Since she came here, probably her mood and life became better. The doctor said that her baby
developed quite steady and healthy in her belly.
As long as she waited for a few months peacefully, she could give birth.
When Stella arrived home, there was a finance newspaper in the yard.
She put the bag on the table and was about the take the knitting wool to Dolores. She caught a glimpse
of two words in the newspaper: “Conrad Group”.
Recently, because of the marriage for convenience between Conrad Group and Jason Group, there
was a tremendous shareholding change inside the former, which had been occupying the headline of
the news for several days.
Stella guessed that Clarence must be too busy to have spare time. No wonder he didn’t have the
energy to find her.
Right then, Dolores walked out of the house. Seeing that Stella was reading the news, she asked,
“Why? Are you also interested?”
Stella immediately returned to her senses. She smiled, “Nah. I just read it at random.”
Dolores looked over at the newspaper. After a thought, she asked, “Are you from City N?”
Stella nodded, “Yes, I am.”
Dolores seemed to want to ask Stella something, but she swallowed her words on the tip of her tongue,
“Have you bought the knitting wool?”
“Yep.”
Stella handed the bag to her. She said, “Ms. Anderson, I shopped for my clothes on the way back. I’ll
wash yours before returning them.”
Dolores said indifferently, “Forget it. Just keep them. I won’t wear them anymore.”
After finishing her words, Dolores turned around and walked into the room.
In the evening, the tenant next door knocked on their door, “Good evening, Ms. Radomil and Ms.
Anderson, I bought some desserts. It’s too much for Ms. Beckham and me, so I want to share them
with you.”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtUsually, the neighbors would always share things with each other. Stella didn’t overthink, so she
accepted his kindness.
On the second day, she also bought some fruits on the way back home. Then she gave the fruits to
them.
However, something that happened next truly surprised her.
“Hi, Ms. Radomil. This is my hometown specialty mailed by my mother. Please try it.”
“Ms. Radomil, my friend bought me some chocolates from overseas. I’m not into sweets. I’m sure you’ll
love it.”
“Ms. Radomil, I got two movie tickets from my company. If you have time, shall we go see a movie
tonight?”
Even if Stella was pretty slow, she sensed something wrong.
After Alexander Hans left, Stella turned around with the ticket in her hand, looking confused.
Dolores was knitting in front of the stone table, “This should be the fifth time that he came over and
sent you something in the past two days, right?”
“It seems so...”
“This young man is pretty nice. I heard that his parents are teachers. He’s working in a state-owned
company. His job is stable. He’s reliable.”
Stella was sitting next to her. For a moment, she lost her tongue.
Dolores looked up and cast her a glance, “Won’t you consider about him?”
Stella smiled, “Ms. Anderson, you don’t know my status yet. I’m...”
“You are pregnant, aren’t you? What’s so surprising about it?”
Upon hearing it, Stella widened her eyes, “How do you know it?”
“What’s so weird about it? There are a huge group of mid-aged women in town. All of us have given
birth before. When you arrived here on the first day, all of us knew you are pregnant.”
Dolores added, “You came here to restart your life. Why do you still care so much about your past?
Alex seems to like you a lot. If you want to consider him, you can ask him about his opinions on your
pregnancy when seeing the movie with him tomorrow. Love is based on the choices of both parties.
You can try to take a step forward.”
Stella said, “I’m afraid no man would accept it.”
“There’s always an exception. How would you know if you don’t have a try?” Dolores said, “You can
make it clear and he would know the reason why you turn him down. If he accepts it, he will come to
you. If not, it’s good as well. He won’t bother you again in the future.”
Stella was silent.
The method was simple and direct, which was the most efficient one.
Stella had never aimed to hide her pregnancy. She just felt that she didn't have to tell others. When her
belly became bigger, others would know it.
Much to her surprise, Alexander showed up.
After a thought, she said, “I’ll make it clear to him tomorrow.”
Dolores picked up the finished knitting work, “Stella, how do you like it?”
It wasn’t until now did Stella notice that Dolores had been knitting a pair of baby’s stocks.
...
At half-past six of the next evening…
Stella wore Dolores’ dress, standing in front of the movie theatre.
Shortly, Alexander rushed over with sweat oozed on his forehead, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. There’s traffic
on my way. I ran here all the way. I’m not late, am I?”
Stella smiled and said, “No, you are not. The movie will start in ten minutes. You arrive just in time.”
Alexander breathed a sigh of relief, “That’s good. Let’s go in.”
Stella didn’t move, “Mr. Hans, I want to talk to you.”
“We can talk afterward. My coworker told me that this movie is quite good.”
Upon hearing it, Stella nodded in agreement, “All right.”
This was the first time that Stella came to a movie theatre with someone alone besides Sherry.
Fortunately, during the movie, Alexander didn’t talk much. He focused on the screen.
After the movie ended, Alexander stretched, “Ms. Radomil, are you hungry? Let’s have dinner.”
Stella said, “A bit. Let’s go.”
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmStella paid for the dinner. After knowing it, Alexander insisted to transfer the money to her, “I asked you
out today. How can I let you pay for the dinner?”
Stella smiled, “It’s alright. You paid for the movie tickets. I should treat you for dinner.”
Alexander sensed her implication. However, he wasn’t reluctant at all, “My company gave the tickets for
me for free...”
“It’s OK. No different.”
Out of the restaurant, Alexander whispered to ask, “Excuse me, Ms. Radomil. May I call your first
name, please?”
“Sure.”
“Stella, I’m twenty-nine this year. My parents are teachers in the county of my hometown. They have
retirement wage and pension, I’m also...”
“Excuse me, Mr. Hans,” Stella interrupted him in a gentle voice, “Thanks for telling me the information.
But I don’t want to see someone for the time being. I just want to bring up my child by myself.”
Upon hearing her words, Alexander was a bit anxious, “Stella, you are a girl. You’ll find it’s quite
inconvenient for taking care of your baby alone. I’m willing to be with you.”
Stella wasn’t surprised that he had known it, “We’ve just known each other for a half month, and we
don’t know each other yet. Besides, I don’t think your parents would agree.”
“We can try to fall in love gradually. As for my parents, I can tell them that I’m the father of the child.
They would be very happy!”
Stella shook her head, “You are just obsessed by me because I’m quite different from other girls you
know. I don’t think your current feeling would last long.”
“But...”
“Mr. Hans, thank you for inviting me to see the movie tonight. I’m taking off now.”
After finishing her words, Stella turned away.
The moonlight was pure and bright tonight, falling on the ground. The night was peaceful and bright.
Stella walked along the river, kicking a stone, enjoying herself very much.
Suddenly, the stone stopped next to a stone bench not far away.
On the bench was sitting a man.