Chapter 11
This sudden intimacy frightened Yolanda all of a sudden.
It was fine when the word "brother" came out of her mouth, but when it came out of Aaron's, it sent a chill down Yolanda's spine.
What happened to him?
Yesterday, he was still cold to her. But now, he started to act like he was her endearing brother?
Could it be that her revelation of her true feelings last night touched him and awakened his long-lost conscience?
Apart from this, she couldn't think of anything else that made him change so much all of a sudden.
She had no clue that he could actually be a sentimental man.
The door to the front passenger seat was open. Aaron stood by the door, waiting for Yolanda to head over.
She paused. After taking two steps forward cautiously, she stopped again.
Wait a minute, he seemed to be affectionate out of his conscience now. What if he calmed down and lost his enthusiasm later?
At that time, would he accuse her of being arrogant and so daring that she'd sit next to him?
After all, Aaron's mood changed too quickly. Yolanda was rather uncertain about his temper.
"Do you need help?" Aaron suddenly asked her.
"Huh?" Yolanda, who was in deep thought, was stunned. Before she could say no, Aaron had already reached out.
He placed his hand on Yolanda's arm gently and walked toward the front seat slowly.
Yolanda was speechless.
Her mind went blank for a moment. In a blink of an eye, she was carried to the front seat by Aaron.
Not only that, Aaron had also helped her fasten her seat belt considerately.
Yolanda didn't know what to say.
She intended to say thank you, but she was astonished by his gesture.
Yolanda sat stiffly. Although there was no slightest emotion on her face, her head had already exploded.
What just happened?!
Did he just take the initiative to have physical contact with her?
Didn't he hate women touching him?
They were so close that Yolanda could even smell the lingering smell of tobacco on his body and feel the heat in his breath as he leaned over.
Yolanda's heartbeat instantly soared to 102.
On the other side, Aaron frowned when he saw Yolanda sitting still and upright like a puppet. "What's wrong?"
Yolanda snapped back to her senses and tried her best to hide her shock. She swallowed hard, forced a smile, and said, "Nothing. I'm just not used to my brother acting so kind to me suddenly."
It was more than not getting used to it.
At that moment, she had a strong feeling of discomfort from head to toe.
Aaron hummed softly. "Get used to it then. It's gonna be like this from now on."
Yolanda didn't know what to say.
Being so uncomfortable, Yolanda couldn't even act natural.
"Aaron, are you upset about something recently?"
"You can't just keep it to yourself when you are unhappy. Why don't you tell me about it? Maybe I can advise you."
In any case, she just wanted him to stop making fun of her.
His unusual behavior was frightening her!
Driving the car, Aaron glanced at Yolanda with the corner of his eye.
Upset?
He was rather upset indeed.
It started with a sense of guilt ever since he found out that he had wronged her that day.
It started with a sense of helplessness when he saw her crying pitifully last night.
Aaron finally realized that his 26 years of unrestrained life now had an additional burden that he couldn't get rid of.
It annoyed him.
He was used to freedom. He hated it when his life was being disrupted and when his emotion was influenced by others. He hated everything that tried to change his existence.
But after all, it was him who took her in from the door of the nursing home.
Since he took her in, there was nothing that he could complain about. Instead of being indifferent and negative, it would be better for him to be positive just like what the doctor said. He should play along with her and act as her brother in hope that her memory would be awakened sooner. In this way, she could be sent away as soon as possible, giving him peace in life.
"I'm not upset," he replied to Yolanda, "You're overthinking."
Yolanda was speechless again.
None of them talked afterward. In fact, Yolanda was secretly digesting the sudden dynamic change in their relationship.
After arriving at the villa, Aaron pulled up at the door and said, "Head back first. I've still got another date."
Yolanda asked casually while unbuckling her seat belt, "Where are you going? It's late now."
Aaron would have responded habitually, "It's none of your business." But just when he was about to blurt it out, he remembered his task at hand. So, he forced himself to take it back and replied patiently,
"I'm going out with my friend to play archery."
"Archery?"
Yolanda's eyes lit up, and the unfastened seat belt was buckled again. "That sounds interesting."
Aaron noticed her little gesture, turned sideways, and looked at her.
She blinked earnestly and said, "Aaron, I wanna play that too. "
Aaron was speechless.
His hand remained on the steering wheel for a long time, while he struggled with his internal conflict. Finally, he caved in.
After all, he had just said kindly that he would be good to her in the future, but if he refused her request to come along and play, it would be a slap to his face.
Fine.
Aaron started the car and said, "Let's go."
Yolanda was simply trying him, but she didn't expect him to agree.
She began to believe that he was truly moved by what she said last night. After deep regret and introspection, he must have realized his mistake.
That must be it!
Yolanda did not expect that her impromptu performance would solve a problem that she had been unable to overcome for so long.
What a pleasant surprise.
Ten minutes later, the car stopped at a private archery center in the capital.
Yolanda used to have friends who played archery, so she knew a little about the sport. She was not very good at it, but she knew that it was a hobby that would burn a lot of money once a person reached an advanced level.
Aaron was meeting up with a friend. From his introduction, Yolanda learned that it was Bruce Webster, a business tycoon in the domestic hotel industry.
Yolanda had an impression of Bruce. When she checked Aaron's information and interviews on the Internet, she often saw reports on the two of them. From there, she knew that they were very good friends.
"Who is this?" Bruce asked Aaron, pointing at Yolanda.
Seeing that Aaron couldn't think of a suitable word to introduce her, Yolanda took the initiative to introduce herself immediately, "Hello, Mr. Webster. Just call me Yura."
After a brief introduction, Aaron and Bruce left.
Yolanda sat at the side and watched them play.
Aaron took off his trench coat and rolled up his black shirt sleeves. Standing still while drawing the string on his bow, he looked just like the celebrities and models in the entertainment industry from behind.
Yolanda took a picture of him quietly from behind and sent it to Phoebe.
Phoebe texted back: [Who is it?]
Yolanda: [How would you rate him?]
Phoebe: [How the heck am I supposed to rate from behind? Show me from the front if you dare.]
Yolanda looked at the screen and smiled.
From the front?
She raised her head, moved her wheelchair quietly, and changed to a position where she could see Aaron's side face.
While he was not paying attention, she quickly took a few more pictures.
In the camera lens, the man was looking forward while holding a bow. His posture was upright and charming. As he shot his arrow, he looked calm.
After taking a few glances, Yolanda opened her WhatsApp again and replied to Phoebe: [Can't show you the front. I'm afraid that his handsomeness will stun you.]
Phoebe sent a contemptuous emoji and replied: [What kind of handsome guy have I not seen in our industry? I won't be stunned unless he's of Mr. Jensen's level. Just send it.]
Yolanda pursed her lips. She typed out a lot of words and attached some photos, but she ended up deleting them after giving them a few thoughts.
If she started the topic on Aaron Jensen, she believed that Phoebe would bombard her with questions throughout the night.
To play safe, she should let it go for now and tell Phoebe about it next time.
Yolanda then changed the subject and asked her: [How are you doing?]
Phoebe replied: [Just finished filming for a set. I'm resting at home now. I've got no other shootings for the time being.]
A follow-up text was then sent by Phoebe: [By the way, I have quit The Famous.]
Yolanda was taken aback and asked immediately: [Why?]
Phoebe explained: [They kicked your original account out of the group, so there's no point for me to stay there. Besides, everyone is now sucking up to Wendy Watts, and I can't act like I'm licking her boots, so I decided to quit once and for all. After all, they only let me in because of you in the first place.]
The Famous was a group made up of the second-generation rich and some famous models or celebrities in Darlington. Before Yolanda got into the accident, she was regarded as a star-like existence in the group.
Yet, at this point, they simply kicked her out.
Yolanda lost her original phone, so she couldn't log onto her WhatsApp as her verification was gone. She didn't bother to spend her time and effort in getting it back either.
Because she believed that since she lost everything in the past, she might as well let it go completely.
She was a brand-new Yolanda now.
Yolanda comforted Phoebe: [It's okay. Let bygones be bygones. We'll carry the day together again.]
As she lowered her head and texted, Yolanda suddenly felt glances at her. She looked up, and sure enough-
She didn't know if Aaron and Bruce were talking about her, but they were both looking at her now.
Yolanda's mind was still on Phoebe for a while. Hurriedly, she put on a smiling face and pretended to be well-behaved. Raising her hands above her head, she gave Aaron a hand heart gesture.
Bruce smiled faintly, turned around, and asked Aaron while wiping the bow, "She's showing you the heart gesture. Don't you wanna show it back to her?"
Aaron snorted. Fixing his gaze on the archery target, he said, "I'm not that corny."
"Not that corny? Yet you brought her home." Bruce placed the arrow and drew the string at the same time as Aaron. "Are you taking the advantage to make her yours since she lost her memory?"
"You're crazy."
While conversing, they fired their arrows almost simultaneously.
Zooming on the target, the results of both sides were clear. "What's on your mind? You don't seem to be in a good state tonight," asked Bruce keenly.
Aaron didn't reply. He lowered his head to sort out the bow and arrow. He paused for a moment and asked, "Do you know any experts that treat amnesia?"
Bruce pondered for a moment and replied, "A medical doctor from abroad gave a medical lecture in our hotel before. It seemed to be a special talk on this area. I vaguely remember that they tried a treatment method which seemed to be effective but very painful."
While saying that, Bruce turned his head to look at Yolanda, who was looking around out of boredom. "I don't think she can bear it."
Aaron didn't seem to hear the latter part of Bruce's words and said instantly, "Please give me the contact of the doctor. "
Yolanda was in a good mood after returning from the archery center.
Although she was just sitting in the stadium, it was better than going back home and facing the four walls of a third-class citizen's room. That would be boring as hell.
Moreover, watching Aaron play archery was indeed a pleasing sight.
Yolanda glanced at Aaron secretly. He was concentrating on driving and didn't notice her.
She thought about it and decided it was time for her to say something in return. After all, he took her along with him.
Yolanda cleared her throat, sat upright, and began her talk, "Aaron, you looked so handsome when you were shooting the arrows."
Aaron didn't respond.
"You were just standing there yet everyone around you was eclipsed."
Aaron was still silent.
"It's true! I saw a lot of pretty girls taking photos of you and Mr. Webster. It must be your charm that conquered them."
Looking ahead, Aaron controlled the steering wheel with one hand while putting the other hand on the window of the car. There was an obvious exhalation of relief.
He was learning to accept such a chattering ride.
After a while, he responded, "Really?"
Aaron sounded as if he was interested in continuing this topic with Yolanda, but his face was actually emotionless. "Who do you think is more attractive then? Mr. Webster, or me?"
Hah, what a shameless question.
Wasn't he expecting her to praise him by asking this question?
Yolanda understood it too well.
According to the strategy, Yolanda should indeed praise Aaron as much as she could.
But she wasn't going to do that today.
Because sometimes, being too sugary could make a person look like a bootlicker who had no principle and only knew how to butter others up. This trick might work at first, but it would make others feel tired and think that the person was hypocritical after a while.
Being a bootlicker would only lead to nothing in the end.
What Yolanda had to do was to give Aaron a blow to his head, as Aaron was already trapped in his comfort zone.
She needed to let him know the harsh reality that she was truly a principled, tasteful, fair, and just woman.
Besides, Mr. Webster was more welcoming than Aaron was. He even offered Yolanda water in the middle of his game.
Yup, she had to praise Mr. Webster today.
Yolanda acted like she was making a serious comparison deliberately and said, "Mr. Webster's combination of white shirt and gold-wired glasses is amazing. He looks handsome, reliable, mature, and wise. He gives out an evocative, noble, ascetic, and mysterious aura."
Aaron didn't say anything. He was waiting for her to continue evaluating him.
However, after pausing for two seconds, Yolanda continued, "Aaron, you lack a little in this regard."
What?
"I'm sorry, my dear brother, but I choose Mr. Webster."
Aaron sneered.
What a great sister.
He fed her, sheltered her, and pretended to be her brother. Yet, he was not as good as the man she had just met?
Aaron continued to drive without saying a word. It wasn't until he stopped at a crossroad that he said coldly, "Stop dreaming. He's taken. You don't even stand a chance."