CHAPTER 62: CHAPTER 62: CONVERSATIONS WITH JOEL SUTTON

"Guess?" I shook off those thoughts and replied mysteriously.

Jasper Yates adjusted his glasses with a smile, "I won’t guess, but I hope you’re single so that I have a chance."

Is this guy trying to pursue me? I don’t quite believe it. I figured he’s no different from other men; once they’ve gotten to a certain stage, feeling familiar enough, they begin to let loose.

I downed the rest of my drink in one go and then got up. "Enough of this, Mr. Yates. Goodbye."

Seeing this, Jasper Yates immediately stood up too, a bit anxious as he said, "Can I have your contact information? I’ll show you my sincerity!"

Sincerity doesn’t really work; I was sincere with Henry Preston for ten years, and look how that turned out?

But I still gave Jasper Yates my phone number. Why should Henry Preston get to have fun with his little princess, and I can’t find a man to pass the time with?

After leaving my contact information, I went to call Crystal Dawson and the others; they were about done playing, so we all went home.

Outside the bar, Lane was waiting for me in the cold wind.

Every time I drink, I have to call him to pick me up. He opened the car door respectfully and helped me in. I grabbed his hand and said very earnestly, "Lane, don’t worry, I’ll give you a raise next year!"

Rain or shine, Lane never complains about my instructions.

Lane stiffened for a moment, an unusual look flashing across his face, then he gently set my hand down, closed the car door, quickly got into the driver’s seat, and drove me back to Maplewood Gardens.

As I passed the snowman on the way home, I silently looked at it for a few seconds and then poked out its eyes.

"You and Henry Preston are both blind," I muttered.

How am I worse than Azure Vaughn? Except I’m not as young as she is.

As soon as I got home, I heard Bonnie meowing, soft and milky, which instantly lifted my spirits. I found Bonnie playing with a ball of yarn in the cat’s nest, picked her up, and inhaled the lovely cat scent. After a while, I took a selfie with her and posted it online.

Then I went to take a shower and go to bed. Before I slept, I saw that Joel Sutton had sent me a few messages.

There was also a picture of a chubby orange cat, very adorable.

Joel Sutton: Miss Hathaway, do you like cats too?

I replied: Not bad. A friend’s cat is being fostered at my place for a while, and I’ve found it quite cute. Is that orange cat yours?

Joel Sutton: I found it at school. No one wanted it, so I kept it. It’s very well-behaved, just eats a bit too much.

After saying that, he sent a video of the orange cat. It was as big as a pig, trying to jump onto a chair but fell because it was too chubby. It was so awkward and cute that I couldn’t help but laugh.

We talked for quite a while, all about cats. Joel Sutton must have seen my post and thought I really liked cats, so he took the opportunity to chat with me.

I could clearly see through that bit of deliberate effort, as I used to deliberately chat with Henry Preston, finding topics I thought he was interested in.

Finally, Joel Sutton transferred the rest of the money he owed me, all at once, saying: Thank you, Miss Hathaway. I’ll treat you to a meal next time.

I replied: Sure, let’s just do it tomorrow. I’m planning to take Bonnie for a bath and deworming; you can bring along your chubby orange too.

Joel Sutton replied quickly: Great!

After putting down my phone, I hugged my pillow and emptied my mind to sleep. There’s nothing more important than sleep, I can’t keep overextending myself.

The next day, I searched for nearby pet shops, chose one, and sent the address and time to Joel Sutton. By the time I arrived at the pet shop, he was already there waiting for me, wearing a thin black jacket with a turtleneck sweater underneath, carrying a pet backpack with the chubby orange inside.

"Miss Hathaway!" Seeing me, Joel Sutton’s eyes lit up, and his smile was bright as if he was starting to come out of the shadow of a breakup.

"Let’s go inside quickly, it’s so cold out here." I said to Joel Sutton, while holding a transparent pet cage in one hand and pulling my coat tighter with the other, thinking to myself how nice it is to be young. Doesn’t he feel cold wearing so little?

After we entered the pet shop, Bonnie was left to be handled by the store staff, while I and Joel Sutton sat on the sofa, playing with the chubby orange.

The chubby orange was very lively but couldn’t manage its plump figure, often trying to jump up but failing. It circled to my right, intending to jump onto my shoulder. Startled, I leaned tightly into Joel Sutton’s arms; he stiffened and then blushed.

After realizing it, I didn’t immediately move away but smiled at him. Only after the chubby orange left did I sit up straight.

"It’s a little mischievous. Did it scare you?" Joel Sutton dared not look into my eyes. His gaze was always following the chubby orange, and his voice was a bit unnatural.

"No, it’s quite cute. I want to buy it a hairclip!" At a whim, I got up and picked out a pink cat hairclip. I had Joel Sutton catch the chubby orange and put it on its ear.

The chubby orange was quite cooperative, parading around with a hairclip, proudly showing off to Bonnie and provocatively testing with its paw. Bonnie, who was getting its fur blown dry, saw this and hissed irritably at the chubby orange.

"Fatty!" Joel Sutton quickly called out, rushing over to stop it.

I took out my phone and captured this funny scene, then sent it to Ivan Underwood: Check out this chubby orange, isn’t it hilarious? Bonnie is so angry, hahaha...

Ivan Underwood didn’t reply, probably busy, and I didn’t mind.

After messing around in the pet shop for an hour or two, Joel Sutton and I left together.

"Weren’t you going to treat me to a meal? How about now?" I said to Joel Sutton, as I placed Bonnie in the back seat of the car and clapped my hands.

Joel Sutton’s eyes lingered on my car, that envy and longing in his eyes almost unhidden.

Hearing my words, he quickly nodded, "Alright."

"Then hop in," I smiled at him.

I knew about Joel Sutton’s financial situation, so I chose a reasonably priced buffet restaurant. Then I called Lane to come over and take the car back, sending Bonnie and the chubby orange both to Maplewood Gardens; otherwise, the two little guys would definitely be uncomfortable being cooped up.

The restaurant was quite crowded. Joel Sutton busily fetched all sorts of food he thought was delicious for me. Seeing how attentive he was, I once again felt sorry for him for the nth time.

He really is quite good-looking, certainly a standout in school, diligent, sunny, and positive. If it weren’t for Henry Preston’s interference, he and Azure Vaughn might have had a happy future together.

"Hi there, handsome. My friend says you’re really good-looking. Can I get your WeChat?" An eighteen or nineteen-year-old girl came over, blushing, and asked Joel Sutton.

Joel Sutton instinctively glanced at me.

The girl immediately looked embarrassed and glanced at me too, "Sorry, sorry, is this your girlfriend? Sorry for disturbing!"

With that, she awkwardly ran away, leaving Joel Sutton looking troubled, as if torn between wanting to explain and not wanting to explain. I sighed, "Alas, there goes your luck with the ladies."