Volume 3: My days in a college fraternity Chapter 151: Love
Jim Mantz was an absolute man of action. The day after talking with Tommy, he bought a plane ticket and flew to Bangladesh. In his words, he wanted to observe with his own eyes how Professor Yunus's bank operated, find out its advantages and disadvantages, complete a detailed investigation report, and then think about how to improve that system to make it more suitable for the United States.
Tony, Ashley, Melanie, Will and Bethia went to New York to enjoy the luxurious holiday given to them by Tommy.
Since the bar began offering unlimited beer to the public, Dad has been hanging out there all day. It's not that he's drunk every day. Quite the contrary, most of the time, he's sober, standing at the door of the bar with a large loudspeaker, asking drunks who come to drink for free to line up. At the same time, he promotes his son's excellence, telling the drunks to be grateful that they can drink free beer because of the generosity of his beloved son Tommy, and asking them to thank Tommy for giving them free beer, just like they would thank God for creating mankind.
Tommy put on his shirt and walked out of the house. Dennis was already waiting outside in his cool Dodge sports car.
"Newport County Attorney's Office." Tommy said as he got into the passenger seat and adjusted the buttons on his cuffs.
Dennis started the car: "What trouble are you in?"
"No, while I have a week, I'm going to try to pursue Miss Ottilia Farrell. I like her." Tommy turned his head, looked at Dennis, and said seriously.
Dennis held the steering wheel and said, "Brother, I like her too, but isn't that a reason for you to fucking ride her to go on a date? As the lover of all the women of marriageable age in the United States, I have a suggestion for you. First of all, you need to have a car that is cool enough for women to sit on the passenger seat. Otherwise, do you expect her to ride a bicycle with you? If two cyclists kiss, they will definitely crash into a lamppost."
"The date I have arranged today does not require driving. Also, why would you hit a street lamp while kissing on a bicycle? You have to stop the car before kissing in a sports car. No one kisses while riding a bicycle." Tommy raised his eyebrows in surprise when he heard Dennis's concern for him. What kind of person would do such a stupid thing as kissing while riding a bicycle?
Dennis was silent for a long time while driving, and then he said, "Pam and Carly did this before and crashed into a streetlight. I laughed at him, and then I couldn't resist my curiosity, so I tried it with my girlfriend and succeeded in crashing into it."
"I'm so happy that I, a top student who was admitted to Stanford, have two friends like you with outrageous IQs. If I start writing my memoirs one day, I will definitely not mention your and Pam's names in it. You will drag down sales." Tommy mocked mercilessly.
But he quickly put away his smile: "I don't believe you would have collided. It must be that your kissing posture was too stupid, so you lost your balance."
"I knew you would be curious." Dennis seemed to have known Tommy would say this. "Try it out with Otilia if you have a chance. You hurt her and she breaks up with you. Then I can have a chance to pursue her."
Newport County has an even smaller population than Warwick. Warwick has a population of 80,000, while the four towns in Newport County combined have a population of only 80,000. The total population of Newport, the county seat, is only 23,000. However, this small town is more famous than Warwick. Warwick is called the countryside, while Newport is known as the Summer White House. Many presidents bring their families here for vacation during the summer.
In the United States, one of the ways to subtly tell someone that you are an upper-class person is to invite the other person to vacation at your family's mansion in Newport in the summer.
This is because Newport has hundreds of mansions built in the mid-nineteenth century, most of which were built by southern plantation owners when they came to the north to escape the summer heat. Today, almost all of them have become cultural relics, and the owners are all either rich or noble. Even if they are resold, it usually only happens between friends or people of the same class. It is difficult for nouveau riche to have the opportunity to buy a mansion here.
In a small city with a population of more than 20,000, it is conceivable that the public officials here have no work pressure at all, such as Ottilia at this moment.
…
Assistant Inspector General's Office, City of Newport.
Sitting at her desk, sipping coffee, flipping through the latest issue of a fashion magazine, waiting for the end of the get off work day, her work had already been completed. The so-called work was to help her boss, her godmother, Ms. Doris Luger, write external press releases and answer various phone calls for her.
As for the scene she had imagined, filing a criminal lawsuit with her godmother on behalf of the county government and speaking eloquently in court, it had never happened once. This made Ottilia doubt countless times whether she had taken a fake judicial examination.
However, she tasted all kinds of hand-ground coffee beans available on the American market while sitting in her office.
"Hi, Ottilia." There was a gentle knock on the open door of the office . Ottilia looked up and saw Tommy Hawke looking at her with a smile.
"Tommy~" Otilia straightened her body, smiled, raised her face to look at Tommy who came in, and asked in surprise: "Why are you here?"
"It's the last week of summer vacation. I'm here to meet you." Tommy came over and passed the autograph in his hand to Ottilia: "By the way, I'll give you the book I wrote."
Otilia took a book out of the drawer of her desk. "Actually, I already bought one myself, but I'm still very happy that you came to give it to me in person. Thank you."
"It's okay. I came here mainly to ask you out. Can I ask you out after get off work?" Tommy looked at Ottilia and asked expectantly.
Otilia stared at Tommy with her beautiful eyes full of suspicion and asked, "A date just for the two of us?"
"Yes." Tommy nodded.
Otilia shook her head. "I told you, I like mature men, Tommy. I won't date my students."
"Not now?" Tommy demanded.
Otilia said firmly: "Never."
…
New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Until she saw the men and women in evening gowns walking along the red carpet and flashing lights at the main entrance of the museum, Otilia, who had already changed into an evening gown in the Rolls-Royce, looked at Tommy, who was wearing a suit beside her:
"This is crazy, I get off work at 4 o'clock and I'm standing in New York at 7:30 for the Met Gala summer dinner hosted by Vogue? How did you get an invitation?"
Although Ottilia is not as vain as other rich girls, it does not mean that she is unaware of the value of the invitation to this grand event. The Met Gala fashion dinner, which has been held since 1971, has always had top entertainment stars, artists, models, photographers and fashion magazine editors as guests.
Even though she was the daughter of the president of a seafood shipping company in Rhode Island, she had never attended the event, because apart from those big names, there were only two or three hundred invitations, and these invitations were usually divided up among Washington politicians or young people from wealthy New York families. Not to mention the local wealthy people in Rhode Island, there were probably not many wealthy people in California who could compete with New York State who could get one.
It was because Tommy took out the invitation that Ottilia couldn't resist her curiosity. She went home, changed into an evening dress, and flew directly to New York with him.
"It looks like it's fun to hang out with me, right?" Tommy said with a smile when he saw the other person's shocked expression.
The invitation was sent to Tommy by Senator Pete Wilson, because he took away the concept of equal rights in technology and in his speech regarded Tommy's behavior as being influenced by himself. This was just a little bit of goodwill that the other party gave back to the young people.
"I hope you enjoy your first date with me, Miss Ottilia Farrell, who will never date her students." Tommy personally helped Ottilia open the car door, bowed slightly to her and extended his hand.
Ottilia lowered her head to hide the embarrassment of being teased by Tommy, but still put her hand in his and let him hold her arm and walk towards the red carpet.
…
The next day, Newport City, Office of the Assistant Inspector General.
"Wow, Andy Warhol, Diana Vreeland, Beverly Johnson... You took photos with them? That's great, baby. When did you go to New York?" Ottilia's godmother, Newport County Attorney Doris Luger, looked through the photos of Ottilia with other celebrity guests at the dinner and asked in surprise.
Neither she nor her husband, Rhode Island's state superintendent of public instruction, has attended such fashion events.
Otilia said somewhat embarrassedly, "Actually, all this happened after get off work yesterday. After attending a dinner in New York, I rented a small plane and flew back to Newport. At 11:40, I was already lying on the bed in my bedroom."
"This is more surprising than hearing that you received an invitation." Doris heard her goddaughter's description and shifted her gaze from the photo to her face: "Is it a high-quality boy who is dating you?"
"It's my former student, Tommy Hawke, the kid who published his autobiography." Ottilia took out Tommy's autobiography, "I Should Die Now," and pointed to Tommy's photo on the cover.
Doris saw Tommy's photo and nodded: "This little guy looks handsome. Is he a famous writer?"
"He is studying at Stanford University. A year ago, I was still guiding him on how to get into college." Ottilia followed the other person's gaze, looked at Tommy on the book cover, and said with a smile.
Doris smiled after hearing what Otilia said: "Judging from the way he asked you out and the connections he showed, he doesn't need any help in getting into college. Getting into college is much easier than getting an invitation letter."
At four o'clock, Ottilia walked out of the government building and saw Tommy Hawke again. He was walking two dogs and trying hard to teach them to sit quietly.
"I told you, Tommy, what happened last night won't happen again... These two dogs are so cute, do you have them?" Ottilia looked at Tommy, who was pulling three leashes and greeting her. She wanted to express her attitude, but her attention was soon attracted by the furry dogs. She walked over, squatted down, stroked the dogs and asked.
Tommy handed Otilia a leash and said, "While I'm waiting for you to get off work, I want to find something to do, so I'm going to the Newport Animal Shelter to volunteer to take these poor dogs out for a walk. Let's go and return them to their cages."
"This dog is so cute." Ottilia took the leash and said as she looked at the Shetland Sheepdog.
Tommy, holding another beagle, asked Otilia, "Can I go to the movies with you tomorrow?"
"No, Tommy." Ottilia rejected Tommy's invitation without any hesitation.
"Okay." Tommy shrugged and walked towards the animal shelter with the dog and Ottilia.
…
Day 3, office.
"You adopted two dogs?" Doris asked curiously when she saw a photo of her goddaughter with two dogs on her desk.
Otilia adjusted the photo frame and explained, "No, Tommy adopted them, but he agreed to let me take care of them both temporarily."
"Very cute, what's her name?" Doris nodded in understanding.
"Tommy originally named them Dennis and Pam," Otilia said.
"But I think he did it on purpose because those two names belonged to two of his high school classmates, so I decided to name the Shetland Sheepdog Brady and the beagle Paisley."
Doris looked at the photos of the two dogs and said, "So you and Tommy went out again after get off work yesterday?"
Otilia quickly explained: "Date? No, no, no, he just helped me build the two dogs' own hut in my garden. There was no date. We kept talking about how to make the doghouse look more beautiful and comfortable. While he was working, he did ask me if he could go out to the movies tomorrow, but I said no."
"So, what do you think of this boy named Tommy?" Doris asked, leaning against Ottilia's desk.
Otilia thought for a moment and said, "He's caring and funny. You don't have to worry about the atmosphere being awkward when you're with him. That's all."
"I have a feeling, Ottilia, that you are going to fall in love. I suggest you not to eat any spicy food in the next few days, so as not to embarrass yourself when the moment of kissing comes suddenly." Doris gave her own advice after listening.
"Kissing? With your own student?" Ottilia asked in surprise, then took a deep breath:
"No, I won't kiss him, absolutely not."
"That's what I told my mother back then. She advised me not to eat stimulating foods." Doris picked up a biscuit from the iron box and put it in her mouth, then walked towards her office:
"And then...it turns out that a man's lips are always more attractive than my mother's promises, and I just happened to have eaten onions the night before the kiss, which still makes me embarrassed when I think about it now."
After get off work, Otilia saw Tommy waiting outside with a shopping cart full of ingredients. Otilia immediately shook her head:
"I'm going home, Tommy."
Tommy patted the handle of the shopping cart. "Can you give me a ride? I want to go to the nursing home and cook for the elderly there for free."
"You can cook?" Ottilia asked in surprise.
"I don't look very human?" Tommy said with a smile, "Want to try what food cooked by non-humans tastes like? Or if the elderly get food poisoning, you can call emergency services in time on the spot."
In the central kitchen of the nursing home, Tommy, wearing an apron, was skillfully cutting ingredients such as pumpkin and potatoes. His mouth was also busy, as he told Ottilia next to him about his interesting , which made Ottilia laugh from time to time.
After an interesting incident, Tommy suddenly asked, "Can I ask you to go to the movies tomorrow?"
Otilia's eyes moved, and after a pause, she smiled and shook her head: "No."
"Well, I'd better continue telling jokes." After being rejected, Tommy didn't show any lost expression and continued to cut vegetables and laughed.
…
Day 4
"Can I ask you to go to the movies tomorrow, Otilia?"
"……No."
…
Day 5
"Can I ask you to go to the movies tomorrow, Otilia?"
"……No."
…
Day 6
"Can I ask you to go to the movies tomorrow, Otilia?"
"…Maybe"
…
After get off work, Otilia went home, changed into clothes she liked, and walked out of the main door of her manor lobby. Then, she was seen by her parents on the second-floor terrace. Julian Farrell leaned on the railing and asked Otilia:
"Dinner will be ready soon, Otilia."
"I'm going to see a movie with my friends, Dad. My friend has booked a restaurant, but don't worry, I will be home before ten o'clock." Ottilia raised her head, smiled and said to her father.
Julian nodded, "No problem, baby, have fun."
After Otilia drove away, Julian looked at his wife who was sitting opposite him and playing with the two dogs:
"That child named Tommy Hawke is very mature unlike his peers. The invitation letter shows his connections, the pet shows his love, and the cooking skills show his ability... I think my baby daughter is just like what Doris described. She is probably going to fall."
"Sit still, Paisley!" Julian's wife said to her husband with a smile while teasing the pet dog beside her:
"This boy named Tommy is like a peacock spreading his tail, showing all his advantages. I think it's great. These abilities show that he can ensure that he can take good care of Ottilia on our behalf, and Ottilia doesn't have to worry about being bored when she is with him."
Julian nodded. "I understand. I'm not a stubborn and old-fashioned father, dear. I just feel a little lost. You know, the kind of feeling that your most lovely daughter no longer regards you as the only man she can rely on in her life because of the appearance of another man. Every father will be jealous and slightly hostile to his daughter's boyfriend."
The embarrassing scene of the first date that Ottilia had imagined did not happen. Tommy chatted with her as usual, and the two of them finished dinner in a relaxed atmosphere. Then they went to the cinema to watch a movie together. From beginning to end, Tommy did not express his love to her in a cheesy way, nor did he do anything overly intimate, just like every time they met before.
This date feels good. Maybe tomorrow Tommy should invite me to another date that is not really a date, but is actually a date. Otilia thought to herself as she walked out of the cinema.
Tommy accompanied Otilia to the parking lot along the moonlight. When they reached the entrance of the parking lot, Tommy stopped and looked at Otilia who continued to walk into the parking lot without noticing that he had stopped. He smiled and said, "Otilia?"
"What's wrong?" Ottilia turned around and looked at Tommy standing in the moonlight.
Tommy smiled and shook his head: "Nothing, my vacation is over, you helped me put a perfect end to it."
Otilia looked at Tommy and said in surprise: "But... there is still some time before the university officially starts... Are you saying that you are going back to California early?"
"Yes." Tommy lowered his head and thought for a moment, then looked at Otilia. "On the last night before the end of the holiday, the person of the opposite sex I like watched a movie with me. Nothing could be more perfect than this."
Otilia walked back to Tommy and looked at this older boy who always ignored his age when he was with her: "You didn't tell me that your vacation was so short."
"When you like a girl, you always want to show off everything about yourself in front of her, and then want to know more about her. I have done that this week. When we come back next holiday, I think we may be able to skip a lot of procedures." Tommy said to Otilia with a gentle look:
"I mean, dear Otilia, if I think of you some night in California, can I call you?"
Otilia looked into Tommy's eyes and shook her head: "No."
Tommy exhaled, and for the first time a self-deprecating smile appeared on his face, but he quickly shrugged: "Then I guess I will have to start the peacock's display process again next holiday."
"I mean... maybe we don't need to call to express our longing for each other. Maybe you can tell me every weekend. Just like you suddenly took me to New York, I can also suddenly appear in California." Otilia thought for a moment and said seriously, "Dear Tommy."
"Thank God. Did you know that American Airlines has launched a lifetime VIP membership card? It costs $200,000 and offers unlimited flights and free upgrades. I'll ask them to send you one as soon as possible." Tommy looked up with emotion and said to Otilia, "Family members can also receive supplementary cards. I mean... if one day... I become a family member... I can fly around like you."
"Before you allow yourself to start missing me, I want to ask you a question." Ottilia put her hands behind her back and asked Tommy.
Tommy nodded. "Sure. What's the problem?"
"Do you hope that the person you are dating is just a woman who does nothing?" Ottilia asked Tommy with bright eyes, "I just don't want to be thrown into a big, gorgeous house like a rag doll. I know you are capable of doing that, and I am also worried that that will happen. This is a big reason why I don't fall in love. I have tried to date some men introduced by my parents, but when we talked... they would rather women stay at home to take care of the family and have children."
Tommy said seriously, "Otilia, you can do a lot of things you want to do. You can quit this comfortable job and keep yourself busy, or think clearly about what you want to do and then take action. No matter what decision you make, I will support you. I have an inclusive banking project. If you are interested, I can ask Jim to send you the information. You can learn about it first. It won't make a lot of money, but it should be able to help a lot of people and give you spiritual satisfaction. If you are willing, you can try to participate in some work."
"I promised my family that I would be home before ten o'clock, but it's getting late." After hearing what Tommy said, Ottilia did not give a direct answer. She just glanced at the time on her watch and said to Tommy.
Tommy stood still: "I'm here to see you off."
Otilia nodded, turned around and prepared to walk towards her car, criticizing her godmother in her heart: "This is different from what Doris said. I... I have secretly used breath freshener twice..."
"Otilia?" Tommy called out.
"What?" Ottilia turned her head.
Tommy asked, "What will you do to me when you go to California?"
"Why do you ask?" Ottilia was stunned.
Tommy smiled. "Because I'm already missing you like I was in California."
"Maybe I will..." Otilia looked at Tommy. Tommy's face slowly approached. Otilia's breathing became a little rapid. She kissed Tommy's lips nervously but excitedly.
Just a light kiss on the lips, Tommy pulled back: "Goodnight."
"Good night." Otilia took a deep breath and looked at Tommy with a smile: "Now, my godmother's words are perfectly confirmed."
"What?"
Otilia walked towards her car, smiling as she walked. "I told her I would never kiss you, and she said a man's lips were always more tempting than her promise to my mother, and it turns out she was right. See you in California, Tommy."
"See you in California, my high school teacher girlfriend who will never date a student and definitely won't kiss me, Miss Otilia Farrell." Tommy responded with a smile in the night.
