Chapter 135
I guessed I just had to save my own face and say, “Can’t do nothing about it. Working with Mr. Zade, if he just snaps his fingers, not to mention getting up early and braving the cold. I wouldn’t dare say ‘no‘ even if he asked me to collect dew from the treetops.
It was just some passive–aggressive talk, wasn’t it? Anyone could play that game.
No sooner had I finished speaking than Shirley’s attention shifted to Hogan’s face. “Mr. Zade, what kind of task have you assigned to Ms. March, leaving such a gorgeous woman feeling so wronged?”
Hogan lifted his eyelids, all chill and breeze. “Just some trivial stuff.”
Hearing him brush it off like that. Shirley glanced my way but didn’t press further. She quickly changed the subject to the day’s agenda.
“Our hotel’s hot springs are famous far and wide. Now that Mr. Zade is here, you’ve got to give it a proper go.
Thank goodness for the famous hot spring they had, known for its mineral–rich waters that attracted tourists all year round. It made sense for Shirley to invite Hogan.
But getting into a hot spring meant swimsuits, and those two alone.
If you asked me, President Stapleton sure had a trick or two up her sleeve when it came to wooing someone.
I sneaked a peek at Hogan and, the next second, heard him agree. “I’ll follow your lead.”
He actually said yes.
“Ms. March doesn’t have any plans, right?” Shirley suddenly looked up at me with a friendly face, “Then come along with us.”
If I took that seriously, I’d be denying all the savvy I’ve picked up from Wallis over the past two
years.
So, I made an excuse. “Sorry President Stapleton, I didn’t plan on hitting the hot springs when I packed, and I don’t have a swimsuit with me. I’m afraid I can’t join you and Mr. Zade.”
I liked to think I knew when to step forward and when to step back. I wasn’t looking for Shirley’s approval with my move, just trying to avoid making more mistakes. But right after I finished talking, she said. “No worries. Ms. March, our resort sells swimsuits. That’s not an issue.
I was a bit taken aback. Shirley actually didn’t mind me joining?
Something told me this might not be a good thing. But with her putting it that way, I really couldn’t find a good reason to say no and just had to say, “Then I’ll go with President Stapleton’s arrangement.”
An hour later, the four of us arrived at the famous hot spring.
At the changing area, Shirley led me into the women’s changing room. The cubicles were neat and clean with great privacy.
Shirley looked at me and pointed to one in the corner. “Your swimsuit is in there; you can hang your coat here.”
She was so detailed it made me uneasy. I thanked her, hung up my cashmere coat and stepped into the cubicle.
It took me five minutes to get changed into the swimsuit. Luckily, the swimsuit was pretty standard, which eased some of my worries.
But just as I was about to step out in my swimsuit, I found the door jammed. After a few tries, it still wouldn’t budge.
To make matters worse, since phones couldn’t be brought into the hot spring. I’d locked mine in the locker while changing. Meaning, I had no way to ask for help.
I wasn’t foolish enough to think this was just a coincidence. If I wasn’t wrong, this must be one of Shirley’s schemes.
Fine by me. I never wanted to get involved in her and Hogan’s drama. Dodging it with this kind of “accident” was more than welcome.
But what I didn’t expect was that, being locked up aside, the temperature in the room started to drop suddenly.
