The cashier, seeing such a handsome customer flashing his cash so generously, was
caught off guard for a moment. After she came back to her senses, the man had already
left.
Vivian and Aaron were strolling on the other side of the street. As they walked, Vivian was
pointing out the local attractions.
Meanwhile, Gordan strode menacingly along the opposite side of the road.
The streetlights were dim, but the brilliant lights emanating from the quaint shops lining
both sides of the road painted a contrasting brilliance. It gave him a clear view of the
actions of the two people across the street.
A man with a basketball was walking toward Vivian and Aaron. After he was bumped by his
buddy, he teetered dangerously, seemingly on the verge of falling toward Vivian's
direction.
Aaron, sharp as ever, immediately put his arm around Vivian's shoulder. He shielded her to
his other side.
With fluid grace, Aaron effortlessly lifted Vivian and cradled her with one hand on her
shoulder. It caused her feet to leave the ground.
Even though it was only for a second, Vivian was startled. As soon as her feet touched the
ground, she let out a sigh of relief.
She was soaring into the air all of a sudden, and in the blink of an eye, she found herself in
a different spot.
"Ms. Vivian, I'm sorry," Aaron apologized. After all, it all happened suddenly, and this was
the only way to keep her safe.
"It's alright. You just caught me off guard," replied Vivian, realizing that he did it to keep
her safe.
The two guys next to them also realized what happened. The one with the basketball
apologized to Vivian, “I'm sorry. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Vivian replied in English, telling him that she was unharmed.
The man heaved a sigh of relief, feeling glad he did not bump into anyone. The foreign
man in front of him seemed like trouble, and he did not want to mess with him. Recalling
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtthe man's move just now, he gave a thumbs-up and praised, "Bro, that was impressive."
Aaron did not understand English. The gesture of approval, however, was universally
understood across the globe. He replied with a goofy smile in return.
In Russia, he would have probably kept a straight face.
However, they were not in Russia. Their boss made it clear that this kind of attitude did
not fly in A City. Hence, it would be best to keep a friendly face and avoid looking too
serious.
Moreover, their young lady did not appreciate them sporting serious faces. She said it was
intimidating.
The man understood that he was not mad when he saw Aaron's smile. Thus, he left with
his friend.
"Let's go," said Vivian.
"Alright. The people here seem pretty polite," Aaron could not help but mention it to
Vivian.
"Russians are actually polite too, but since you guys are often involved in fights and
conflicts, the people you encounter tend to be like that.
"When you treat ordinary folks kindly, they won't treat you poorly either. It's all about the
social context." Vivian let out a sigh. She was not a fan of violence.
However, back in Russia, her family had no other choice.
If Ray were to soften up, those people would not turn kind because of it. Instead, they
would keep encroaching on their family's interests.
That was why Vivian enjoyed her time in A City. At least, none of those troublesome
incidents happened here.
Gordan, who was across the street, watched how Aaron rescued Vivian. He could not help
but let out a cold snort.
What a show-off...
He was dissatisfied, thinking that Aaron was just being overly dramatic.
It was just a little bump. What harm could Vivian possibly suffer?
With her sturdy frame, how could she possibly fall apart from just a bump?
Gordan was getting more and more irritated as the thoughts filled his mind. He could feel
the displeasure building up inside him, almost bursting out of his chest and throat. He was
tempted to pick a fight with Aaron.
Aaron escorted Vivian to the entrance of the residential area.
Vivian stopped and said to Aaron, "Alright, I'm here. You should head back to the hotel."
"Let me escort you till you're downstairs," replied Aaron, showing no intention of leaving.
Vivian shook her head and pointed to a taxi waiting nearby. "We're at the entrance of the
community.
It's safe here. Strangers can't get in. Don't worry. There's a taxi right there. Go back and
rest."
"Ms. Vivian..." Aaron was still worried.
Vivian commanded, "Get in the car now. It's an order."
She never thought of using her status to pressure Aaron, but if she did not, he might insist
on taking her all the way to the downstairs of her apartment.
After all, they were in A City, and Aaron was unfamiliar with this place. She could not let
him go without making sure he got into the taxi safely.
Also, Vivian could not understand why Ray would send Aaron, who struggled with English,
here for the job. Ray had many people who were proficient in English by his side.
In A City, those who could speak English were able to get around with ease.
As someone who could not speak English, Aaron had to rely on mobile translation apps
and gestures...
Aaron frowned when he heard what she said. He stared into her eyes for a moment before
reluctantly nodding.
Vivian watched him get into the taxi and communicate with the driver. Then, the car drove
away.
Once the taxi was out of sight, she walked toward the entrance of the residential area but
did not go in. Instead, she approached the man who stood by the green belt. "Gordan
Norton."
The man's body tensed. When he was about to turn around and leave, he heard Vivian
saying, "I know you've been following me."
Gordan stopped. He wanted to explain, but he felt like his throat was stuffed with cotton,
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmand he could not utter a word.
"Gordan, I don't know why you're still tailing me. Your previous concerns have been
addressed. There's nothing more to discuss. Besides, we're officially divorced. I won't
meddle in your affairs, and I hope you won't disturb my life either," Vivian calmly stated.
She was fully aware that he had been following her.
When she left the elevator, she had even overheard Aaron and Gordan's conversation.
Honestly, she had felt a fleeting excitement knowing that Gordan was trailing them.
However, soon after, that flicker of joy was swiftly snuffed out by him calling her an ugly
woman.
She did not know why Gordan was following her. Perhaps he was not following her but
Aaron.
He could have been assigned a task that was related to Ray.
In his eyes, she had always been a monster, someone who should be alone. Anyone who
got close to her was treated as though they were dealing with a freak. It was quite
bewildering.
Being in love with an ugly woman was embarrassing.
Gordan had never liked her, and she should not have any expectations.
Vivian looked at Gordan, who remained frozen without saying anything. She felt a pang of
pain in her heart.
She had initially wanted to say, 'Gordan, we're divorced'.
Yet, here she was, unable to be that straightforward.
They were already divorced. What was the point of saying so much?
Gordan would not feel sorry at all. He was not even here because of her...
"Gordan, there's an old saying in A City—let bygones be bygones. We're no longer related
to each other. Please stop following me or anyone related to my brother. Otherwise, I'll
inform Ray."
Informing Ray about this would undoubtedly spell trouble for Gordan.
Even if he could manage to escape in A City, he would not be able to do so abroad.
Vivian knew she could not let him go yet. After all, she had loved him for so many years.
Even after seeing the truth for what it is and going through a divorce, her feelings still
lingered...
Still, she could at least act like she did not care.