Chapter 4 (Dangerous Solace)

"TAKE THIS. IT'S MY GIFT TO YOU." Russell said and brought the card closer to Esther. "It's up to you how you will use it."

"Thank you, but I can't accept it anymore. You have done enough for me. I can't repay you if I took that card," Esther said as she pushed Russell's hand.

Russell sighed. He took Esther's hand and placed the card in her palm. "I loaded five million onto the card. It's my gift to you."

Esther's eyes widened. "Five million? Seven digits?"

Russell was amused because of Esther's reaction. "Yeah, it's my meeting gift. You're smart. I know you will use it in a good way. I trust you."

Esther looked at the card in her hand. Then she looked at Russell. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me," Russell smiled. "I have already told you. You're smart. That's why you reached for who you are right now. You relied on your own effort."

Esther smiled. Though she never gets her family's support, her benefactor always supports her in the things she wants to pursue. Russell always sends her letters to motivate her and help her in her studies. Because of this, she was forever grateful to him and she would never forget his kindness.

"Esther, as your elder, I can only advise you. Don't let anyone control you. If you don't want to do something, don't do it. You are for yourself and not for anyone," Russell said with his serious voice as he looked Esther in the eyes.

Esther was about to speak when she saw the two people who had entered the restaurant. "They're already finished? That was fast." She muttered.

"What are you saying?" Russell asked.

Esther shakes her head. "Nothing." Then she took out her phone and took a picture of Nate and Edelyn. Edelyn was like an iguana clinging to Nate. At that scene, she wanted to vomit.

"Who are you looking at?"

"My fiancé."

Russell stilled. "Fiancé?" he fisted. He knew that man. He is the current CEO of Aquino Company. And he is up to no good.

Esther nodded. "My parents wanted me to marry him because of the ten million dowries. At first, I wanted to marry him because I admit that I fell in love with him, but that feeling was long gone. I was always suppressed by him. I cannot do what I want. He was forcing me to become the woman he wants and not the woman I want to become," she stated while looking at Nate and Edelyn. She's been here for almost two hours. Of course, Nate and Edelyn are finished with their private affairs. But she doesn't care anyway. She only cares about her own affairs.

"So, what's your plan right now?" Russell asked.

"I don't want to marry him. So, I was gathering evidence to show my parents. I wanted them to cancel the engagement."

"I can help you," Russell offered.

Shaking her head, Esther smiled. "No need. This is my own affair. I can take care of it. Thank you, Russell."

"If you need my help, just call me. Peter gave you my number. That jerk. He actually acted on his own." Russell clicked his tongue.

Esther smiled. "You and Peter knew each other?"

"We're colleagues."

Esther nodded. Then she looked around the restaurant. It's not bad to have your own business. She's been dreaming of having her own café. She really wanted to have it, but with the money that Russell gifted her, she could finally build her dream.

"Russell."

"Hmm?"

"Let's go. I have something to tell you."

Russell nodded. "Alright."

Esther covered her face, so Nate couldn't see her.

"Let's go to my car." Russell helped Esther to cover her face, then he pulled Esther to his car.

They entered the car.

"I wanted to make a business plan. I wanted to build my own café."

Russell smiled. "Really? I know it will be successful."

"But I wanted to ask for your guidance." Esther smiled and was pleased because of Russell's trust that she would be successful in the future. "Please."

"Sure. No problem. Come into my company. Make your business plan there. And if you don't know some things, I can teach you."

Esther smiled. "Thank you, Russell."

"But can I get a free snack when you successfully establish your café?" Russell asked.

"Of course," Esther immediately said as she smiled widely. "You're my benefactor. I thought before that you were an old woman. I can look up to you as my mother, as my idol, but I was actually ashamed when I met you today. It turns out that you were not an old woman but a handsome man."

"Then how will you look up to me?"

"My elder brother."

Russell smiled. "Whatever you want. Let's go to my company."

"Let's go. I want to see your company too. By the way, do you have siblings?" Esther asked.

"I'm an only child."

Esther's lips formed an 'o'. "Then I'm your only sibling?"

Russell nodded.

Esther was happy about it. Finally, she could tell that someone was there for her. Someone who can be her solace when her family will hurt her again.

Esther looked inside the restaurant. Nate and Edelyn were so sweet. Their sweetness wanted her to vomit. Just like what she said, she won't marry Nate. She will find a way to break up their engagement. She doesn't want to be killed by Nate in the future.

Though Nate looked kind on the surface, he was already a rotting corpse inside. She has heard many rumors about him and she can't ignore those rumors. Because sometimes, even if it was just a rumor by ordinary people, it was true. Nate must have found some ways to silence the media. Money can make people talk, but it can also silence people.

Arriving at the Velasquez Technology, Russell parked the car in the parking space reserved for him. Then they both entered the exclusive elevator. When they arrived at the top floor, the president's office, everyone was stunned to see the President of Velasquez Technology with a woman by his side.

"Who is she?"

"She's beautiful."

"Is she the President's girlfriend?"

Esther covered her face because she noticed that all the employees were looking at her. She tugged Russell's coat and hid herself.

Russell just smiled and let Esther make him her shield. He knew that Esther was uncomfortable with the attention she was getting, so he faced his employees. "Get back to work," he said, emotionless.

They quickly obeyed and returned to their respective jobs. But when Russell turned away, the employees' eyes followed them.

"Good afternoon, Sir." Kate greeted the President, then her eyes settled on the girl beside him. Kate was also asking herself if the woman beside the President was his girlfriend. This was the first time in history that President Velasquez of Velasquez Technology brought a woman to work.

Russell nodded to Kate. He opened his office and let Esther go inside before he followed, closing the door behind him.

"Wow." Esther was amazed by Russell's office.

Russell's office was spacious. The desk was made of glass, the papers and pens were neatly arranged, and the leather chair was behind it. The walls were adorned with awards and recognitions and the shelves were lined with books on business strategies, management, and leadership. There was also a set of sofas at the corner of the office.

Esther sat on the chair in front of the glass desk.

Russell took out his phone from his pocket and called his assistant. "Come into my office."

"Yes, Sir."

Russell ended the call and sat on his swivel chair. He took the folder from the arranged folders on his table and gave it to Esther. "You can have it as your basis. Also, there are many books on the shelves that can help you. You can borrow them."

Esther smiled. "Thank you. You're so nice." She opened the folder and looked at the content. She got excited and looked at Russell. "This could help me."

"I'm glad."

A knock on the door got Esther's attention, but she remembered that it was Russell's office, so she went back reading.

"Come in," Russell said.

The door opened, and his assistant came in.

"Prepare a new table and a chair in my office," Russell ordered with his emotionless voice, making Esther wonder.

Russell spoke to her with a gentle voice, but he suddenly became emotionless when talking with his assistant.

"I'll prepare right now, Sir."

Russell nodded. Then he picked up his phone from his table and texted something to Lester. 'Investigate the CEO of Aquino Company. I want to know everything.'

Lester slightly bowed his head and left.

Esther was focused on reading the business plan that Russell lent to her. She wanted to learn and get new ideas on how to craft her own business plan. She didn't notice that Russell was staring at her.

Russell smiled. But his smile disappeared when he remembered that Esther had a fiancé. And that man was not loyal to Esther. He actually dated his fiancé's sister. Sighing, Russell leaned on his swivel chair and tried to distract himself by reading a book, but his attention was always shifted to Esther, who was just in front of him, focused on reading.

When he financially supported Esther in her studies, he had her investigate and find out about Esther's situation. Esther had the enthusiasm to study, so he had given her the chance to prove herself, even though her family was not that good to her. Esther suffered from her own family. He thought that by supporting Esther financially, he could help her. And yes, he helped her. But he didn't expect that one day, he would-

"Russell." A wave of the hand in front of his face made him come back to his reverie.

"What were you saying?"

Esther smiled. "I'm leaving. I'll come back tomorrow. You promised you would help me."

"Of course, you are always welcome here."

"Thank you, Russell." Esther stood. "I'm leaving."

"Be careful on your way back."

"Got it." Esther left.

Russell looked at the box of cinnamon rolls. He opened it and picked up a piece of cinnamon roll from the box. He took a bite, and savored the taste before swallowing it. "I hope I can get close to her," he said as he stared at the Cinnamon Roll on his table.