Hearing that, Lucia came back to her senses and smiled apologetically at Paula and Kirk.
"Sorry, maybe I’m too tired from working today."
Kirk curled his lips and expressed his understanding.
"It's okay, Lucia.We'll take you back once the food is served and we finish eating.You have a flight to
catch in the morning, so go back early and get some rest."
Lucia nodded and said softly, "Okay."
Paula, who knew Lucia so well, could see that she was not tired from work, but had something on her
mind.
When Kirk went to the restroom, Paula couldn't help but ask, "Lucia, what's wrong with you?"
"Nothing."
Paula raised her eyebrows knowingly.
"Nothing? Just now, you have been distracted all the time.Tell me honestly, are you thinking about
aman?"
Lucia couldn't help but laugh at what Paula said, but she knew Paula was right.She kept thinking of
August's face, which was unpleasant.She wanted to stop thinking about him, but her mind was out of
control.
Lucia took a deep breath.She slightly leaned over closer to Paula and asked in a low voice, "Paula,
why do you think I keep thinking about August?"
Hearing that, Paula had a look that a gossiper would have on her face.She kept winking at Lucia.
"Do you need me to tell you? Isn't it obvious? Because you love him!"
"Nonsense!"
Lucia’s face instantly flushed red and she subconsciously denied it.
"It’s not possible."
"Why not?"
Paula looked as if she was right.
"Just think about it, why aren't you thinking about Kirk or my brother all the time tonight? Why are you
just thinking about August?"
Those words were like a pot of cold water that made Lucia a little more clear-headed and sensible.
After pausing for a few seconds, she shook her head and said in a firm tone, "That's impossible.I hate
him.Maybe I’ve seen too much of him lately."
She would never consider a womanizer like August, who had many love affairs.
In addition, she had experienced an unpleasant marriage with August, so how could she possibly fall in
love with him? Thinking that, Lucia assured Paula once again, "I'll never fall for him, really."
When Paula heard that, the corners of her mouth turned up ina subtle smile, but she pretended to
believe what Lucia said.
"Alright, I believe you.It's best if you don't love him, or my brother will definitely feel sad when he finds
out about it"
Hearing Paula teasing her, Lucia laughed and said nothing more when she saw Kirk coming over.
After dinner, Kirk volunteered to drive them home.
On the way, Paula kept talking as if to lighten the mood.
When they arrived at the entrance of her neighborhood, Lucia asked Kirk to stop the car and said
goodbye to them before she pushed the door open to get out.
Just as she was about to close the door, Kirk suddenly spoke up and stopped her.
"Lucia."
At the sound of his voice, Lucia turned to him and asked softly, "Yes, what is it?"
Kirk tried to say something, seemingly having a lot to tell her.
However, Paula was still sitting in the car, so he paused and pointed to the flowers on the passenger
side, saying, "You forgot to take the flowers."
Lucia looked over and saw the lone bouquet sitting there.
Feeling sorry, she hurriedly went over to pick the flowers up and smiled at him apologetically.
"Sorry, I didn't see them just now."
Kirk looked at Lucia tenderly and said softly, "It’s okay.Just go back and have a good night."
Lucia nodded at him and then waved at Paula before turning to walk into the neighborhood.
As soon as she got through the gate, her phone suddenly dinged and she picked it up to see that it was
a message from Paula.
"Tsk, tsk! Kirk is really smitten."
Then her phone vibrated again, and it was an emoji from Paula.
Looking at the two messages, Lucia could almost imagine the tone in which Paula said that.She curled
her lips without replying.She knew very well in her mind that she had no feelings for Kirk.
It had nothing to do with time.
She didn't have any feelings for him two years ago and neither did she now.
For her, it was better to think more about her work than to concentrate on a romantic relationship now.
Besides, her father had to have surgery and she must prepare for it.
With her mind made up, Lucia quickened her pace.
Back at her apartment, she checked the things she had packed, got ready for her flight the next
morning, and went to bed early.
The next morning, Lucia woke up before her alarm clock went off.
After getting everything ready, she pulled her luggage out of the apartment and went straight to the
airport by taxi.
After more than four hours, the plane arrived at Bearlin Airport.
Getting off the plane with her fellow passengers, Lucia felt a distinct wave of heat coming over her.
She was already covered in sweat when they arrived at the terminal by shuttle bus.
Luckily, a representative from Teda Corporation came to meet them at the airport.
The group got into the vehicle prepared in advance and went directly to the hotel where they had
reservations.
At the hotel, Natalie assigned the rooms after they checked in.
Each of them got a single room with a large bed, which was pretty good.
They were all very excited and kept chattering.
"Come on, Lucia.Your room is opposite mine!"
Linda from the Marketing Department enthusiastically took Lucia's hand and went straight into the
elevator.
Once inside the elevator, someone immediately asked, "Natalie, what are our plans for this afternoon
and evening?"
"We'll have the afternoon off.In the evening, Teda will entertain us for dinner.No need to wear anything
too formal.We'll gather in the lobby at seven o'clock in the evening."
"Okay!"
"Jimmy, do you want to go shopping this afternoon?"
"Yes, Jane, are you coming?"
Hearing that they would have the afternoon off, they all excitedly began to make plans.
Lucia looked at the happy group, and the corners of her mouth turned up as well.
Linda turned to look at Lucia and asked, "Are you coming, Lucia?"
Lucia shook her head and said lightly, "No, I'll take a rest."
In her room, Lucia finally had some peace.
After a shower, she closed the curtains and went to sleep.
When she woke up at six o'clock, she simply got cleaned up and went to the lobby.
The dinner party was hosted by receptionists from Teda Corporation.
Since they were also from Cannada, the exchanges went well without any obstacles and the
atmosphere was pleasant.
It was over after an hour or so.
When they came out of the restaurant, they were all free to move around in groups of two or three.
Linda took Lucia’s hand and asked, "Are you going back to the hotel, Lucia?"
Lucia smiled at her and said softly, "No, you can go back first.I'll go and buy a phone card."
Although she would be in Franksfurt for just a few days, she still missed Mr.and Mrs.Mitchell and
wanted to talk to them over the phone.
When Linda left, Lucia read the map and found a store that sold phone cards.She stopped a taxi and
asked the driver to take her there.
It took less than half an hour to go there and back.
The taxi stopped at the entrance of the hotel.
Before she got out, Lucia asked about the fare.
"How much is it, Sir?"
The taxi driver could speak a little English.
He showed her four of his fingers and said, "400 FRD."
Lucia was a little stunned when she heard that.
400 FRD was about 15 dollars.
It was a short trip to and from the store.
How could it cost that much? Moreover, she didn't have much FRD on her.
After buying a phone card, she only had less than 200 FRD left.
Was the driver deliberately asking for a higher fare because she was from Cannada?
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