The Female Leads Truly Loves You - Chapter 198

Chapter 198: It’s time to deliver
“Do you think her last words were meant as a blessing?”

After Sophie had left once again, Sam turned to Isabella.

Isabella countered with a question for Sam.

“What do you think?”

Sam let out a long sigh and then slumped onto the table.

The afternoon sunlight gradually dimmed, losing its earlier brilliance.

From this angle, a stubborn ray of light managed to pierce through the window, and also through the gaps in Isabella’s slightly floating hair.

From this vantage point, she looked like the quintessential girl next door.

What was special was that Sam had never had a girl with such an aura around him before.

She was a normal girl, and she hadn’t tormented Sam for various reasons.

Of course, such things were hard to predict, because Sam was aware of his ‘uniqueness,’ and if their relationship grew closer, it always brought strange risks.

So from that perspective, Sam didn’t wish for his relationship with Isabella to become any closer.

It was fine just as it was.

Just like the angle and distance at this very moment.

“This is probably just one of those things a special guy has to face as he grows up.”Sam said.

Isabella smiled at Sam and slightly bowed her head to rest it on the table, stretching out her hand to ruffle Sam’s hair across the table.

“Has anyone ever told you that acting like this can seem particularly childish in front of girls?”

Sam said with a smile.

“It’s just a form of self-deprecation, I’ve still got a lot of growing to do.”

Isabella rolled her eyes playfully. “So what are you planning to do?”

“Do about what?”

“About Sophie, are you just going to let things go on like this?”

Sam, of course, knew what Isabella meant, but his relationship with Sophie was awkward at the moment.

It seemed that in this special yet ordinary relationship, any action taken might be superfluous, and even a slight overreaction could ruin everything.

Truth be told, no one would want that outcome.

Sophie, such a special girl—if she were to completely leave him, wouldn’t it be a pity no matter how one thought about it?

“Is there a better way, then?”

Perhaps some things are just meant to be fleeting encounters. They make you feel incredibly close to someone at a certain moment in life, so close that it seems you could reach out and possess them.

But quickly, such moments vanish, and even a mere glance back can mean everything has already disappeared from around you. That’s when you suddenly realize it was all a jest of fate, meant to show you that there is such special beauty in life.

It could be a friend you grew up with, who you only realize has become so beautiful and accomplished after many years.

Or maybe it’s a cute classmate you used to joke and play with, and one day in the future, you find her snuggled up beside another man, her expression one of true happiness.

Human are so good at creating illusions for themselves.

Isabella smiled.

“I’ve never seen Sam look so down before.”

“Everyone has their moments of helplessness, and you saw it yourself—Sophie is really angry this time.”

Isabella pondered for a moment.

“I’d be upset too, considering what happened yesterday… You chose to run away, and while it might seem like you did nothing wrong from your perspective, changing your social media profile picture today… I don’t think Sophie can accept that. But if you do nothing, you’ll make an even bigger mistake.”

Isabella spoke like an experienced scriptwriter revealing the next plot twist to the actors involved.

But if they really were actors, they’d have to follow the script and perform accordingly, without the privilege to change the storyline, right?

“Maybe sometimes, rushing to do something is the bigger mistake?”

“I don’t know, maybe only you can tell. But I’m saying this for your own good.”

While speaking, Isabella ruffled Sam’s hair, deliberately messing it up before tidying it again, much like a barber at a hair salon fussing over a style that would end up looking just as unattractive as before.

Sam suddenly stood up.

Isabella looked up at Sam. Under the gradually dimming afternoon sun, he still looked handsome, almost like one of the famous sights at Kuhang School.

“Figured it out?”

“Yeah, I’m going to get a haircut.”

“What?”

The girl clearly couldn’t keep up with the boy’s train of thought.

What was he even talking about?

“Maybe if I cut my hair, I won’t be so troubled.”

“Then you might as well cut off your penis too.”

“???”

Isabella met Sam’s gaze calmly. “What’s wrong?”

Sam looked at Isabella suspiciously. “Senior… are you making a dirty joke?”

Isabella covered her mouth in feigned surprise, her cheeks appropriately blushing. “Did I? I was just joking. I don’t even know why I said that.”

“Alright, I’ll pretend you didn’t know.”

Sam grabbed his backpack and walked to the door, opening it to reveal the quiet corridor.

He hadn’t stepped out yet when he heard a voice from behind.

“Sam.”

Sam turned around to see the beautiful senior with a gentle demeanor, yet often unpredictable, making it hard to guess what she was really thinking.

She was sitting there smiling, her long hair slightly falling over her breasts, which were not exaggerated in size but were full in shape.

“What is it?”

“You… you’re really with Angel now, right?”

Sam didn’t know why she was asking, but he nodded.

“We’re in a relationship now.”

“People who are fickle in love will be punished, you know.”

It sounded like a friendly reminder, or perhaps a warning.

But none of this meant anything to Sam because he was very clear that this was the only path for him.

“I understand, thank you.”

Sam closed the door and walked out.

Isabella watched the door that had just closed.

Then she smiled.

“Such a stubborn kid.”

Sam left the school and first headed to the barbershop, getting a simple haircut.

There wasn’t any significant change, no need for a special hairstyle. With his handsome face, even a bald head would exude an extraordinary charisma.

Next, he arrived at the convenience store where he worked, just in time for the shift change.

Sam went to the locker room to change into his uniform, then approached the front counter.

“Mrs. Margaret, let’s switch shifts.”

He said this to the middle-aged woman behind the counter, who looked at him with mild surprise.

“There’s still about ten minutes to go.”

Sam smiled.

“It’s okay, it’s just ten minutes. Besides, Mrs. Margaret, you need to get home early to cook, right? It’s no trouble.”

Mrs. Margaret’s face lit up with joy.

“Really? Thank you so much. It’s rare to see such a fine young man like Sam these days.”

Sam walked in with a smile.

“It’s nothing, I just got out of school early today. Opportunities like this don’t come often.”

“Regardless, I still appreciate it.”

After Mrs. Margaret left and handed over the shift to Sam, the convenience store quieted down. Sam began to work methodically, attending to each customer.

The evening passed.

Night fell.

It was a common occurrence in this city not to see many stars. In a densely populated metropolis, even the sky seemed unclean.

A striking figure entered the convenience store.

“Ah? You still dare to come to work?”

Sam couldn’t be bothered to lift his head.

“If you pay me without working, then I might consider not coming in.”

The newcomer was Mia. She hadn’t been to the convenience store much recently, and her appearance at this time seemed a bit odd.

But after all, this was her property. She could come whenever she wanted, and Sam had no say in it.

The evenings were getting cooler this season, so Mia was wearing a black leather jacket, a form-fitting T-shirt that accentuated her figure, and tight denim jeans.

She hummed.

“Dream on, you think I’m a philanthropist? I’m a capitalist.”

Sam said with a chuckle.

“Calling yourself a capitalist for owning just one convenience store?”

Mia stormed up to Sam and grabbed his ear.

“What’s that supposed to mean? You sound like you’re looking down on me. You’ve got some nerve!”

Sam still played along, showing a ‘painful’ expression.

“Let go, boss… What if a customer comes in and gets the wrong idea?”

“That’s your problem, not mine.”

Mia let go of his ear.

She casually propped herself up on the counter, sitting with her rear perched.

She looked like a female thug. But on her, this demeanor seemed natural, reminiscent of the sultry femme fatales one would encounter in classic spy movies at a bar.

Sam averted his gaze.

“Is it possible that I’ve always been like this and you just never noticed? Also, please get off the counter, it’s unbecoming.”

Mia pouted in dissatisfaction.

“This is my store, I’ll sit however I want. Can you really tell me what to do?”

“Oh, suit yourself. But if bad rumors start to affect business and sales plummet, don’t blame anyone else.”

“You’re so young and yet you love to boss people around so much. I hate being told what to do.”

Even though she said this, Mia still got down from the counter.

Watching Sam handle his work methodically, seemingly unconcerned about whatever was happening, the young and beautiful Mia remembered something.

“Oh right, I almost forgot. Sam, you still dare to come to work?”

Sam paused, puzzled.

“What are you trying to say?”

Mia, visibly upset, pulled out her phone and showed it to Sam. On the screen was his social media profile, featuring a new profile picture—a selfie with a pretty girl.

“Take a look for yourself! Why has your profile picture changed to this? And who’s that girl you’re with?”

“Girlfriend.”

Sam answered calmly, as if to contrast the woman’s overreaction.

“Girl… girlfriend? Ah… girlfriend? How come you suddenly have a girlfriend?”

Mia seemed taken aback by Sam’s easy and decisive response.

In her eyes, this boy, who had the potential to be a real womanizer, should be vehemently denying it, claiming it was a punishment for a game of Truth or Dare or some other excuse. But how could he suddenly have a girlfriend?

Sam looked at Mia with a smile.

“What’s the matter? Should I have gotten a boyfriend instead?”

Mia immediately shook her head, her face a picture of disbelief.

“No, but didn’t you say you weren’t into dating? How come it’s so sudden, with absolutely no warning?”

Sam chuckled.

“Plans can’t keep up with changes. Sometimes it just happens like that… And what kind of warning do you need? She was a classmate of mine; any warning would have been at school.”

Mia felt a surge of annoyance, though she couldn’t pinpoint why. She just felt uncomfortable all over.

“But… don’t you think it’s too hasty? You never mentioned this girl to me…”

“Why would I need to mention her specifically?”

Yeah… why would he need to tell her specifically?

Wait!

“I’m your boss!”

Mia tried to muster some authority, but it crumbled instantly under Sam’s steady gaze.

“Don’t you think that’s a bit of a stretch?”

Mia pouted.

“Regardless, you’re a student, and this is a part-time job outside of school, a form of social practice. As your boss, I’m like half a teacher to you. Shouldn’t I be informed?”

“You really can spin a yarn… Boss, what are you trying to say?”

Mia didn’t know what she wanted to say.

She just felt incredibly awkward, just like Sam’s profile picture.

“That girl… what’s she like?”

Sam smiled.

“She’s pretty great. You saw the picture, right? She must be considered beautiful.”

More than beautiful. She was stunning!

Mia suspected that the girl’s photo was enhanced with beauty filters, but Sam was right there next to her in the picture, without any effects. Could it be that girl was naturally that beautiful without any filters? That was shockingly impressive…

“But… does she have a convenience store?”

Sam looked at her as if she were a simpleton.

“No convenience store. But there are probably quite a few office buildings.”

“Huh?”

“She lives on Cherry Blossom Avenue.”

“What?!”

“Her mother is Celeste, and she’s her only daughter.”

“What???”

Mia was utterly astonished.

Every word Sam said was more shocking than the last.

A lot of office buildings? Living on Cherry Blossom Avenue? That was a place where only the top tycoons and historic families of Kuhang could reside. Mia had heard Celeste’s name on TV reports before; her background seemed incredibly impressive…

How did Sam get so lucky?

How did he manage to land such an outstanding girlfriend? Wouldn’t that easily set him up for financial freedom?

Mia looked at Sam, her mood deflated.

“Then why do you still come to work?”

Sam answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“My relationship with her is just boyfriend and girlfriend. Her money isn’t my money. Why wouldn’t I work?”

Huh.

That did make sense.

A boyfriend-girlfriend relationship was the least stable of all. They could break up any day.

Suddenly, Mia felt as if she saw a glimmer of hope.

Wait.

Why was she thinking like this? And why did she feel a guilty pleasure about it?

Mia couldn’t help but laugh.

“So when are you two breaking up?”

Sam didn’t know how to respond.

“Ah, no offense, just that I think she’ll soon see through your scumbag nature.”

Sam rolled his eyes, about to say something, but at that moment, his phone rang. He looked at it, paused, and then answered the call.

Mia watched as Sam spoke briefly on the phone, unable to discern any useful information.

Soon, Sam put down the phone, smiling at Mia. For some reason, Mia found his smile unsettling, even prompting an urge to flee immediately.

“Boss.”

“Huh?”

“You free tonight?”

Was this… an invitation for a date?

But why suddenly ask her out? Calling him a womanizer didn’t mean he had to make it so obvious!

No, wait! Something was fishy!

Mia quickly caught on and shook her head in refusal: “I probably won’t have time… I have plans later…”

“What plans?”

“I… I’m meeting someone for drinks.”

“No worries, who you drink with doesn’t matter, let’s you and I go for a drink.”

“What? You, asking me out for drinks? That’s not a good idea, you’re still young, and drinking isn’t good for your development… Ah, look at the time, I really must be going…”

Mia was ready to bolt, but…

“Snap!”

Sam grabbed her wrist, pulling back Mia who was ready to make a quick escape.

“Those lines don’t suit you, and it seems you’ve forgotten, you’ve already promised me something. It’s time to deliver, Mia.”