The night was cold, and the sky looked like it had swallowed a secret. Linda zipped her thick coat and pulled the hood over her head, slipping into a pair of leggings and boots. The wind tapped gently against the windowpane, and the clouds above grumbled like they had something to say. She didn't wait for the suspicious weather to pop up__she picked up her umbrella just in case it rained.
She had gotten a call earlier from Secretary Kim that very morning saying that Mr Fang wanted to see her at Happy Hub restaurant by eight pm. She picked up her hand bag as turned toward sara saying, "I'm heading out," grabbing her phone and adjusting her sleeves.
Sara has returned back to Linda's house, complaining that her house is to lonely.
When she saw Linda leaving the house that late, she raised a brow, "At this hour? Where?" She asked, crossing her hand.
"I won't be long." She answered dismissively.
She left before more questions could be asked. A taxi arrived ten minutes later. She got in, gave the address, and sank into the seat, her fingers tracing lines on the fogged window as the city rushed past.
They pulled up in front of a fancy restaurant dressed in neon lights. She paid the driver and stepped out, greeted immediately by the scent of fried chicken and wine. Her stomach growled quietly, reminding her she hadn't eaten since noon.
Inside, the place was alive with soft chatter, clinking glasses, and soft and inviting music. She looked around, scanning the tables. Then she saw secretary Kim.
He stood by a table and beside him was Mr. Fang Leng. Secetary Kim smiled as he sighted her.
She walked over and gave them both a slight bow "Good evening."
"Linda," Mr. Adam said warmly, standing up and pulling her into a light hug. She smiled and hugged back.
They all sat down, and after a few minutes of exchanging pleasantries, Mr. Adam waved for a waiter and ordered wine.
"How's school, Linda?" he asked, settling into his chair as if they were longtime friends.
"It's been great. " she replied, flashing a small grin. "I'm really doing fine, thanks to Secretary Kim, who keeps showering me with gifts__and money sent by you, and sometimes, he dropped by the school to give me gift " she added, glancing sideways at Kim teasingly.
Secretary Kim smiled raising his hands in the air like a criminal being caught, and said.
"Woah, what's with the look? I am innocent"
Mr. Adam chuckled.
"Seriously, thank you. Both of you." she added more quietly, her fingers brushing the edge of the table "you've both helped in covering a lot of things."
"You're welcome," Mr. Adam said simply and Secetary Kim just smiled.
Soon, the wine arrived__red and glowing in the light. Linda insisted on pouring for both men.
As they drink, the mood softened. The restaurant buzzed around them and they sat silently sipping.
Then Mr. Adam asked a question breaking the silence.
"So... I heard some military officers visited your school to pick some talented students. Were you one of them?" Mr. Adam asked casually, though his eyes watched her closely.
Linda placed her glass back on the table, her smile fading into something more serious.
"Yeah. I was picked but I turned the offer down. "
"But you turned it down?"
She nodded. " Yeah, I did."
"Why?" Mr. Adam leaned forward slightly. "A smart and talented girl like you could make a difference to the world. You could save different people with your skill."
She took a breath, brushing her hair behind her ear.
"I have my own plans. I've shaped my life in a certain direction, and I'm not letting anything change that. "
Her voice was quiet, but her words were firm. Like she was talking to him and also reminding herself.
He leaned back again, eyes thoughtful. "I see."
There was a moment of silence. Then Mr. Adam seemed to have remembered something and he reached into his laptop bag, unzipped the side pocket, and pulled out an envelope.
"My boss asked me to give you this," he said, sliding it across the table.
Linda blinked, looking at the envelope like it might bite her. "What's this?"
"Something to say thank you__for saving my life," he said softly. "I owe you more than words. He made sure I deliver this myself and thank you again personally."
Linda smiled staring at the envelope and said.
"I saved you months ago, and till this day, you, Secretary Kim, and your boss continue to express your gratitude. It's just a normal act you know."
"Saving a life is no ordinary act, Linda," Mr. Adam said with a smile. "It's worth celebrating for a thousand months. If not for you, I'd be gone, and my family would still be grieving my loss. Please, take this. You've earned it and you're really worth it." Secretary Kim nodded in agreement too, and Linda accepted with a mix of gratitude and humility.
"Tell him that I'm truly grateful. I hope to meet him someday. And judging by the gifts and money he always send, he must be quite wealthy," she said with a nervous laugh.
Mr. Adam chuckled, but Secretary Kim coughed lightly into his fist. She caught it and raised an eyebrow at him. He looked away and giggled.
"I just hope he won't throw me out the moment he sees me," she added jokingly. "You know, poor little me in the house of a billionaire. And his son, is a freak. He hates me as well as I hate him. Or even more."
This time, Secretary Kim almost chocked and Linda quickly helped him with a napkin asking him if he was alright and he nodded his head saying he was fine.
At the other side, Mr. Adam felt a flicker of unease, but he masked it with a smile and continued the discussion.
"Hope the exams weren't too stressful?" Mr. Adam asked with a friendly smile, trying to lighten the mood.
"Not at all," Linda replied, her lips curving slightly as she took another sip of her wine.
"Good to hear," he nodded. "Do you plan to travel to see your parents?"
Linda was about to respond when the waitress arrived, carrying a tray of delicious-looking dishes. The aroma filled the air as she neatly placed the plates before them. Both of them thanked her, then began to eat, letting the conversation pause for a moment.
After they finish eating , Linda checked her watch.
"It's getting late. I should get going," she said, as she stood up, ready to leave.