Gao Yang walked into Karima’s office, looked around, and realized there were no other chairs besides Karima’s desk chair, so he didn’t know what to do.
"Um, why don’t you have a couple more chairs?"
Karima said indifferently, "When I et clients, it’s always in a dedicated eting room or conference room."
Ever since Joseph had entered the office, Karima’s expression had seed off. Gao Yang scratched his face and said, "Then you can sit down, I’ve been sitting all night, I need to stand for a while."
Karima still said indifferently, "You’re the chairman, naturally you should sit while I report on work to you."
Gao Yang scratched his face again, then simply leaned against Karima’s desk, laughing awkwardly as he said, "Then let’s both just stand."
Karima imdiately said, "Alright, I’ll brief you on the current developnt of Solar System Company. As of now, our company has twelve clerical staff, seventy-two field workers, all stationed in Iraq. Currently, our company has only two ongoing projects: twenty-two people provide security for Mr. Rick Perry’s oil equipnt company as CEO, and fifty people provide security at an oil field in which Mr. Perry has shares. If you need detailed information, I’ll have a docunt for you to review. Next, I will introduce the financial status of the company."
Karima was angry, very angry indeed; she was expressing her dissatisfaction with an official attitude.
Of course, strictly speaking, Gao Yang and Karima had no relationship, so it was normal for her to face him with a businesslike attitude, right?
But Gao Yang knew why Karima was angry, so although he really didn’t want to complicate his emotional life, he couldn’t bear to let Karima be upset.
"Well, Joseph is the bodyguard I hired just yesterday. This ti in Italy was quite dangerous, so I also felt I really needed a bodyguard. Then Morgan recomnded Joseph to , so he ca along. Originally, I was going to co by myself."
After explaining with a smile, Gao Yang coughed lightly and then said, "Joseph is a professional bodyguard, very skilled. But he’s too professional, insisting that we need to develop so rapport when I’m relatively safe, so he can protect better..."
Karima said with genuine concern, "You were very dangerous in Italy?"
Gao Yang nodded intuitively and then imdiately said, "Your brother didn’t tell you?"
Karima shook her head, continuing to show concern, and said, "Are you alright? Oh, how silly of , you’re here so you must be alright. You won’t get into trouble, but you really need a good bodyguard."
Karima seed quite agitated and even took two steps forward, carefully examining Gao Yang as though searching for any wounds.
Gao Yang chuckled, saying, "Don’t look, there are no injuries. The way that bastard tortured was quite precise, there won’t be, um, any, marks left..."
Accidentally letting sothing slip, Gao Yang began to stamr a bit, and Karima’s face turned paler.
Gao Yang waved his hand, saying, "Anyway, it’s nothing! I’m fine, standing right here in front of you, so you don’t need to worry, right?"
Karima stared at Gao Yang with a pale face, seemingly shocked, but you’d think that with Gao Yang standing there unhard, Karima wouldn’t be so scared.
Finally, Karima couldn’t help but tremblingly say, "You, will you, later..."
Her biggest worry resurfaced. Being cared for should be comforting, but Gao Yang always felt overwheld, so he said with distress, "The situation like in Italy definitely won’t happen again, live and learn, but now I can’t retire. Anyway, things won’t be..."
Before Gao Yang could finish, Karima rushed forward, hugged him tightly, and then sealed his lips.
Gao Yang truly didn’t intend to take advantage of Karima, nor did he want anything to happen between them; he simply froze.
His mind went blank. When he finally ca to his senses, he was about to push Karima away, but even with his hands on her waist, he couldn’t muster the strength.
He really couldn’t bring himself to do it. Thinking of Karima and her life, truly, Number Thirteen had it tough, but Karima’s life was tougher than her brother’s. Gao Yang really couldn’t bear to just push Karima away.
Between Karima and Gao Yang, feelings existed yet never crossed the line. Not even slightly suggestive hints were exchanged between them, but this sudden outburst from Karima left Gao Yang dumbfounded.
After a long while, Karima, still silently crying during their fervent exchange, finally held Gao Yang tightly against her, rested her head on his shoulder, and sobbed quietly, "I’m sorry, I know this isn’t right, but I couldn’t control myself. Every ti I think of possibly losing you forever in the future, I just break down."
Karima’s arms held Gao Yang tightly, and his hands remained on her waist. After breathing a few deep breaths, Gao Yang finally gently embraced Karima and softly said, "It’s okay."
Karima, holding onto Gao Yang, sobbed, "I’m sorry, I love you."
Gao Yang took a deep breath and softly said, "It’s okay."
Karima, utterly helpless, let out a low sigh before sobbing, "I’m sorry, but I fear I’ll never have the chance again."
Gao Yang still quietly replied, "It’s okay."
Karima, both desperate and emotional, said, "I thought I’d never love anyone again in my life, but from the first ti I saw you, I felt sothing different. Later, until you stood before and shielded from the bullet, I couldn’t stop myself from falling for you. I know it’s wrong, but I can’t help it. I love you, I really love you. If I don’t say it, then I might never have another chance. I love you! I’m sorry..."
Gao Yang sighed gently and said, "It’s okay."
Karima sobbed, "Everyone I care about leaves one by one. Even if I can only see you occasionally, or look at you from a distance, or speak to you a few tis, it satisfies , makes happy. I know I shouldn’t disturb your life, but I’m really afraid there won’t be any chance left, not even a chance to look at you. So I just want you to know that I love you! No matter what you think, I just want to tell you in person, that I love you, whether or not you love back. I love you so, so much. I’m sorry. You must be really troubled right now..."
Gao Yang took a deep breath and said, "It’s okay, I’m sorry..."
"It’s okay."
This ti, it was Karima who said it.
Karima let go of Gao Yang, took a step back, wiped away her tears, then smiled through them and said, "I know. It’s okay. My brother told earlier that you’re a very traditional man. Maybe you like , but you love Yelena. You definitely won’t take a step that betrays her, no matter what our relationship is, I won’t have a chance. I know that, really, I’ve always known."
Gao Yang was utterly speechless.
Yelena turned, not letting Gao Yang see her wipe away tears, and then turned back with a smile, saying, "I’m just worried I won’t see you in the future, so I lost control, but I really had to tell you I love you personally. I don’t want to hide my feelings anymore because I’ve hidden them for too long. I just want to say it clearly. This way, at least I won’t regret not saying ’I love you’ when I had the chance."
Gao Yang gently held Karima’s hand, speaking softly, "Well, I’m sorry, I..."
"Don’t say anything."
Karima shook her head, still smiling through her tears, "Please don’t say it. I know what your choice is. I’ve always known, but please don’t say it."
Gao Yang took a deep breath, unable to respond.
After speaking in a tone of despair, Karima suddenly smiled and said, "Whatever the case, I finally said I love you. Now I feel much better, much more relaxed."
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