Cecelia suddenly held ir''s hand and said with much emphasis, "Just be yourself. Don''t hold back."


    "What?" ir was confused.


    "I heard from your uncle that you used to be upbeat, outgoing. Cheerful, even. You''re a lot quieter now, maybe because your parents died. ir, you''re like my own daughter. Do what you want to do. Be who you want to be. Okay?"


    The kind mother''s warm words touched ir''s heart. Tears sprang to her eyes and they flowed down her cheek. "Okay..." she sobbed.


    ''Cecelia is so great. I wonder if she really could be my mother-inw.'' ir felt a little sentimental, uncertain about her future. ''If Wesley and I can make it work.''


    The night grew deeper. The two women didn''t stop chatting until the small hours. At that point, Cecelia had to give it up and close her eyes to sleep.


    Listening to Cecelia''s steady breathing, ir stared at the ceiling, pondering what had happened earlier that night.


    She wondered if Wesley also had feelings for her. Otherwise, why would he keep snatching every chance he had to kiss her? Or was it just how men act around women?


    Before she closed her eyes to take some sleep, she checked the time on her phone. It was already 4:10 in the morning. No wonder she was tired! Shey back, closed her eyes, and slowly drifted off to sleep.


    Not even three hourster, Wesley opened the door to the apartment. It was quiet inside. It seemed like the two women weren''t awake yet.


    He put the breakfast he''d bought in the kitchen and then walked back to the living room, dialing a number.


    A sleepy voice mumbled, "Hello... Who is it?"


    "It''s me." Wesley''s voice jarred ir awake. She abruptly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was Cecelia''s sleeping face.


    "I''m in the living room," Wesley said.


    ir checked the time. Way too early. ''Why is he so eager to go shopping with us?'' she wondered.


    She quickly got out of bed, put on her slippers and quietly opened the door. Then she made sure to close the door behind her after walking out.


    Seeing here out, Wesley hung up. He was curious of her careful movements.


    Meeting Wesley''s eyes, ir suddenly realized that she hadn''t freshened


    kly typed the message with one hand. "I need some money. I''ll pay you back when I get my paycheck."


    "No problem. How much?"


    ir paused for a while. "How much can you afford?"


    Joslyn rolled her eyes. "Your cousin has given me quite a lot. What are you going to do? Twentyrge enough?"


    "Um... probably not. Maybe fifty thousand? Can you?" ir stole a nce at Cecelia. Every item on the nobledy''s body was luxurious.


    "Don''t tell me you owe someone money."


    ir''s lips twitched. "No. Wesley''s mom is with me. We''ll go shopping soon and I think I should buy her a gift. What if she wants something expensive?"


    "So are you and Wesley in a rtionship now?" Joslyn asked outright.


    ir replied, "No. It has nothing to do with him. His mom is awesome. I simply want to get her something."


    "Okay, okay. I''ll wire fifty thousand to you in a minute. But what if she picks out something worth five hundred grand? Will you buy that too?"


    "No. I can''t afford anything like that. I''ve got limits, and I won''t overspend." ir had a monthly wage of more than ten thousand dors. She could return fifty thousand to Joslyn within half a year.


    Joslyn wired the money to her and added a message. "Okay, as long as you know what you''re doing."


    Wesley''s eyes had been glued to her the whole time. But oblivious to his intent gaze, ir texted her friend, drinking soybean milk. "Thanks, my friend. Oh, right. Don''t tell my cousin."