Chapter 7
The first call went unanswered. The second one didn’t answer either. She kept calling, over and over, until finally, on the ninth try, the other end answered. Hearing the calm breathing of the other party, she suddenly remembered when in high school, falsely accused of plagiarism and completely isolated, she called his number over and over again. On that occasion, he only said: “Don’t be afraid, I’m here for you.” But now, trembling, she asked him: “Did you give my sketch to her?” Hugo, without the slightest hesitation, admitted to having done it. “Yes, it was me.” A long sigh came from the phone, the voice laden with an evident tremor. “Why did you do it?” After a few seconds of silence, Hugo finally spoke. “That painting should never have been seen by the world, much less bear your name, didn’t you know that?” It turned out that he was still afraid of being discovered. It turned out that he was still worried that she had inappropriate feelings for him. Rosa sketched a sad smile and closed her eyes, full of blood veins. “But the one who copied wasn’t me, it was Ana. If you gave the sketch to her, I’ll never be able to clear my name of plagiarism! My entire career is ruined!” Ana was just confused, she didn’t do it on purpose. How about you just cover for her this once? At first, when I asked you to learn painting, it was just so you could find a hobby to distract yourself. You don’t have to take it so seriously. Anyway, I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life, you don’t have to worry about livelihood anymore.” With those words, she hung up the phone. Rosa was still holding the phone in her hand, her gaze fixed on the mirror in front of her. Looking at that tearful, swollen, and emaciated face in the mirror, she suddenly felt like she couldn’t recognize herself. Was she really that person? She didn’t recognize Hugo anymore either. Was he really the same person who, even if the entire world abandoned her, would defend her against the world? She didn’t see it clearly anymore. After the exhibition failed, Rosa was more determined than ever to pay back all of Hugo’s money. Some friends suggested part-time jobs to earn money, such as being a caddy at a golf course or a waitress at an elite club. To gather the money as quickly as possible, she took any job that paid, leaving early and returning late, hardly seeing anyone. A week before leaving abroad, she had finally gathered the last few thousand dollars. She changed into her waitress uniform and then opened the door to the private room, prepared for her last shift. Unfortunately, on her last day of work, she ran into acquaintances. A group of men and women were together, apparently playing some game. In the first round, Hugo lost. The host of the game announced his punishment in public. “Kiss the person of the opposite sex you like for three minutes!” Suddenly, the whole room became lively, everyone looked at Ana, who was blushing. Hugo, however,He stood up, crossed the crowd towards the exit, step by step, until he came in front of Rosa. Everyone in the hall froze, in an uproar. Just when everyone was confused about what was happening, after a moment, Hugo took out his mobile phone and passed it to her. “Here, record the whole process.” Rosa suddenly had a feeling, her heart trembled slightly. But at that moment, she realized that it didn’t hurt as much as before, perhaps because she had truly decided to let go, and there was nothing that could hurt her anymore. She calmly took the mobile phone, found the camera, picked it up, and pressed the record button. The quality of her mobile phone’s camera was excellent, and although the lighting was dim, Rosa could still clearly see the content on the screen. Hugo returned to his seat, pulled Ana towards him, and leaned in to kiss her. The time displayed at the top of the screen. Three minutes, 180 seconds, just in time. But the video didn’t end there. After that kiss, Hugo knelt down on one knee, took out a diamond ring from his pocket, his voice full of tenderness. “Ana, will you marry me?” He was proposing to Ana. Rosa couldn’t hear Ana’s response clearly. The two protagonists on the screen were completely blocked by the crowd, and the cries of astonishment and acclamation from all around flooded her ears. She lowered her hand and pressed the button to stop the recording. Just then, the manager passed by and told her that there were new customers next door and they needed her help. She passed the mobile to a nearby colleague and walked away from the room. She didn’t stop for a moment.The two protagonists on the screen were completely blocked by the crowd, and the cries of astonishment and acclamation from all sides filled his ears. He lowered his hand and pressed the button to stop the recording. Just then, the manager passed by and told him that there were new customers next door and they needed his help. He passed the phone to a nearby colleague and walked away from the room. He didn’t pause for a moment.The two protagonists on the screen were completely blocked by the crowd, and the cries of astonishment and acclamation from all sides filled his ears. He lowered his hand and pressed the button to stop the recording. Just then, the manager passed by and told him that there were new customers next door and they needed his help. He passed the phone to a nearby colleague and walked away from the room. He didn’t pause for a moment.
