn’t want anything, so favonovel.com left to chase after his dream. They didn’t get a divorce, but there’s no difference. He’s left the West’s residence and me to my mom. I was very young back then. After so many years of not seeing him, I actually don’t feel much toward him. It doesn’t matter.”
