I really need that five million of the design competition now.
So I call Nicole quickly to ask her how to register and the exact theme of the competition.
She is very happy when she hears that I want to participate in it and tells me all directly.
"The theme is about lovers, the same as the one in France that we have taken part in before, but this
time the venue is in the United States and your design work should be based on the American culture. I
think you’d better go to the United States and live there for a while."
'Go to America?' I hesitate.
I can't leave Penelope alone. How can I go to the United States?
But if I don't get the prize money, I can’t afford the medical bills of Penelope at all.
I have no choice.
There is still a month from the deadline of the competition and to design a work I must involve myself in
the resonant material to get inspiration.
I quickly book a flight ticket to the United States. There is no economy class left, so I buy the first class,
which I never do before.
Anyway, what I really need is a ton of money not the price of a plane ticket.
I pack up my stuff and head to the airport the next day.
I leave Penelope to my mother and all my savings as well.
Penelope needs regular blood transfusions to prevent her illness from deteriorating and I will be away
for at least a month, so they need a lot of money at hand.
I take a taxi to the airport. Unexpectedly, when I arrive at the airport, I see Terence.
He still wears a cap and beneath it are his alert eyes.
To be exact, he comes looking for me.
"How do you know I am here?"
I look at him and ask doubtfully.
"I've been keeping a good eye on you these past few days. Since I’m teaming up with you, I need to be
cautious about your every move."
From his tone, I can feel a faint of distrust.
And I quietly understand. After all, he has been betrayed by the person whom he trusts and loves the
most, so he hardly trusts others now.
"Okay. I'm going to the United States to participate in a competition." I nod at him.
"Are you still in the mood to participate in the competition? Or are you short of money? If you need it, I
can help you," he says.
I know he's rich, but I don't want him to know too much about me and get him involved in my business.
What’s more, I don't want to owe him any favors.
Without Hilda, I wouldn't even have known him.
I shake my head and refuse, "Never mind. I just want to participate. You know I like design very much."
Just as he opens his mouth, his phone suddenly rings. He takes a look at his phone and whispers,
"Hilda and Frances are at the airport. I have to leave now."
He has to hide his whereabouts, so he naturally can't let Hilda see him.
As for me, I don't want to meet them either.
After thinking for a while, I decide to pass through the security and just enter into the waiting area.
Then I board the plane.
To my surprise, they are actually on the same flight as me.
They are the last two persons I want to see but I just can't escape them.
I sit near the corridor and they sit across the aisle from me.
Between her and me is only an aisle.
...
The plane flies into the stratosphere and a flight attendant begins to serve drinks.
"Hot water, please!"
I say in a low voice.
The flight attendant nods to me and pours me a glass of hot water.
When she is about to hand it over to me, she suddenly loses her balance and falls towards me.
The hot water splashes upon my hands.
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