CHAPTER 72: PHOEBE
WINTER’S POVNôvelDrama.Org owns this.
“Winter, do you want to go modelling? I can refer you to my agency.” Ian asked me while we were having coffee.
I shook my head. “I already told you I am not interested to any profession that has something to do with cameras, right?”
“I know, but you are born to be on the spotlight and to be the star. Even if you keep running away from it, for sure it will keep on following you. Besides, you’re just going to be a model, not a celebrity.”
“But that’s what comes next to that.”
“Your name has been cleared already, Winter. We were able to track down every people who leaked those false rumors and scandals about you, so why are you still afraid to come back as a celebrity?”
I heaved a deep sigh. “I don’t want to Matthew and Elisse’s life in danger. I want to live as private as much as possible now. You know what? I actually realized that living peacefully is what I have been craving for. Right now, I feel like I am free.”
“Looks like I can’t change your mind now, huh?”
“I’m sorry, Ian. Thank you for your suggestion and all your help. But I won’t really go back there anymore.”
“I understand. So, what are you planning to do instead?”
I took a sip of my coffee before looking at him again. “Well, for now I am planning to build my own boutique. You know how much I love fashion.”
“I see. If you need help, just tell me. I can be one of your models, too.”
“Oh, I guess I’ll need your help there. Thank you so much for your help, Mr. Ian. I can’t believe I’m having a coffee with the most popular male celebrity in the country.” I teased him.
“Me, too. I can’t believe I’m having a coffee with the next fashion queen in the world.”
I shook my head while smiling. “You’re over exaggerating everything.”
While laughing with Ian, my gaze darted towards a woman with long wavy hair wearing a pink sweater paired with a pair of black jeans standing at the counter, probably waiting for her order. She seems to be close to the man at the counter because they were laughing together. At first, I thought I was just mistaken, but then I saw her smiled and saw those dimples on the corner of her smile.
“Phoebe?” I mumbled.
Ian, who was still talking about his restaurant, paused for a while and looked at me with confusion. “What? What did you say?”
The woman just took the cup of coffee from the man at the counter and even waved before leaving the coffee shop.
“It’s Phoebe. It’s really her!”
“What are you saying? Phoebe? That nerd who tried to kill herself before?”
I nodded my head. I could feel the tears filling my eyes. “She’s alive… I can’t believe it… Phoebe is alive!”
“Winter, didn’t she flew abroad with her brother? Maybe you just mistook that woman and thought she was Phoebe when she’s actually not.”
“No, I can’t be mistaken. I’m really sure that’s Phoebe.”
“But–
Before Ian could even finish what he was about to say, I stood up and walked over to the man at the counter.
“Ma’am, is there anything I could help you?”
“T-That woman who just stepped out of this coffee shop. That one wearing a pink sweater, do you know her?”
“Huh? You mean, Phoebe?”
I glanced at Ian who was already standing beside me before nodding my head. “Yes, Phoebe.”
“She actually works here as a waitress. It’s her off today, so she just dropped by to see us for a while. D-Do you know her, Ma’am?”
“S-She works here?”
“Y-Yes.”
“O-Okay. Thank you.”
After that, Ian and I already decided to go. I couldn’t stop myself from smiling while we were on our way home.
“Don’t tell me you’re planning to go back there to see Phoebe?”
“That’s right. I will go back there tomorrow. Wait, should I buy something for her? It’s been a while since we last saw each other, I don’t think she still remembers me.”
“Of course, she does. How can she forget the woman who ruined her life?” Ian kidded. “Just kidding. By the way, I’ll go with you tomorrow.”
I looked at him with furrowed brows. “Don’t you have filming tomorrow? You don’t have to accompany me, Ian. I can handle myself, anyway.”
“But you know how much that woman hated you. You don’t know, maybe she’s still mad at you and does something that would hurt you.”
“Of course, she won’t. Phoebe isn’t like that. She will never hurt anyone.”
“Winter, it’s been years already. People change. Hatred grows even more.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll just ask her to have some coffee with me, anyway. I don’t think she would hurt me inside the coffee shop.”
“But she could slap you.”
“I can handle myself. If she slaps me, then let her. I won’t die with a single slap, anyway. And besides, I think I somehow deserve that.”
Ian heaved a deep sigh. “You’re such a hard-headed woman. Whenever you want something, you really make sure you will get it.”
“You know me really well, Ian.”
“By the way, we’re already here. Go inside now because for sure, your fake husband would accuse me of kidnapping you if you ever arrive late again.”
I laughed. “He’s just worried of me. Anyway, I’ll go inside now. Take care, okay? Bye!”
“Bye, hard-headed woman.”
I even waited for him to drove off before going inside the house.
“Miss Winter!!” Elisse immediately rushed towards me to give me a hug.
“Hi there, sweetie.” I looked around the house to find Matthew, but I didn’t see him. “Is Matthew inside his room now?”
Elisse shook her head. “He hasn’t arrived yet, Miss Winter.”
“What? But it’s quite late already.”
“Maybe he has a lot of work to do.”
I just nodded my head.
I wonder what keeps him so busy. He doesn’t usually stay this late in our company. Whenever he still has work to do, he’ll just bring them here and finish it inside his room.