Part 16
A fun ride and a surprise date.
Unlike the roaring stream, the car carrying Philips and Chi back to the City was quiet. The two of them rarely communicated, but quietly observed each other, then made their own assessment.
-This girl is really pretty, her beauty is simple and quiet, but very natural and extremely attractive. It was also surprising that behind that innocent and gentle appearance was a toughness and handling ability that even Ha and her father praised.
Philips drove while observing Chi through the rearview mirror. I was impressed with you from the smart way you handled things after being molested, plus Ha’s compliments, today seeing Danh trust you like that, the impression became even better and deeper.
Chi sat in the back passenger seat, she looked at Philips from a side angle and spoke to herself in her heart.
-He looks quite like you, from the high nose, deep eyes and thick eyebrows, the only difference is that he is much whiter than you. He probably resembles his mother in this point. But why does it always feel like the father and son are a bit distant?
One time, Philips saw Chi looking at him, seeing that questioning look, he smiled and asked.
-Do you have a question for me?
-He is as perceptive as you.
She commented in her heart before asking.
-You are the son of the General Director.
-Yes, that’s right.
-So why is your name Philips?
Actually, your name is Pham Hong Phuc, but if you pronounce it in standard English, it will sound very strange, and you studied there for 10 years so you had to change it to Philips.
Chi then nodded as if she understood, she also didn’t dare ask him about the relationship between the two of them, but he took the initiative.
-Do you wonder why your father is so cold to you?
Chi shook her head slightly, but he continued.
-Because I am a bad child, so bad that I myself cannot forgive myself, so it’s right for my father to be angry with me.
Two men with two identical sad faces, Chi comforted him with the same way she had comforted the other.
-Maybe it’s just that your way of raising children is a bit strict and different from everyone else’s, but I believe that you’re no longer angry with me and love me very much. You gave me the heart of the whole company.
Philips didn’t say anything, but for him, being a security guard and being close to his father is still better. It’s been almost 20 years and he’s always wished for this, but maybe it’s still far away.
Seeing that he seemed sad and didn’t want to continue, Chi changed the subject.
-Does Phuc often listen to music? What kind of music do you usually play when driving?
“Phuc”, he liked it, really liked this name, but it’s been a long time since anyone called him that, and like that, she touched the most sensitive area of his heart. He hid a smile deep in his heart and said,
-I often listen to Duc Tri’s music, I’m afraid you won’t get used to it, what kind of music do you like to listen to so I can find it and play it.
-Wow ha ha, same hobby as you. Let me play it for you, the song “fragile love returns” please.
-“Fragile like a familiar scent, gently passing by…when I wander beside you on a distant sunny afternoon road…”
The afternoon sun gently shone through the glass door, amidst the melodious music, they hummed a song instead of communicating with each other verbally, such a connection was gentle and comfortable for the two of them.
That afternoon, a quiet person like Phuc told a lot about Europe, where he had studied for more than 10 years. Likewise, a girl who rarely interacted with strange men like Chi freely talked and laughed, satisfying her curiosity through what he knew.
She arrived home at dusk, of course he took her to the door, she also gently responded to him with a smile.
-She is so cute.
-You and I are so similar, both close.
Two people with two different thoughts but similar in satisfaction, one of them wished the car ride would last longer.
The next day, the work cycle continued, Chi was still busy with reports, then struggled to monitor the progress of each department’s projects. Thanks to her, each of Mr. Danh’s instructions was timely and accurate. As for Chi, thanks to being by his side, she became more and more sensitive, capable and charismatic. Of course, her beauty also increased proportionally.
That day, there was a workshop on production associated with environmental protection organized by the “Department of Natural Resources and Environment”. As a pioneering enterprise in the production of environmentally friendly materials in the locality, PBK group was of course invited to attend, representing Phuc and Lam companies.
After the workshop, both returned to the General Director’s office to report. In general, the results were very satisfactory to Mr. Danh, he praised them a few sentences and told them a few things to pay attention to in the workshop, then he stood up and went out.
Lam also had nothing else to do in the city, so he wanted to go home in the afternoon.
-Mr. Lam, if you have nothing else to do, just take the car and go home first. I have some work to do and will stay for the next 2 days of the weekend. If anything comes up downstairs, please help me solve it.
-Ok, then see you early next week.
Since returning to the country, Phuc has been given a house by Mr. Danh to live in, but I’ve been too busy for the past few weeks, so I haven’t taken care of it. I want to take this opportunity to stop by the house to take a look, and hire someone to clean if needed. Besides, there is another interesting reason why I want to stay here for another day.
The General Director’s room is very quiet at this moment, only the sound of the mist machine blowing and the “clacking” sound of fingers running on the keyboard. Phuc stood up and walked towards Chi’s desk, she was busy doing something, he got very close but she didn’t even notice.
-What are you doing that you’re so focused?
-Mr. Phuc, are you still waiting for Mr. Danh? I’m listing down his appointments for next week. Do you need me to make you some tea or anything else?
Phuc really liked the way Chi called him, in Vietnam most people called him Philips, only she called him by his given name that he loved. That’s why he found it easy to open up to her, she was also the reason why he wanted to stay today.
Phuc stood a distance from Chi’s desk, his eyes stopped on the notebook she was writing. Her handwriting was round and neat, showing both her concentration and her inherent gentleness. Seeing her put down her pen, he took the initiative to speak.
-Chi, I planned to stay in the city for a day, to take care of the house, and give myself time to relax. But I left the city a long time ago. It’s strange to go anywhere now, can you recommend a place that’s a bit quiet, a bit nostalgic and close to nature, to help me?
-You like to go to places like that, so do you know a place that’s very suitable for me. The shop is small, old-fashioned, with a red brick courtyard and bougainvillea trellis surrounding it. At night, the lights are yellow, the music is soft. A bit simple, but not noisy, very suitable for chilling or sitting and chatting with friends. Wait a minute
, I’ll write down the address for you. -Or… are you free tonight? If you’re also interested in that place, I’d like to invite you along. Just hang out with me for a bit, so I don’t get lost and have someone to talk to.
Chi was quite surprised, she looked up.
-Oh… you invited me out.
-Yeah… if you’re free and also like that place… because I’m not familiar with the way, I get lost easily.
Phuc repeated, his words seemed awkward and no longer smooth as befits a director. Chi was also confused, her hand fidgeting with the edge of the notebook. She had never been invited out like this before, especially by an older, polite and very handsome man. Although she didn’t have any specific feelings for him, at this moment her heart was slightly moved.
-Yes, I’m not busy… I’ll show you the way and… stay there with you to listen to music and talk.
-That’s great, what time can you pick me up tonight?
-Around 7:30.
-Should we go by motorbike or car?
-Motorbike, it will feel more comfortable.
-Yes, that’s right, it’s not that cold anyway.
The conversation ended when Mr. Danh returned to the room. Both Chi and Phuc felt uncomfortable at this moment, Phuc asked for permission to go home first while Chi sent him back the list of appointments for next week.
-Uncle, here is your appointment schedule for next week, please check if I need to add anything.
-Very good, very complete and flexible, there’s nothing to add, I should go home early today.
-Yes, thank you, goodbye uncle.
Mr. Danh looked at Chi’s back disappearing behind the door and then pondered a bit. He knew about Phuc and Chi’s appointment because Phuc had called him to ask for his permission before today. No matter how angry he was with him, he was still his biological son. And moreover, half of the blood of the person he loved the most flowed in his veins. When choosing a wife, he also had the responsibility to find a good person for him, at least so that he wouldn’t have to feel guilty towards his wife in the Nine Springs.
But when the person he had his eye on was Chi, he felt a little uneasy in his heart, even though Chi was indeed a good woman, a very good one. He didn’t know where that uneasy feeling came from, because if he wanted to possess her, he would have done it a few days ago. Or maybe there was some seed of something budding that he didn’t or hadn’t noticed, all of that he temporarily put aside. He agreed to let Phuc invite Chi out, he was even the one who suggested that he ask her about the location and what kind of car she liked to ride.
Mr. Danh did not know, the one who found this matter difficult was Chi. Although she accepted to go out with Phuc very innocently, although she was a little moved, she did not think too far ahead. But for some reason, when Mr. Danh walked in, she felt flustered. Many times, she wanted to tell him about Phuc’s invitation, but did not know how to say it, so she had to give up.
Unlike Chi before, she just had to follow her nature in everything. Since being with him, letting her soul seep into strange emotions, she was afraid of doing wrong in everything, afraid of being offended in front of him.
– Well, it’s just a light outing, he’s also your son. Let’s have fun and make new friends, think of it that simply.