Chapter 70

“You can’t do that. You’re still a student and probably don’t have much money. You helped me save time traveling and gave me a chance to ride in such a nice car. I should pay.” Grol asserted firmly.

Without waiting for a response, she pulled out fifty dollars and shoved it into Kelly’s hand, then quickly got out of the car.

Panicked, Kelly folded the bill tightly into a square, rolled down the window, and tossed it to the ground. “Ms. Teller, I left the money on the ground!” Then she scrambled to close the window, grabbed Leon’s arm, and pleaded, “Drive, just go!”

Leon couldn’t help but laugh at how flustered Kelly was as he started the car.

As the sleek black car sped off, Carol picked up the money from the pavement with a helpless sigh. She tucked the note back into her pocket. After taking a few steps, a thought suddenly struck her. She hadn’t even told Kelly or the driver her address. How had he known where to drop her off? Was that young man not only handsome, but also a psychic?

She mulled it over as she walked toward her building. Just as she neared it, she saw Helena coming down the stairs.

“Helena, where are you off to?” Carol asked.

Helena smiled. “Jackson wants fish tonight. I’m heading to the market to find a fresh one. He’s in high school now. He needs to eat healthy.”

Carol watched Helena and immediately thought of Kelly. They’d been neighbors for years, and she knew the family well. Everyone in the complex did. Helena and William were infamous for favoring Jackson. Everything good went to him, while Kelly was practically ignored.

Back when Kelly was in high school, they insisted she live near the school to focus on her studies. But when it came to Jackson, the couple worried about the school food and insisted he live at home. Kelly had been skin and bones back then. She was thin from stress and malnutrition. Helena and William never thought of sending her some home-cooked food to nourish her.

Carol couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for Kelly. She saw her chance to bring up her encounter with Kelly. “I went to the hospital today to get a prescription. Guess who I ran into?”

“Who?” Helena asked, curious.

“Kelly. She had a cold and went to get a check-up.”

Helena’s smile faltered. “She has a cold?”

“Huh? You didn’t know?” Carol said innocently, “They say daughters are supposed to be their parents’ darlings. Look at Susan’s daughter. She tells her parents everything. They’re more like friends than family.”

“But Kelly? She barely even comes home, and when she does, it’s just once a month. Now she’s sick, she didn’t even tell you?”

Helena’s smile froze, and then she forced a laugh. “Kelly has always been like that. She only shares the good news with us, but keeps the bad ones to herself. I’ll call her later and check in.”

She glanced at her watch. “Anyway, it’s getting late. I better get to the market before all the good stuff is gone.”

Carol watched Helena walk away and clicked her tongue in disapproval. If anyone were wise, they would already be on the phone after learning their child was sick. But that wasn’t the case for Helena. She was completely focused on getting what her precious son wanted.

Leon’s black Mercedes pulled up to the entrance of Kelly’s apartment complex. She reached for her seatbelt, about to get out. “Hang on a second,” Leon stopped her. He held out his hand with a faint smirk. “Mind giving this driver a five-star review?”

Kelly couldn’t help but laugh. She smacked his palm instead and said, “Here you go.”

Leon’s eyes lit up with a smile. For a moment, Kelly just stared at him, dazed. Her cheeks flushed pink once again. Lately, just making eye contact with Leon was enough to make her heart race uncontrollably.