Chapter 9 Chapter 9

Allen was taken aback at first, as if realizing something, and his gaze quickly turned darker.

Kimberly, half awake and half asleep, blinked at him, dreaming in confusion.

"Why are you staring at me? I have work tomorrow, stop messing around."

As soon as her words fell, she yanked Allen down onto the bed, buried her head into his chest, and adjusted herself into a comfortable position.

Allen's forehead twitched, gritting his teeth and shouting, "Kimberly!"

His tone was low, carrying a hint of danger.

Kimberly's eyebrows knitted slightly, she snuggled closer into his arms and fell asleep again.

Who does this woman think he is?

Allen lowered his eyelids. The woman's sleeping face came into view, the bedside lamp casting a soft, warm glow over her face, making her look as innocent as a newborn kitten.

In that instant, the man was somewhat spellbound, but it only lasted for a moment.

He removed the little hand resting on his body and stood up without any expression.

Kimberly was startled awake by his movements. She opened her misty eyes, looking both innocent and pitiable.

Allen's gaze was half-lidded, his slender fingers pinched her chin, "Don't play with fire, or you'll get burned. Understand?"

The man's deep voice, combined with his unintentionally emitted dangerous aura, caused Kimberly to sober up a bit.

He is Allen, not Scott!

She subconsciously shrank her neck, looking at him with fearful eyes. It was apparent that she was frightened.

When she completely woke up, Allen had already left.

Heartbreakingly, Kimberly sat on the bed with a pale face, somewhat aggrieved in her half-drunk, half-awake state.

So sinister, the power of habit.

Kimberly grabbed the hangover remedy from her bedside table and washed it down with water.

Post-drinking side effects, dry mouth, and parched tongue, she drank half the bottle in one go, finally putting it down only when her stomach felt full.

With her phone powered on, countless missed calls and messages hopped on the screen.

Scott, even the note displayed the sweetness of the past.

She didn't check the content of the message but with teary eyes, she deleted them all and blocked the number that once rolled off her tongue.

In the following days, Allen never appeared, and Scott also seemed to have evaporated from the earth.

In less than a month, Scott and Hazel were getting married; he must be busy planning the wedding...

After the lunch break one day, Kimberly lay her head on the desk, on the verge of dozing off, hugging a pillow.

Resting her chin on the pillow, hunched over and squinting at the keyboard as she typed.

Suddenly, her office chair was kicked from behind, which scared her into turning around!

Nelson stretched out his long legs and gave her a lazy smile, "Little buddy, what are we having for lunch? Get something for your bro too."

Kimberly warned, "Nelson, if you kick my chair again, I'll break your leg!"

"Bring it on!" Nelson extended his long legs toward her, with an especially provocative smile on his face.

Nelson was a new employee who joined the company two months ago, always fond of joking around with her. Knowing his character, she didn't pay him much mind.

With a poker face, Kimberly picked up her water cup and rose to refill it in the pantry.

Stretching his neck out, Nelson called after her, "Kid, it's just a joke, you're not mad at me, are you?"

A colleague nearby reproached him, "Why do you always pick on Kimberly? It's only due to her good temper that she doesn't retaliate. Otherwise, your legs would've been pulverized by now."

Nelson asked with curiosity, "What's up with her these past few days? She seems in a foul mood."

"I don't know either," The colleague shrugged their shoulders, "Shall we head to the cafeteria?"

"Never mind." Nelson went back to his seat, his expression thoughtful.

Meanwhile in the pantry.

Just as Kimberly made a cup of tea, her phone suddenly vibrated.

It was Scott's Robinson mother.

She stared at her mobile screen blankly for a few seconds, then took a deep breath and answered the call once she regained her composure.

"Aunt, do you need anything?"

Jane spoke softly, "Kimberly, your uncle has arranged a dinner with the Watson family at Ramon Pavilion tonight, please join us."

"You and Scott have been on excellent terms since you were kids. Not to mention, you're good friends with Hazel. Now that they're about to get married, you can't miss this occasion."

Kimberly didn't want to go and gently declined, "Aunt, I have to work overtime tonight, I may not be able to make it."

However, Jane was insistent, "I understand that programmers often work extra time, but it's Scott's important day. As his beloved sister, he'll be sad if you don't come."

"Moreover, this is also your Grandpa Robinson's wish. Talk to your boss about taking a leave. I'm sure he'll understand."