Although the cupcakes Jefferson bought were delicious, the men's argument made them taste bitter. Furthermore, it was unusual for Flint to suddenly grab her hand in front of others, making it difficult for her to blink. She slowly released her grip to prevent any misunderstanding between the two men. She was curious about what these two men were thinking. Why did every conversation always end in an argument? Should she run away from them now?
"Flint, I'll talk to you. There might be something important you want to ask me."
Jefferson immediately glared at his cousin, who was still smiling casually. Now it looked as if he had lost to his cousin. "What do you want to talk to him about?"
"This is none of your business, Jefferson." His right hand patted his brother's shoulder. "Don't worry, I won't talk to her for too long."
"Okay, I'll just give you five minutes. I have to get back to the office too."
Flint chatted with Carabella outside the cupcake shop and then stood back from the shop. He didn't mean to scare Carabella by suddenly asking her to talk in the middle of an argument with Jefferson. However, he was still curious about what happened to Carabella that made her become Jefferson's personal assistant. Did Jefferson threaten Carabella to get her to come along? He knew all too well about Jefferson's annoying personality. Always using threats to get everyone to comply.
"Flint, actually I–"
"How did Jefferson invite you to go shopping? Did he force you to do it?"
"No."
"Then how did Jefferson take the initiative to invite you to the mall? Since when did you become his assistant? Is he blackmailing you?"
"No." Her hands were clenched tightly. "Actually, I wanted to tell you this too because I haven't been communicating with you lately."
"What has happened to you?"
"My father sold me to the Jefferson family."
"What?! Why didn't you tell me before? Since when were you sold?"
"On my birthday. I'm sorry, I couldn't tell you this in person because it was quite a burden for me."
"It's okay. I'm sorry I pushed you too hard to answer a question you shouldn't have asked."
"Since I'm part of the Jefferson family, I'm now his housekeeper and personal assistant. This is part of the deal my father promised me."
"You're not an object, yet they dare treat you like one." His right hand clenched tightly. "Why don't you ever vent your anger once in a while? Do you like having your life played with by them?"
Her head hung low again, remembering that she came from a poor family. In fact, she felt awkward talking to Flint, as his family was wealthy, like Jefferson's. However, Flint had always treated her warmly, as he never viewed her as inferior.
"If you were me, would you do that? I feel I have no right to argue with someone superior to me because I deserve to be defeated."
Flint shook his head slowly. "No. In fact, I want you to never feel inferior just because you were sold to a wealthy family."
Carabella had heard these words from Flint many times, from childhood until now. She didn't feel anything special about him, as she had always considered him simply a good friend. Flint always protected her from anyone who bullied her. That's why, in Carabella's eyes, Flint was a good older brother.
"Flint, thank you for wanting to protect me all this time. But, for now, I'm fine."
"If Jefferson bullies you again, you can call me right away."
"You don't have to worry anymore. I won't be like before, just being allowed to be oppressed."
Jefferson waited for the pair of friends to chat for over ten minutes. He stared at the luxury watch on his left wrist for minutes until he began to get bored. After all, he wasn't the type of man who liked to wait.
In the end, he decided to leave the cupcake shop, carrying all the paper bags containing the luxury clothes and accessories he'd bought. Although he was furious at being dumped by a woman for the first time, he remained calm as he approached his assistant, who was standing alone, having finished her conversation with Flint.
"You two have been talking for so long! Weren't you only given five minutes?" Jefferson scolded, pursing his lips.
"Sorry, it's been a long time since I last spoke to Flint, so I also explained what actually happened to me."
Jefferson rolled his eyes, handing the beautiful assistant all the paper bags at once. "You forgot all your stuff, too! I don't want to look like your assistant! I'm your boss!"
Carabella picked up all the paper bags and quickly walked away from her boss. "Yes, I won't forget because I actually don't like all your gifts!"
Jefferson, of course, also walked quickly after his assistant, then walked side by side again. "What exactly were you two discussing that took more than ten minutes?"
"That's none of your business!"
"Of course it's my business because you're my assistant! I have to ensure my assistant's safety too."
Carabella paused for a moment, grinning at the furious Jefferson. "I know you want me to look perfect in your eyes. But I won't always give in to your wishes."
"Who taught you? Was it Flint who instigated you earlier?"
"I'm so sick of my life being controlled by everyone, especially you!"
"You-"
drrt…drrt
His phone vibrated in his jacket pocket, causing him to pause his argument and answer Larissa's call. He was actually getting increasingly annoyed at someone interrupting him at such an inopportune moment.
"Jefferson, what are you doing now? Are you busy?"
"Why did you call me all of a sudden?" Jefferson replied softly while looking at Carabella who was still angry.
"I want to go for a walk with you at the mall now. Would you like to?"
Now it was Jefferson's turn to seek revenge on his assistant, who had angered him earlier. A sly smile spread across his handsome face.
"Of course. I'm very free right now."