Chapter 27
Sage shot Michael a smile. “I’ve just registered for a kickboxing class.”
Delight fleeted across Michael’s expression. “What a coincidence! I’m a trainer who specializes in kickboxing!”
It really was a coincidence.
Sage thought the next time she’d meet Michael would be at a business meeting where they’d negotiate about the collaboration. She didn’t expect to see him so
soon.
“I guess I’ll be seeing more of you in the future,” Sage said smilingly. “Have fun working. I’ll be leaving now.”
“Wait, miss!” Michael called out.
“What is it?” Sage asked.
Michael offered shyly, “I don’t know how to repay you for the kindness you’ve shown me back then. Why don’t I treat you to a cup of joe?”
Sage just smiled while shaking her head. “Perhaps next time. I don’t want to take up your time since you’re working at the moment.”
“It’s fine. Actually, I’m about to get off work,” Michael said hurriedly.
He had a youthful face, to begin with. The sight of him looking so anxious made. him seem like an inexperienced and gullible teenager.
Sage could finally understand how older women felt when they laid their eyes on vulnerable young men like Michael. She could practically feel her heart go out to
him.
Her lips curled into a small smile. “In that case, I’ll take you up on your offer.”
“Okay! Just give me a moment, yeah? I’ll be back as soon as I change my clothes!”
Michael acted very quickly. He had already exited the sports complex by the time. Sage reversed her car out of the parking slot.
1/4
+15 BONUS
“Get in,” she said.
Michael got into the car while looking at ease.
Sage said jokingly, “I’m not that good at driving, so you’d better be prepared for what’s about to happen.”
“It’s fine. I trust you,” Michael responded seriously, his clear eyes boring into Sage’s eyes.
For some reason, she felt responsible for his safety. This elicited a light giggle from her.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“What would you like to drink? It’s my treat.”
Sage thought for a moment before replying, “Let’s go to a coffee shop.”
She had always been a huge fan of lattes when she was still studying at her university. There was one time when she wanted to share her favorite beverage
with Ian.
One day, Sage spent almost an hour lining up just to buy a hot latte which happened to be the most popular drink at a well–known coffee shop in the university town. When she handed it to Ian, he claimed that he took his coffee black and that he would never drink low–quality coffee.
“Ian, the coffee powder is made of high–quality coffee beans, and the milk is super fresh. I assure you that it’ll taste great. Just try it out, alright?”
Back then, Ian was probably in a rush to use the elevator, so he accepted the latte reluctantly.
After Sage washed her hands in the restroom and walked out, she noticed an extra latte nestling inside a trash can when she walked past it.
She was saddened by Ian’s heartless act for a moment. Then, she thought she shouldn’t like the things that Ian clearly disliked.
Since then, Sage no longer drank lattes.
+15 BONUS
Right now, Sage thought that she must have been dropped on the head as a baby. Why else would she act like a total idiot in the past?
Ian was the one who didn’t appreciate her efforts of going to great lengths just to buy him a latte. In that case, why did she put the blame on herself?
“Miss, you don’t have to take my financial situation into consideration. I have a few part–time jobs, so I can always treat you to a nice cup of coffee or even a glass of martini at the bar,” Michael quickly explained.
Sage just giggled in response. “I’m not looking down on you. I’m really craving a latte right now.”
Michael rubbed the back of his head bashfully. “I know a shop that makes a great
latte.”
Sage drove to the coffee shop with Michael navigating her the whole time. Business at the coffee shop was booming, that was for sure. The customers visiting the establishment were mostly youngsters.
“What would you like to drink, miss?” Michael asked.
Sage decided to remind him. “Just call me Madam Joyner from now on.‘
She might be 23 years old this year, but her experiences in her past life gave her a feeling that she was mentally in her 30s.
It was weird for Michael to call her “miss” the whole time.
“No way! It’d make you seem so old!” Michael shot that idea down on the spot.
He added seriously, “The reason why I call you ‘miss‘ is because I don’t know
your name. The truth is, you look like any other university student out there.”
Sage had to admit that she was pleased to hear Michael’s reasoning. Women loved to be showered with compliments, especially when said compliments came from a young man as pure–hearted as Michael.
“I’ll have a rose latte. Less syrup, more milk.” Sage gave her order afterward.
“Got it!”
Soon, Michael was done placing the order for both of them.
+15 BONUS
While he waited for the beverages to be served, he said to Sage, “Miss, think of the sum you paid for my tux as a loan you’ve given to me. I’ll work hard at earning money so that I can clear the debt.”
Sage shot Michael a look. “It’s fine. There’s no need for you to pay me back. Besides, you didn’t get that tux for nothing. I’ll ask you for a favor in the future, that’s for sure.”
“Just let me know when you need help. I’ll definitely do all I can for you.” Michael was persistent about the payment. “But I still need to pay you back. I’ll add you on Venmo so that I can pay you back in installments.”
At the end of the day, Michael was just a pure–hearted young man who had yet to be exposed to the ugly nature of society. If another shrewd person were in his shoes right now, they’d be more than eager to hound Sage for more benefits.
To think that Michael was eager to pay Sage back for the tuxedo!
No wonder he had countless fans supporting him in the future.
Sage’s admiration for Michael grew exponentially. “Alright, then. I’ll do as you say.”
She opened her Venmo app and added Michael there. Just then, their beverages were done.
While Michael went to collect their beverages, Sage decided to search for Michael on the social media app she frequently used.
At that moment, a series of loud notification sounds blared from her phone.
