The Day He Matured

Day after day, it’s Christmas tonight. All the streets in the city are brilliant with colorful lights, cars are bustling, and everyone wears beautiful warm clothes, flocking to amusement parks and churches together.

I got off the taxi, walked to the twenty-five-meter tall pine tree in the middle of Novaland Gallery square, took a few selfies, and asked the beautiful girl who was with her boyfriend nearby to take two full-body photos for me.

Most people go with their lover or with a group of friends, with family, no one is alone like me.

When I look at them, I feel a little sad. I am twenty-four years old and have not had a single piece of love on my shoulders, although my eyes, nose, mouth, hands, and feet are all complete.

Before, when I was in high school, I had a crush on an upperclassman. He is handsome, humble, and talented.

Before I could muster up the courage to confess my feelings to him, he had already moved away.

It was not until last year, when I was reading articles about Hana Corporation, that I suddenly saw him in the news, and at that time, I knew he was the heir to the MK condom manufacturing company.

This is also the only domestic enterprise producing this item whose shares are listed on the stock exchange.

In the last three years, that business has recorded extremely impressive business results, despite competition with foreign businesses.

After walking around to admire a few miniatures, I went to Mango Tree Bangkok Eatery restaurant to enjoy some dishes.

Today, Mrs. Alina has an appointment with some friends, so she is not at home.

Although the villa had high walls and a very modern anti-theft system, I was still not sure, so I only allowed myself to go out for an hour and a half. I’ll be home before nine.

I had just finished paying the bill and before I could stand up, the phone rang. I took out my phone and looked at it even though I was very frustrated.

As I guessed, it was Brian calling. How many years has he maintained this habit of catching fish with many hands? More than two years now or many years ago?

He hugged another girl outside, but when he got home, he clung to me, trying to touch, tease, and say sweet words.

“Aren’t you with Hellen? Fraudster.”

I turned off the volume of my phone, put it in my bag, and let it vibrate. I didn’t even pick up the phone.

Not only tonight but since the night when I heard Mrs. Alina talking about Hellen, I didn’t reply to the messages that Brian asked about me, only answered when he asked about his mother.

I decided to separate the boundaries with him, when he returned, I would serve him within the scope of duties and responsibilities of a maid, that’s all.

And now, the distance between the two of us is halfway around the world, I can’t serve him.

Listening to him flirt is not within the scope of work. The contract between me and his mother clearly stated my work. If he needs it, I’ll make a copy for him for him to read.

Even so, when I felt the phone vibrate continuously behind the thick fabric of my bag, I was still uneasy. My head is imagining that scowling, angry, gloomy handsome face.

I took a deep breath and told myself to stay calm, not to be afraid. I’m not a puppet, I’m human and I have freedom.

“Oh my…”

The impact was not strong, but it also made my steps wobble, I almost fell down in the middle of the luxury restaurant.

Fortunately, someone’s steady arm caught me in time.

The moment I opened my eyes, I was dumbfounded because I saw the face that once made my heart flutter.

Yes, my heart used to flutter because now I don’t flutter anymore. But I’ve always been immobilized by beauty in unexpected situations like this.

And the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen is my nasty master.

“I’m sorry. Are you okay?” Richard helped me stand up straight and asked.

“I’m okay, thank you.” I shyly inched away from his arms and slightly nodded.

Maybe I’m the only one who recognizes him. How could he remember a girl with a low academic record? Ah, I have to say that he didn’t know I existed in that school.

When I was sixteen years old, I was very ugly and black even though my family’s economy was still well off, and my parents were still alive.

“Bella? Are you Bella?”

I was startled and my eyes widened as I looked up at the elegant man in front of me. Did Richard just call my name? Oh my gosh, he recognized me. He knows of my presence on this Earth.

Obviously not the same. Even when I compare two pictures ten years apart, I can’t believe the two girls are the same person. I must admit that I had a very successful puberty.

“Do you… know me?” I nodded and asked softly.

“I know, Bella, tenth grade A.” Richard smiled gently and replied.

This was a small shock to me. Turns out I was also seen by him and he remembered my face, my name.

Could it be because of the ugly, skinny appearance that stood out at that time?

“Do you go out alone?” He looked around me and asked.

“Yes. Alone.”

“Do you have the time? Would you like to have a cup of milk tea with me?”

I don’t know how the devil induces me, but I nod my head while I was originally going to take a taxi to go home.

Richard pointed to the opposite milk tea shop and walked forward. I timidly followed him.

The boy I liked today has turned into a mature, elegant, and successful man.

Two huge milk tea cups were quickly set down in front of us.

I’m sure I’ll be full until tomorrow after I finish this cup of milk tea. If it was ten years ago, Richard invited me to drink a glass of sugarcane juice on the roadside, I would be so happy that I fainted, not as calm as now.

The image of Brian flashed across my mind as my hand once again felt the phone vibrating in my bag.

Because I was afraid that Mrs. Alina would call me, I peeked and saw the screen showing Brian’s name.

I ignored him, I decided not to answer the phone. He’s in America, he has a grandfather, a cousin, if he has a problem, he should call them, not me.

“How long have you lived in the city?” Richard stirred a cup of milk tea and spoke softly.

“Almost three years now.”

“You’ve been here for almost three years, but it’s not until now that I can see you again. Is our destiny thin or thick?”

“What?” I opened my eyes wide to look at the person opposite because I did not understand what he said.

“Ah. Do you live nearby? What work are you doing?”

“Yes, it takes about twenty minutes to drive from here to where I live. I… I work as a maid.” I answered honestly.

Contrary to my fresh look like a fish that has just been picked up from the sea, Richard’s face is slightly sad. Maybe it’s because my eyes are blurry, why should he be sad for me?

My current job has dozens of people who dream but can’t get it, the salary is high and I am treated like family by the mistress.

Ah, my young master treats me like a lover, as evidenced by the fact that he is calling me.

He wants to control me, right? I’m drinking milk tea with a rich handsome man, if he has wings, he’ll fly back here and drag me home, I don’t pick up the phone.

I ignored him, I have to continue to ignore him. When he comes back I’ll think of a way. If I pick up the phone now, I’m sure he’ll scream into my ear. I don’t want my eardrum to be punctured.

“I thought you would be a fashion designer or you would do something related to garments.” His voice is low but he tries to keep a smile on his lips.

“The profession chooses people. But… why do you think so?” I blinked in surprise.

“Paper fashion show to celebrate Teachers’ Day that year, your class won first prize. I know you’re the one behind those designs.”

If Richard hadn’t mentioned that, I’d have forgotten that I made a mark only once during my three years of high school.

I wasn’t too surprised when he found out that I was behind the designs. After my class won first place, other classes asked who made the dresses and clothes and my friends also told them.

However, they only looked at me once and quickly forgot.

My academic achievements are not outstanding, my beauty is overshadowed, and so many talents are not enough to make people pay attention to me for longer.

However, I did not expect that he, a guy who I thought was thousands of miles away from me, would remember everything.

Does he know I used to love him so much? Did he know that when he suddenly disappeared, I was so disappointed and sad?

Does he know that there is an ugly duckling-like girl who is always watching his back, sneaking glances at him from every angle?

“I’ll take you home.” Richard suggested after getting my phone number.

“Yes, so… bother you.”

Honestly, I wanted to refuse but somehow a little devil appeared in my head.

The little devil told me to try to keep this relationship so that after liquidating the contract with Mrs. Alina, I could hug this handsome guy’s leg to apply for a job in the office.

With a good accounting diploma and not even a year of experience, no company would pay to hire me. But Richard can help me.

I followed him to the car and sat in the passenger seat because he had already opened the car door and waited.

The car starts very smoothly and runs like flying, light and comfortable.

Expensive cars are really different from taxis, just like the differences between Richard and me and the differences between me and Brian.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

“You can let me down here. If you run into a small road, you have to turn the car around, which is a waste of your time.” I quickly spoke up when the car was about to reach the road leading to the villa.

Richard nodded and stopped the car. I quickly wished him a good evening, then got out of the car and slammed the door, not forgetting to wave goodbye to him again before running back to the villa. I hope no thief comes to visit that lavish place.