Chapter 21: His Gift
Chapter 21: His Gift
There was a low chuckle in her ear as Joshua whispered, “Don’t be nervous. I’m just helping you fasten your seat belt.”
When she heard Ariel and Summer giggle, Hazel couldn’t help but blush. She turned to look out of the window, awkward.
She protested. “I’ll do it myself…”
But before she could finish, Joshua said in a low voice, “It’s done.”
After he moved his hands, Hazel acted as if she had been granted a pardon; she quickly turned her head around, but her lips touched Joshua's cheek.
Hazel’s eyes widened, and she stiffly leaned back against the seat of the car.
Joshua's eyes were slightly darker. He looked a bit startled, then turned to Hazel and whispered, “Naughty.”
Then within a moment, he sat up straight as if nothing had happened.
Hazel quietly heaved a huge sigh of relief, and her heart feels stupefied.
She thought... Joshua was sure to play a trick on her again, but he didn’t.
When they arrived at a restaurant, Ariel and Summer ordered a large meal without hesitation.
“That is so much food. Will I be able to finish it all?” Hazel frowned.
“Don’t worry. We won’t spend all the Prince’s money,” Summer couldn’t help but joke. “Are you trying to help him save money now?!”
“...” Hazel was gloomy. It was clear, that is what she had meant!
“Feel free to order.” A smile curved Joshua's lips.
“Thank you, Prince Charming!” Ariel and Summer shouted appreciatively.
Hazel couldn’t help but put her hands on her forehead.
“Hazel, this is for you.” Joshua put a gift box in front of her.
“I don’t want it.” She shook her head quickly.
“Please open it and take a look first,” He whispered.
“Please! Please!” Ariel and Summer urged her.
Reluctantly, Hazel opened the gift box. There was an elaborate pen inside.
“I don’t need a pen.” She pushed the box back to Joshua. “Take it back.”
“This is not an ordinary pen,” he whispered. “I have a friend who loves to invent things, and this is one of his creations.”
“Is this the kind of pen-like thing they use in the Hollywood movies that can make someone lose their memory if they look at the flash?” She couldn’t help but notice a hole in it.
“It can’t do that.” He smiled gently. “Open it up.”
Hazel reluctantly took it. She was about to open it when Joshua said suddenly, “The pen clip can be pulled out. Try it.”
***
She was a little startled and looked at it carefully. It was as if the pen clip, which was a little wide, could be really opened.
She stretched out her finger to pull it gently and pulled out a long, thin knife from the pen clip.
“Be careful. This knife is very sharp,” he said softly. “It can be used to pick locks, cut ropes, and even to protect yourself.”
She put the knife back carefully. Then she opened the pen cap curiously, but it looked like just an ordinary pen.
Seeing the disappointment in her face, Joshua took the pen and unscrewed the cap.
“This pen is actually a small cell phone.” He pointed to what was supposed to be an ink cartridge, but there was a series of numeric keys. You can make a call with this. Besides, you can pre-set a number you can call at any time. Press this button for two seconds, and the phone will dial out automatically. It comes with a global positioning system that allows searchers to find specific locations within 10 meters quickly.”
Looking at the pen, Hazel was actually feeling desperate to have it. She needed it.
She had no real use for the pen, but her mother, a policewoman, often worked in dangerous situations. She would be much safer having a small, discreet-looking gadget with her, even if she never had to use it.
But... this was from Joshua Denmark! How could she accept his gift without reason?
“Hazel, why are you hesitating?” Ariel couldn’t help but speak. “It’s such a useful gift. Why don’t you take it and give it to your mother instead?”
“That’s right,” Summer added. “Didn’t you say her birthday was coming? She could definitely use it.”
Hazel was even more interested.
Joshua's mouth tilted upwards slightly at the corners as he watched her struggle.
He knew what Ariel and Summer were talking about, and that was why he chose this protective pen for her. She wouldn’t necessarily accept other gifts, but he was pretty sure she would take this pen.
But now, she just lacked a reason.
“You can consider it a gift to make up for what I have done before,” he spoke softly. “If you don’t accept this, I will buy you something else that you will like.”
Hazel’s face darkened slightly. She got the impression that if she didn’t take it, Joshua would keep pestering her.
“Alright...” Hazel said. She was caught in a dilemma and assumed that this would be the easiest answer.
Summer and Ariel were so frustrated they could have shaken her.
Hazel was completely senseless. Joshua tried so hard to get her to accept the gift, but she was actually unwilling to take it!
“By the way, didn’t you say you found a lawyer to help me?” Hazel said suddenly.
“Yeah.” Joshua nodded. “But he wasn’t able to make it for noon. We can go to visit him this afternoon…”
“It’s unnecessary.” She hastily waved her hand. “I was going to let you know that I’m not going to sue Kyla. I just wanted to scare her for a few days. I really don’t need to hire a lawyer.”
“Okay, it’s up to you.” He nodded.
“Huh?” How could he say yes so easily? Hazel looked at Ariel and Summer blankly.
They really had a hard time holding back their laughter. How could Hazel be so dumb? An appointment with a lawyer was clearly just an excuse Joshua had made up. In reality, he just wanted to invite her to dinner!
“Here comes the food,” Ariel said with a sigh of relief. “Let’s eat!”
While the four ate and chatted, Ariel and Summer completely betrayed Hazel. They truthfully answered everything about her, no matter what Joshua asked.
Hazel was unhappy, but she was powerless.
Joshua's cell phone rang, and he left the private room to answer it.
Inside, Hazel stared at Summer and whispered, “You two are traitors! Didn’t you say this was only to introduce you to him?”
“Hazel, you really can’t blame us.” Summer spread her hands innocently as she sighed. “We didn’t turn on you, but he is persuasive.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Ariel agreed. “That man is just so pitiful that we switched sides.”
“What do you mean pitiful?” Hazel was confused, and she said in a hurry, “Didn’t you both take a fancy to him before? Don’t give up so easily! Either give him an aphrodisiac or just sleep with him. That’s what I read in novels!”
