FULL NOVELXO Chapter 76
Chapter 76
After firing off the message, Rosemary didn’t even wait for Maxwell to reply. She blocked his number straight–up and, dragging her suitcase behind her, left the real estate agency.
At a rush hour, it was a real pain to hail a cab. She decided to crash at a nearby hotel for the night, as she was totally beat from moving and house hunting all day.
“Beep beep.”
Just then, a black SUV pulled up to the curb right by her.
Rosemary turned her head. The passenger window rolled down, revealing Martin’s warm and handsome face.
“Rosemary, what’s up with you?”
“Moving. Had a deal to sign a lease around 6, but the landlord bailed last minute.” She didn’t mind spilling her messy situation to Martin, “And you? What brings you here?”
The street was home to a hospital, a bunch of no–star diners, and with its age and narrow lanes, it looked pretty rundown, a stark contrast to Martin’s whole vibe.
Martin: “Went hiking with some friends today, just got back. Hop in, can’t park here.”
Before Rosemary could object, the trunk popped open.
He hopped out, took her suitcase, and stashed it in the back, “Where to? I’ll give you a lift.”
Rosemary had just checked on her app; the nearest hotel was three kilometers away, way too much of a drag with her luggage. She obediently got into the car, “Any decent hotel will do.”
As Martin drove, he asked, “Wasn’t the old place good enough? What made you wanna move outta the blue?”
“It was fine, but Maxwell is a nitpicker. Who knows what underhanded trick he pulled to force the landlord into selling.”
Just the mention of that guy made Rosemary grit her teeth in anger, “I found another place, but just as I was about to seal the deal, that jerk messed it all up. He’s such a shit–stirrer”
Martin remained silent.
Probably no one would dare link Mr. Templeton, a man who could pull strings everywhere, with the term ‘shit–stirrer.‘
He chuckled, “Maxwell’s just being assertive. He’s doing all this just to make you cave a bit.”
He sounded sure of himself. Being friends with Maxwell for years, he knew him well. Even with his hardball tactics in business, Maxwell wouldn’t stoop to hassling a woman.
Rosemary didn’t care what Maxwell was thinking; all she knew was that he had left her homeless..
“He wants me to cave? As if! I’m not his mom to coddle him at every turn.”
Besides, that whole mess was on him from the get–go.
Martin glanced at Rosemary, whose gaze was fixed ahead, with her lips pursed, rendering her naturally radiant face even more animated.
He pursed his lips and looked ahead; after a moment of hesitation, he said, I’ve got
an apartment not too far from here. If you don’t mind, you can stay there for now, and move out when you find something that suits you better.”
Rosemary thought it over; it was impossible to rent a new place in short order. If she went to a hotel, not only would it be expensive, but she also risked being kicked out by Maxwell; it was not like he hadn’t done such a mean thing before.
She didn’t want to bother Martin, but under the circumstances, it seemed like the best option.
In Maxwell’s eyes, she was just an accessory, while Martin was practically a brother. He would never hassle his buddy over her
“Thanks, I’ll pay you rent.”
Martin wasn’t bothered about the money, but since Rosemary insisted on paying, he didn’t refuse.
They pulled up in front of the apartment complex, and Martin pointed down the street, “That road’s lined with restaurants, and there’s a mall at the end, pretty convenient. There’s no cooking in the apartment.”
Rosemary didn’t mind; she was usually swamped with delicate work, and too exhausted by day’s end to even think about cooking.
Martin took her up to the 27th floor; as this is a high–end apartment, there’s just a few units per level. Though he didn’t live there, cleaners came by weekly to keep it spotless.
“There’s fresh bedding in the closet, washed and ready to use.”
Rosemary: “Thanks.”
It was awkward for Rosemary to be alone with a man, given her marital status, so Martin didn’t linger, “Settle in. If you need anything, just give me a call, and I’ll text you the–cleaner’s number. If you don’t want strangers in your room, just tell them to skip the cleaning.”
“Martin.” Rosemary stopped him, “You’ve been a huge help. Let me treat you to dinner as a thank you. If you’ve already eaten, we can reschedule for another day.”
Martin’s smile lingered, “Let’s go, I’m starving after a day of hiking.”
Since it was her treat, Rosemary picked a seafood buffet that matched his status.
They just reached the cashier when a cheery female voice called from behind- “Sis!”
Rosemary recognized that voice instantly, and her mood soured on the spot.
Before she could turn around, Stacey had cozied up and grabbed her hand, “Sis, what a coincidence!”
Her words were directed towards Rosemary, but her gaze lingered on Martin, fluttering like stars, as she softly uttered his name, “Martin,”
She had been waiting for Rosemary for days, not even scoring a chance to ask Martin out for dinner, let alone getting his contact.
But fate seemed to think she and Martin were destined, so they ran into each other in the vast Greenwood of all places!
If this wasn’t a match made in heaven, what was?
Martin turned to Rosemary, “Who’s this?”
Rosemary introduced Stacey with indifference, “This is my dad’s daughter from his new wife, Bitch Stacey.”
Martin said nothing.
And there Rosemary stood, all nonchalant, with no hint of joking.
Stacey forced a smile, “Martin, pay no mind to her nonsense. She loves to joke around. I’m Stacey, just got back to the country recently; we met at the exhibition.”
She then turned, glaring daggers at Rosemary with a venomous whisper, “You still want your mom’s keepsakes?”
After that, she turned back to Martin, “Although my sister and I have different moms, we’ve always been close. Today, my treat.”
Chapter 76
Finding Rosemary not saying a word, Martin whipped out his phone, ready to settle the bill.
But Rosemary tugged at his sleeve and said to Stacey, Then it’s on you.”
Martin insisted, “Rosemary, c’mon, I’m the guy here. Since when does the guy let the lady foot the bill?”
“If you’re rolling in dough, donate it to the kids in the poor mountain areas. She said she’d treat, so naturally, it’s her turn to pay.”
In the end, Stacey forked over the cash with gritted teeth!
“Martin, this one’s on me, you can get the next one.”
It’s a good chunk of change, after all. If it can’t buy her a one–on–one dinner, talk about a bad deal!
Stacey looked at Martin with sparkling eyes, full of a young girl’s pouty charm and innocence. When she’s serious about someone, her eyes are all about him; such look can really stroke a man’s ego.
“Martin, I saw you last time at the expo. My sister said she’d introduce us, and I thought she was just pulling my leg. Who knew she’d actually get you to come out today!”
Chapter 77