Chapter 60

"I'm not sure, but I will try." I answered truthfully. "It doesn't matter. I'm grateful for your help. Oh, one minute." Orva put down her snacks and picked up a small box from the stall. There were small exquisite pendants in the box. Orva held the box with a bright smile. "Kelly, this is my gift for you. Choose two pendants, and I will add them to your bracelet." "Well, thank you." I chose a black "K" pendant and a white "S" pendant from the box. "You are welcome. I heard that Cultural Tourism Street had a new boss. He's promoting this street to make it popular. My business prospers now. I will treat you if you come here again." Speaking, Orva did not forget to show me her statement of account. I was shocked when I found that her income today was more than one thousand dollars.  "Your business is highly profitable! You will earn over ten thousand dollars one month!" "Yes. I have enough money to fend for myself in the coming semester if I can continue my study. I feel greatly indebted to the new owner of this street." When I was still in shock, a teen girl came over and handed Orva ten dollars. "A bracelet, thanks." There came a new order, so Orva said, "Kelly, sorry that I have to work now." Looking at the back of the busy Orva, I smiled. Orva didn't know that this street was a gift from Carroll to me.  However, I didn't participate in the management of this street. Carroll should take credit of its success.  I felt happy that I could help Orva. Back at home, I found the food container on the table. Harris's shoes were still at the hallway.  The door of the study was tightly shut, and there came the conversation from inside. After one touch on the food container, I asked Rose, "Did they stay inside for the whole afternoon?" "Yes." Rose lowered her voice. "Mr. Carroll seems unhappy." "He didn't scold you. Why are you so nervous?" Smiling, I took the food container into the kitchen. The porridge was cold, so I intended to warm it.  In less than ten minutes, a porcelain bowl was full of warm porridge.  I left the bowl at the table where Carroll usually sat and sent him a message. "I brought you the yummy porridge. Do you want to try?" Then, I attached a photo of the porridge to the message.  Carroll instantly responded: "Not bad." "Hurry up. It'll get cold soon!" In less than one minute, the door of the study was open. Carroll was decent, but the two people behind him, especially Harris, looked awful. Harris had two loose buttons, and his shirt was messy. Moreover, he looked dejected.  Jason wasn't much better than Harris.  I couldn't help laughing. "Why are your clothes and hair so messy?" Carroll washed his hands, sat in front of the bowl of porridge, and ate gracefully. He didn't forget to answer me. "They thought that pulling hair can help them think." "Kelly, you're stingy. Didn't you buy some food for me?" Harris leaned on the table feebly and greedily stared at Carroll's food. "It's very expensive. I can't afford two shares!" I replied. Carroll put down the spoon and said blandly, "Come on. Without this bowl of porridge, you two would still study mines inside." "Thank you, the Brown couple. Jason, get me something to eat." Hearing Harris, Rose came to her senses and said, "The dinner is ready for you two. You may wash your hands first." Only Carroll and I were left in the restaurant now.  I rested my head on Carroll's shoulder and did not say a word. After the last mouthful of porridge, Carroll held me in his arms and asked softly, "Aggrieved?" "No. Owen did a good job. I don't think Laura will mess with me again." I adjusted my posture in Carroll's arms.  I felt like a kitten who ate its fill.  Carroll couldn't help but tease me. "People ask for comfort after their defeats, but you look sad after the victory." I didn't feel sad till Carroll said so.  My eyes turned red in an instant. Before my tears rolled down my face, Carroll lowered his head and pressed his lips against mine. This kiss was different from the last one. It was passionate.  Carroll's soft and hot tongue reached as far as it could in my mouth. I felt Carroll's rapid breathing and restrained desire. I wanted to push Carroll away but got addicted to this feeling. Smelling the unique wooden fragrance from Carroll, I unconsciously put my arms around his neck. "Ahem, ahem, ahem! Can't you restrain yourselves in public? After I got a lecture at work, do I have to watch you display your affection?" This sarcasm woke me up, and I bounced away from Carroll. Carroll, however, didn't panic at all. He rubbed her lips as if he didn't want to end the kiss yet. "Do I need to choose the location to kiss my wife? If you're jealous, find yourself a wife." For the first time, I heard Carroll call me his wife in front of outsiders. To be honest, I was very happy. Meanwhile, I felt embarrassed. Covering my flushed cheeks, I ran away from the dining room.  Back in my room, I lay on the desk and did the homework absent-mindedly. I relished the memory of the kiss just now.  On the desk, there was the small pendants that Orva had given me. Black and white, what a good match! Just like my relationship with Carroll! We were from two different worlds but couldn't separate from each other now.  Right then, my phone rang. I picked up the phone, and Opal instantly roared on the phone. "Kelly, what did you do? How could you announce Odette's identity in public? Did you ever think of her future?" "None of my business! Did she think of my future when she tried to kill me?" Sneering, I hung up the phone without hesitation. To my surprise, the phone rang once again in less than a second. I was enraged. I picked up the phone and shouted, "Don't you know when to stop? If you insist, I'll give the evidence to the police to convict Odette." After a moment of silence, a sweet female voice came from the other end of the line. "Hello, Kelly. This is a call from the police station. Do you know Orva?" I said awkwardly, "Sorry, what can I do for you?" "Orva, seriously injured, is now in a coma in the hospital. We checked her mobile phone. She was editing a message for you before the attack. We need your help for the investigation." "Oh, okay." Shocked, I couldn't believe what I had heard. Orva, who had chatted with me a few minutes ago, was in a coma! Why?