Chapter 5

We were both in our thirties. Nicholas and I were going on this blind date with marriage in mind.

Compatible conditions, good conversation, and both sets of parents knew each other well.

After one date, just as Nicholas and I were about to make our relationship official, Robertson suddenly called. His voice carried the haze of alcohol and a fragile quality.

"Elia, I feel awful. Can you please come get me?"

Hearing that long-lost form of address, I momentarily spaced out.

Robertson was five years younger than me. When we first met, he was still quite shy.

"Elia, how do I revise this document?"

"Elia, you're amazing—you can win such difficult cases!"

"Elia, will you be my girlfriend?"

Seeing Nicholas's concerned expression, I snapped back to reality and coldly refused.

"No. I'm not available."

Robertson's voice sounded very weak.

"Don't hang up. I'm at HAPPY bar, locked in a really cold, dark place. My phone's dying. Only you can save me, Elia..."

"Bang—"

The sound of something heavy hitting the floor. The call disconnected.

"Robertson!"

I gripped my phone tightly, but there was no further response.

Robertson had severe claustrophobia. Phone dead, no one around.

If I really was the only person Robertson could contact, if something really happened to him because of me...

I grabbed my bag and apologized to Nicholas.

"It's so late—let me drive you. I have a car. Your friend will be fine."

Nicholas showed no annoyance at being stood up. Instead, he gently comforted me.

In the car, I clutched my phone, afraid of missing Robertson's call for help.

There wasn't much traffic at night. We quickly arrived at HAPPY bar.

The moment the car stopped, I anxiously jumped out.

I called Robertson countless times. No one answered.

My heart sank to the bottom. I was just about to call the police when I heard a familiar voice from a private room.

"Robertson, will Elia really come?"

"Don't worry, Elliot. Elia is Robertson's most obedient dog—guaranteed to come whenever called!"

I pushed open the door. The laughter and noise cut off abruptly.

When Robertson saw me, he smirked triumphantly.

"I knew you couldn't let me go!"

He waved the game card in front of him.

"Don't worry—Elliot just lost at Truth or Dare. I helped her call someone, and I didn't expect you'd actually be that free."

The worry from making countless unanswered calls, the heels of my feet rubbed raw from running frantically in high heels—all for one sentence: "I didn't expect you'd actually be that free."

Elliot covered her mouth and giggled.

"Sorry, I've been in a bad mood lately. Robertson wanted to cheer me up. Don't take it personally, Elia. You really do have a talent for making people laugh."

She leaned intimately on Robertson's shoulder.

"Thanks for coming on call like that—just like a nanny. If you're willing, I can pay you market rate."

A wave of knowing laughter rippled through the room.

Robertson frowned slightly.

"She's not—"

I cut off his words, lifted my head, and smiled at Elliot.

"Sure. A nanny's market rate is $6,000 a month. Eight years comes to $576,000 total. Transfer it to me."

Elliot's smile froze. Tears squeezed from her eyes.

The people who'd been jeering moments ago awkwardly shut their mouths.

Robertson pulled Elliot behind him protectively, his face iron-dark.

"Why are you making things difficult for Elliot over this little bit of money?"

He pulled out his phone and operated it a few times.

"Ding—"

The money arrived. The notification that my resignation had been approved was also somehow already sitting in my inbox.

I laughed mockingly at myself. He'd rather pay out $500,000 to bail Elliot out than spend $200,000 on wedding money for me.

"Thank you, Attorney Robertson. I wish you both a happy marriage."

I hadn't walked far when Robertson chased after me.

"Elliot and I are innocent. Stop making a scene. Consider that $500,000 your wedding money. I'll get our marriage license with you tomorrow, okay?"

I dodged his hand and pointed at Nicholas waiting for me at the entrance.

"Attorney Robertson, please keep your distance. My boyfriend is right there."