When Shirley saw the person clearly, she was stunned-it was Zacharias. She gazed at the man beneath the umbrella, who was as calm as water, but his deep eyes revealed a sense of compassion and tenderness toward her.
The snowflakes were shielded by the umbrella, creating a small world exclusively for them. At that moment, the world seemed to grow quieter.
“Why did you come?” Shirley asked. Her face was disheveled as she wiped away the tears and turned her face aside to hide her tears from the man. However, Zacharias had already seen what he needed to see. “Did you go to see Cole?” he guessed.
“This is my private matter, and I don’t want to discuss it,” she refused to answer.
“Did he reject you?” he asked as he analyzed the situation from Cole’s perspective. He knew that Cole would choose to let go wisely.
At this moment, Zacharias also comprehended that Cole’s feelings for Shirley were sincere, which explained his decision to let go. This was a result of the realization that, due to his profession, Cole couldn’t offer her a stable future. Zacharias empathized with Cole’s choice, acknowledging that if their roles were reversed, he would make the same decision.
The willingness to endure temporary pain for the sake of securing a better future for her was a testament to the depth of his affection.
She bit her lip and remained silent, as this man had already guessed everything, and she had nothing more to say.
In the car not far away, Tony sat observing the pair under the umbrella. Though he couldn’t eavesdrop on their conversation, he sensed an unusual level of care Zacharias was displaying toward Shirley. Zacharias had left the residence to pick her up and shield her from the snow with an umbrella, privileges not typically afforded to ordinary bodyguards.
Tony suddenly realized why Zacharias had driven him away the last time he expressed his desire to make Shirley his girlfriend. This discovery left Tony feeling somewhat resentful. He thought, Hmph! So, it seems that Uncle Zacharias has been interested in this female bodyguard all along.
He continued to observe the romantic scene under the umbrella. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of annoyance at how the situation was unfolding. It suddenly dawned on him that Shirley might become his aunt in the future, and this idea filled him with a strange mix of emotions. It was as if something valuable to him was slipping away.
As a result of the inner turmoil she felt, Shirley’s body and spirit turned cold, causing her to shiver. She embraced her arms, realizing that she had worn a uniform when she ventured out this time, and only now did she sense the cold.
“Get in the car,” Zacharias urged. She didn’t want to ride in his car. She pointed toward Tony’s car and said, “I’ll ride in Mr. Tony’s car.” Without waiting for the man to respond, she hurried into the snow and ran toward Tony’s car.
Tony, who had been silently envious, suddenly felt elated, realizing that his goddess had chosen him. He alighted from the car, walked around the front, and opened the passenger door for her, saying, “Goddess, please get in.”
Shirley expressed her gratitude and promptly took the front seat. He immediately got into the car, casting a glance at Zacharias, who remained in the snow and firmly pressed the gas pedal. The car surged forward.
Roy approached and said, “Mr. Flintstone, please get into the car. It’s not good for your health to stay out in the cold.”
Zacharias nodded and turned to walk toward his car.
At the first red light they reached, Tony noticed a noticeable change in Shirley’s mood. She appeared to be wrapped in a heavy shroud of melancholy, and her thoughts seemed far removed from their surroundings. Concerned, he couldn’t help but inquire, “Goddess, what’s troubling you? Who has caused you this distress?”
She shook her head, her thoughts filled with the memory of Cole’s resolute departure. “It’s nothing,” she replied, her voice tinged with sadness. “Just focus on driving.”
She wouldn’t stand in the way of Cole’s future, but the wave of sadness inside her was undeniable. The future she had envisioned had suddenly shattered, and this was her first love, cut short before it could even begin. In her heart, she extended her well wishes for Cole’s future and a safe journey ahead.
Then, in an unexpected twist, she turned to Tony and said, “Do you frequent bars? Would you mind taking me to one tonight to help me unwind?”
