Chapter 40: Chapter 40
"Wow, this is unexpected!" Hugo shouted after heard her request. "You do READ this kind of books! I'm shocked!"
"Your reaction was the same with Max's." She crossed her arms and doesn't know why do people make big fuss about it.
In her past, she already learned sexual education in her very young age as a part of biology classes. It is important to avoid something like the unwanted pregnancy or even sexual harassment.
Including increasing knowledge and improving their attitudes related to sexual and reproductive health and behaviors.
More over, the topic of this might be amusing for some of her classmates, however, it is difficult to find someone in their teen ages who never watch an adult video.
"Oh, perhaps you have your own preferences about this, Young Miss?" Hugo said with pure curiosity.
But, Max, who sitting in the couch, stunned when he heard about it.
Why can he easily ask about thing like that? Is it the normal question to ask?
"I'd rather keep it by myself. More importantly, can you help me about this Bridgerton?"
Hugo pat his chest with proud face. "You are come to the right person. Gillian Bridgerton is my friend. We are once lived in the same orphanage and still maintain good relationship until now."
Cecilia's face beaming in happiness. She can't believe her luck, "Really? So, can you arrange an appointment for me to meet him?"
"Actually, now is the right time to do it. Gil is an owl person. I mean he always wandering through the night and sleeping when dawn is coming. He won't be awake before sunset."
"Then, can you tell me where is he?"
Hugo nodded, "Of course, I will write down the address. My Bo--, oh I mean M, Max, will escort you, My Lady." Hugo gulps and hoping that Cecilia didn't notice his mistake.
Max doesn't want her to know about his identity yet. Which bring Hugo in puzzlement since Max is an arrogant narcissist man.
His employer, still crossing his arms and looking annoyed for some unknown reason, "I refused! Hugo will do it."
Hugo's eyes widens like saucer, "Eh? Me? Why?"
But, Max averted his gaze. Avoid to making any eye contact with him. "No reason needed."
Meanwhile, Cecilia sensed something from him. It's uncomfortableness.
When she was thinking about the reason why, Cecilia successfully made the most reasonable conclusion.
The woman he love is living in this Capital. He prefers not to make her get the wrong idea about their business relationship.
He is unexpectedly a considerate man, she thought.
"Max is right, Mister Hugo. Besides, you are the one who knows this Bridgerton man."
Hugo squinted his eyes and shifted uncomfortably, "Bu-but, I have… so many things to do! I'm busy! Yes! I'm so occupied!"
"It can't be help, then. Give me the address and I will go by myself."
Before Max can react, Hugo shouted, "No! I mean… ah, screw this! Okay, I will escort you, My Lady."
"You don't have to pushed your limit, Mister Hugo."
He throws a why-did-you-put-me-in-this-situation gaze to his moody boss. "Do not worry, Milady. Suddenly, I remember that it wasn't an urgent matter. Please follow me, Milady."
Unlike Hugo, who exited the room without even say goodbye to Max, Cecilia waving her hand with beaming smile, "We will back as soon as possible. Cheer up!"
Max didn't answer, and he snorts heavily after they disappeared from his sight.
--
"Say, Hugo. How long did you know Max? You look so close." Cecilia asked when they are sitting on their rented carriage.
Hugo pretends to think before say, "Hmm, it is long time. Maybe ten years? I don't quite remember."
"Is Max come from the same orphanage with you and Bridgerton?"
"No. I don't... know. I mean, we never talk about our past." Hugo throw his gaze to the windows. Scared that this sharp young lady noticed his awkwardness.
Cecilia nodded without any suspicion, "I see."
"Then, what do you think about him, Young Miss? Isn't he a narcissist man?"
Cecilia grinning widely, "Well, yes. At first, I thought he was an arrogant one and very proud about his seductive skill. As if, every woman will get mesmerized with just one of his smile. But, the more I know him, I found that he is kind and considerate man who full of sarcastic opinion."
"Hmm," Hugo nodded, and his pupil eyes fixated on her. Try to found something. "He can be so annoying sometimes. But, I'm glad that you can get along with him."
"Yeah, you are right." Lately, Cecilia thought that she can understand Max's feeling better than before. She can sense when he became annoyed or delighted by something. As if it were her own feeling.
In her opinion, it must be because they spent so much time together.
"Oh, Young Miss. We already arrived. But, please wear your hoodie cap and don't wander off. No one keep their mannerism in this place. Please be careful."
Hugo talks like he was being dead serious. So, Cecilia cover her head with the hoodie and say," I understand."
When they stepped out from the carriage, Cecilia noticed that their destination building is as old as Shooting Star's bar. But this place, Crooked Hat, is more crowded.
There are so many drunken men in the outside bars. Several women in revealing clothes laughed with them.
Hugo carefully hold her left arm after he whispered, "Please excuse me, Young Miss."
Cecilia nodded and can't hide her amazement when enter the bar.
It is really packed with people. All tables filled with several green bottles and half empty glass with beer.
The music, which created by drums and flutes, were so loud and several couples dancing in front of the stages of the musicians.
The reek smells from the alcohol make her feel dizzy. Just when she almost remembered her abusive drunken father, Hugo whispered again, make sure she can hear his voice in the middle of this crowd, "It's him, Young Miss."
Cecilia follow his gaze and found a young man who surrounded by pretty women who wore see-through dress. He laughs so hard before drinking a glass full of cheap beer.
He almost looks as the same as she remembered. Suddenly, she filled by a memory she wanted to forget.
And without realizing, she whispered." Han Ki Jung."