Chapter 11 A Cause to Celebrate

• Samuel stared blankly at his boss, who not only finished his breakfast but also walked toward him and carried a lunchbox. Samuel slapped himself hard across the face.
• Ouch. That hurt. Not a dream.
• "Let's go." Theodore glanced at Samuel and commanded, "Straight to the office."
• "Mr. Jackman, aren't you going to check on your fiancée?" Samuel couldn't resist asking, a little too curious.
• Theodore paused mid-step and asked, "Do you know why you're always the second and never the first?"
• "Because I'm younger?"
• "You talk too much!"
• For three consecutive days, Theodore had all his meals either at Pine House or took them to go.
• After three days of eating proper meals, Theodore felt rejuvenated and almost as if he'd been reborn.
• Even his business partners couldn't help but notice. "Mr. Jackman, you look quite refreshed lately. Is there any good news?"
• Theodore smiled and said, "Indeed, something worth celebrating."
• After years of struggling with anorexia, he had finally found a skilled doctor. That, in his opinion, was a great cause for celebration.
• At that moment, his business partner's secretary leaned in and whispered, "I heard Mr. Jackman is soon to be engaged to the daughter of Jensons."
• The business partner's face lit up with understanding.
• It seemed Theodore was really looking forward to meeting his fiancée.
• A person's spirit lifts when they are happy. No wonder, no wonder.
• "Congratulations!" The business partner said enthusiastically. "I'll be expecting to celebrate with you."
• Theodore maintained his composure and said, "Perhaps."
• Is finding the right doctor a cause to celebrate?
• Well, a drink isn't out of the question.
• The negotiations went exceptionally smoothly, wrapping up over an hour earlier than expected.
• When Theodore arrived downstairs, he realized he was early.
• His car was still stuck in traffic on the freeway and wouldn't arrive anytime soon.
• Samuel quickly called to arrange for the Bentley maintenance shop. In the meantime, he asked Theodore to wait a moment by the curb.
• Theodore nodded, unfazed by the arrangement.
• Three minutes later—
• Screech—a pale yellow electric scooter whizzed past him, then abruptly stopped and backed up.
• Theodore observed Summer taking off her helmet and smiling at him. She asked, "Mr. J, what are you doing here? What a coincidence!"
• Theodore chuckled too. He said, "Indeed. And you?"
• "Oh, Joe wasn't feeling well today, so I went to the clinic to check on a few patients for him." Summer glanced at Theodore, who was standing all alone by the roadside, and thought he looked rather pitiful. She offered kindly, "Where are you heading? I can give you a lift!"
• Theodore glanced at the tiny, pale yellow scooter. His mouth twitched involuntarily.
• In all his life, he had never ridden such a vehicle. Could something tiny carry two people?
• Summer seemed to read his thoughts and assured him, "Don't worry. My scooter might be small, but it's got power. You don't eat properly most days anyway, so you can't weigh that much."
• Faced with her kind offer, Theodore felt too embarrassed to refuse.
• Seeing him hesitate, Summer jumped off the scooter and handed him a spare helmet. She asked, "What's with the formality? You helped me once; I'm helping you now. We're even!"
• This guy was so reserved, she thought to herself. He's clearly struggling, yet still insists on being polite. Doesn't he know taking a cab, bus, or subway costs money? He should save what he can!
• "Get on!" Summer shot him a glance and asked, "What are you waiting for?"
• Theodore felt a little awkward as people started to glance in his direction. He swallowed his pride, put on the helmet she gave him, and awkwardly perched himself on the scooter's tiny back seat.
• The scooter was far too small, and Theodore was far too tall.
• As soon as he got on, their bodies pressed together.
• Theodore froze instantly, instinctively trying to put some distance between them.
• "Don't move," Summer said, pressing down on his arm. "Hold onto my waist and sit tight!"
• "What?" Theodore thought he must have misheard.
• Did she just ask me to ... hold her?
• Summer glared back at him and chided, "I said, hold on! What if you fall?"
• Before he could protest, Summer grabbed his arm and wrapped it around her waist.
• She twisted the throttle, and the scooter shot forward!
• Out of reflex, Theodore tightened his grip around her waist.
• Beneath his hands, her slim waist was surprisingly strong.
• Though delicate, it gave him an unexpected sense of security.
• The wind carried the scent of her hair, a mix of fresh soap and shampoo, and a hint of something uniquely belonged to a young girl, all of it teasing his senses.
• Theodore suddenly felt parched.
• He had never been so physically close to a woman before. At this moment, his heart pounded wildly.