“Yup, that’s me. How can I help you?” Xavier got a little excited when he received her call. To him, getting Helen’s approval would be his first step to winning Hannah’s heart.
“I can’t have dinner with you tonight, I’m sorry. Something caught up,” Helen said apologetically.
“Oh. Don’t worry about it. I’ll see you next time then.” Xavier could only suppress his dissatisfaction because he could not offend Helen. Fabian and Hannah seem close to one another, so I must gain Helen’s favor.
At that point, Xavier did not know Helen had officially joined Team Fabian now.
“If I may ask… Do you have feelings for Hannah?” Helen asked.
“I’m sorry?” Xavier was surprised by her question. What sort of a question is that?
“I think you like my sister. I can tell.” Helen paused for a bit and continued. “You’ve been nice to me all this while, so I have decided to lend you a hand in order to repay your kindness.”
Lend me a hand? Does she want to help me? Xavier was at a loss for words for a moment. She wants to help me even when I’ve not actually done anything for her? I guess luck is on my side?
Upon realizing Xavier’s hesitation, Helen explained, “All right, all right. I’ll let you know why I’m doing this. So you see, I had dinner with Mr. Norton earlier, and I can’t stand his snobbish attitude. That’s why I trying to keep my sister away from him.”
Helen continued putting on a show. “Well, it’s fine if you don’t need my help. I thought you’d be a nicer man than that arrogant Mr. Norton. Mmm, never mind then!”
Xavier instantly believed her and was glad that Fabian had dug his own grave. “Hey Helen, that’s not what I meant. I’m so happy that you’re willing to help me out.”
Helen let out a cold snort and kept mum.
“I shouldn’t have doubted you. Please forgive me, okay?” Xavier tried to salvage the situation.
“Fine. I’ll be the bigger person and forgive you,” Helen said.
“You’re a helpful and magnanimous person indeed, Helen.”
Helen had to take her hats off to Xavier and his bootlicking skills. There was even a point she actually felt bad for doing this to him.
“All right. Let’s get back to business. Hannah has a unique hobby,” Helen said.
“What is it?” Xavier instantly paid close attention to what she was about to say.
“She likes to collect notebooks.”
“Notebooks? What kind of notebooks?” Xavier could not quite understand Hannah’s hobby.
“Have you seen those notebooks that come with a lock? Kids like to write their secrets in it,” Helen described.
She paused for a bit and continued, “As you know, my parents took her into my family after the Blackwoods threw her out of the house. I noticed she’d always carry a notebook with her which she’d always draw and write stuff on the pages. My Mom would tell her bedtime stories, and some of the stories are also from the notebook. She liked it so much that she’d always place it by her bed.”
“I see.” Though Xavier had not seen the notebook before, he could imagine how it looked.
“So what you can do is, get a similar notebook, write down how you feel about her on the pages, and give the notebook to her. I’m sure she’ll be happy to receive it,” Helen suggested.
“Got it! Thanks for the tip. I owe you big time!” Xavier expressed his gratitude.
“Nah, I’m only doing this because I really can’t stand that arrogant man,” Helen reiterated this to make her sound more convincing.
“Don’t let that snob spoil your mood. He’ll learn his lesson once he’s out of this competition.” Xavier laughed.
