Helen’s POV:
The caregiver waited for my mother at the hospital gate.
Even as my mother’s back disappeared from my sight, I still didn’t want to leave.I’d never felt that a
weekend was very short until this moment.
There were a lot of things I still wanted to do with my mother and tell her.I wanted to catch up with her
and take her home, but my sanity told me not to do that.
"Come on.Don’t be so sentimental.You’ll see each other again.A week will pass so quickly, you won’t
even notice it!"
Lucy grumped when she couldn’t stand to watch me staring at the hospital gate anymore.She grabbed
my hand and pulled me towards her car.
I was pushed into the passenger seat and Lucy got in behind the wheel and drove me home.
"You know what? You look like a mother taking her kid to kindergarten for the first time," Lucy
complained.
"You are right.In fact, my mother didn’t want to go back to the hospital.If I didn’t have to work, I would
take care of her by myself.I’ll feel better that way," I explained.
The doctor said that my mother was at the stage where her recovery would be aided by being around
family.
Unfortunately, I was my mother’s only family and I needed to work.So I compromised by bringing my
mother home on weekends and taking her back to the hospital during the weekdays.
"Don’t be sad.Your mother will recover soon,"
Lucy comforted me, patting me on the shoulder.
"Let me tell you the truth.You will soon get tired of living with your mother.She will nag you every day to
get married.You can imagine how annoying that is.You’ll soon grow afraid to even go home."
Lucy’s mother occasionally came to New York to stay with her for a few days.
In those days, Lucy usually couldn’t stand her mother’s nagging and came to live with me.
"I don’t mind my mother nagging me to get married at all." I laughed helplessly.
"If she wants me to marry, I’ll find someone." I could find someone who was simple and had nothing to
do with Jane.
He would never hesitate between Jane and I.
"Forget about George.The right person has always been in front of you, but you’re not paying
attention," Lucy quipped with a smirk.
"Are you saying you’re the right one?" I asked with a light laugh.
"Don’t talk nonsense! I’m only interested in men.I was actually talking about Phil Mason.He’s been
doing really well lately.And the most important thing is that he doesn’t hide his feelings for you
anymore.He takes good care of you and also helps you with your work.You’re both very well matched,"
Lucy concluded in a very rational voice.
"Phil?" I repeated, examining Lucy’s points with all the concentration of a scientist carrying out
experiments.
Phil had a strong professional ability.
Although he looked like a ladies’ man, I knew he was very self-disciplined and honest.
Besides, he was well aware that my mother was in the hospital.
Some time ago, I was searching for a new hospital to admit my mother in, so I needed time off work
every day to do my research.
As my supervisor, if he hadn’t given me his permission, things would have been a bit more difficult for
me.He was very concerned about my mother’s illness and had never frowned on her conditions.
"You and Phil are both lawyers, so you have a lot in common.Besides, you work at the same law firm
and naturally have more time to bond with each other.Although Phil is not as handsome as George, he
is the ideal husband for many women in your law firm,"Lucy continued her thorough analyzation as she
drove.
"Forget it.I don’t want an office romance.If it doesn’t work out, I may end up losing my job.It’s not worth
it."
I smiled, shaking my head.
Even if I didn’t have to leave, it would be too awkward for us to work together after we broke up.
"All these are excuses.You’re just not over George yet," Lucy snorted.
"I can understand.After all, you’ve been with a man as perfect as George.It must be hard for you to
accept anyone else."
Why did she mention George again?
"Don’t talk nonsense." I wanted to wrap this up as soon as possible.
"I just hope I can talk some sense into you.George is not for you.Don’t waste your time on him.Time
does heal everything, but starting a new relationship is a quicker way to get over someone.For now,
Phil is your best shot to start over," Lucy said.
‘I know," I agreed Lucy was right.
No matter how much I loved George, it couldn’t change the fact that we were not meant for each other.
It turned out that Lucy was not only persistent but accurate in her matchmaking efforts as well.She
found several opportunities to get me closer to Phil in the following days.
Phil’s apartment was in the same direction as mine, so he offered me a ride to and from work.
Before, I always refused his offer because I knew I could never be with him.I was still very firm in my
stance.I didn’t want an office romance, and I… In all honesty, I was not over Georve vet It wouldn’t be
fair to Phil if I decided to date him when I still had feelings for someone else.
Besides, the most important reason was that Ilonly respected Phil as a senior.I didn’t love him as a
man.
However, Lucy still tried to fix us up.She even asked Phil to drive me to and from work without asking
for my permission.I stared at her angrily.
"I am not in the mood to have a relationship with someone for now.If you think Phil is so good, why
aren’t you going out with him?"
"He is not into me, neither is he my type."
Lucy grabbed my hand in hers and patiently tried to explain her point to me.
"Phil has showed his affection for you.Why don’t you give him a chance and also give yourself a
chance to move on? If you really can’t be lovers, you can still work together."
Phil and I were working on the same case.Now we were almost inseparable because we went to work
and had meals together every day.
With Lucy’s help, rumors of Phil and I dating each other spread all over Zhester Technology.
Ever since the rumors spread, our colleagues started to look at Phil and I with teasing smiles.
A few times, they made jokes or innuendos.
Instead of setting them straight, Phil would just smile at them.
One day, Phil drove me home after work and I decided to use the opportunity to clear the air.
After deliberating for a long time, I finally spoke when I was sure that I had organized my thoughts.
"Phil, I want to apologize on Lucy’s behalf.As you know, she is fond of matchmaking.I’ll clarify the
rumors about you and me as soon as possible."
"Helen, you know I like you very much," Phil said seriously, looking at me.
"If you want, we can try dating.I know I may not be Mr.Perfect, but my financial condition is not bad.At
the very least, I can guarantee you a comfortable life.I will try my best to take good care of you and
your mother."
It was the first time I had heard such a direct love confession.
No one had ever offered to help me take care of my mother before.
For a minute, my stance wavered.
Just as Lucy said, Phil was indeed an ideal husband material.
We had a great deal in common to talk over, and he was willing to help me take care of my mother.
Maybe I should date Phil? Perhaps he was the one I could lean on for the rest of my life.
But was it fair to Phil? Even if he was willing to take the responsibility and burden off my shoulders,
should I let him do it? No, I couldn’t.
"I’m sorry, Phil.You are too good for me," I replied in a grave tone.
Phil didn’t get angry at my rejection.
Instead, he smiled congenially.
"It doesn’t matter, Helen.I only wanted to express my love to you.You don’t need to feel pressured.As
colleagues, we still have a lot of time ahead of us.You don’t have to give me an answer in a hurry."
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