Chapter 9: The Second Rejection

He looked at her with curiosity, an expression he didn’t have last night. Avery gulped, maybe he finally found out her plan or that some women did the same thing as her. She bit her lip, an act she did whenever she is about to lose her client.

The silence between them was eating her alive. She knew she can’t use her body like before. She looked at him directly in the eyes. He looked handsome today considering that he was wearing an expensive suit. His hair was fixed perfectly so he might have an important meeting to attend to.

“Well, sorry, I’m busy today.”

Avery waited for the follow-up. Something like, maybe we can try next time. But his reply was short and direct to the point. It was a simple response to I am not interested. She smiled. This was the second time he rejected her.

She wanted to leave but she knew she can’t. She was doing this for Jane and also for the thrill. It was not every day that Avery can meet a man who wasn’t affected by her charms. Just then, the waitress arrived with their order.

They were quiet since Avery still couldn’t forget what happened. She noticed that he would turn to her every once in a while. “So, you’re staying at that apartment?”

She smiled, she couldn’t lose now. She wore the best dress and applied the best make-up just for today. “No. It was my friend’s house.”

“I see. So what do you do?”

This wasn’t the first time she was asked this but somehow she felt weird that Carson was asking it. Usually, she would answer something awesome to get the trust of her targets but not him.

“I’m a volunteer at a certain orphanage.”

He nodded and took a bite of his scrambled egg. His breakfast consisted of bacon, egg, and bread. He also ordered a black coffee. He looked at her.

“You must be rich then.”

She stopped stirring her coffee to look at him. No one told her that before. “How can you tell?”

He smiled. “From the way you dress. I know those brands because of my sister. She loved it but I don’t understand why she would pay so much for something she won’t wear all the time. I personally hate wearing expensive suits but my father will kill me if I don’t.”

That was another distinction. Carson wasn’t like those old rich men who boast their fame and wealth. He sounded like someone who was down to earth and was forced to live just like his family.

“So you don’t care about wealth?”

“No. Not at all. But I am the only one who can do my father’s job and he built his reputation for years. I can’t just change everything because I don’t like it.”

Avery smiled. She looked down at her sandwich and started eating. Carson was different. He talked about a lot of things but not about himself. So even if they talked for about an hour, she didn’t get any information from him.

After breakfast, he walked her outside to wait for a cab. He looked so chill and warm for Avery.

“Sorry I can’t take you where you’re off to.”

She smiled and turned to him. “No need! I can easily take a cab from here. Thank you for letting me join you for breakfast.”

When she rode the cab, Avery knew she had to change tactics. She knew nothing about men her age and she didn’t have anyone she can ask. But that would be weird since men are all the same. They should like beautiful women. She was able to comment on all of his topics awhile ago so she was sure that she sounded smart.

She paused. What if he was gay just like what Ran said? That would explain why he declined all her offers but still managed to be a gentleman. Avery bit her lip as she continued to analyze the situation. But he saw her in her lingerie and he didn’t look like he was disgusted.

“Babe? You home?”

Avery asked as she opened the door to Jane’s apartment. Jane messaged her asking for help so instead of going home, Avery went there.

“I’m here!” Jane answered in the bedroom. Avery removed her heels and head to where her friend was. She was surprised to see a pile of clothes on the bed and the floor. She looked at Jane who was busy checking two dresses in front of the mirror.

“What happened?”

Jane turned with a smile, “Don’t mind the mess! I have a date tonight. It’s your type but younger. But I don’t know what to wear.”

Avery slowly walked across the room, making sure she didn’t step on the clothes. She looked at her friend whose hair was all over the place.

“Uh, I think intellectual men like smart women. So those slutty dresses won’t work.” She got the dresses and placed them on the side. Jane looked at her friend with worry, “You know I’m not that smart plus all I have are these kinds of dresses.”

Avery took a deep breath and started checking the clothes on the floor. Jane turned to her friend, “What happened with the date?”

“Got rejected.”

Jane raised an eyebrow, “Why not try to be yourself? Show him the real Avery. Don’t think of him as your target. Look at him as someone you like. You like him so it’s easy.”

Avery glared at her friend, “I do not like him.”

Jane looked at her with doubtful eyes. She knew Avery too well. Avery might not like Carson now but she was already interested in him based on her actions.

Jane smirked. “Are you sure? Then why do you look so gloomy that he rejected you? You can easily change your target if you really wanted to.”

Avery looked back at the clothes and picked a red short dress. “Try this.” While Jane changed her clothes, Avery thought of a very smart solution to her problem.