CH 18

Emily asked me with a different expression, the one I’ve never seen before.

“Haley, what brings you here?”

“Oh. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I was looking around for a real estate office agent.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Real estate office agent? Why are you looking for it?”

“I have to open a newspaper office around here.”

“Really? Wow. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.You must have made a lot. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Everything around here is expensive. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Are you going to buy a building?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“No, I don’t have the money for that, I’m just going to rent it.”

There was a flash of interest in Emily’s violet eyes. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.She took my hand and brought herself close to me. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Her body had a faint scent of whiskey she drank the day before.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“First floor or second floor?”

“Second floor. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.However, everything is expensive here, so there aren’t many places with cheap rent.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

I removed my hand from Emily’s grasp, but she didn’t seem to mind about it. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Instead, she actively asked me another question.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“It seems that you’re looking for an office. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Is it okay if it’s a little further from the main street?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Yes. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Why? Do you know some places?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“You know, I know the right place. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.How much would you give if I told you?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Nothing was free in this world, but Emily has a tendency to overestimate money. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Even at the last photoshoot, she suggested that she could take extra money if her level was raised a little higher, so she refused.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

‘If I raise the level even higher, I might be taken to the National Police Agency for disorderly conduct and be considered a nuisance.’

Only the healthy underwear catalog suits her. Nevertheless, the atmosphere was like a magazine similar to the name of a modern coffee blend. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.And my strategy worked well for the readers. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.‘The Red’ has a good sales rate, and so far no sergeant or policeman has come to pick me up. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It was a success.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“What price do you want?”

Emily’s eyes lit up when I questioned her.

“How much can you give me?”

From my confident demeanor, she must have known about the good sales of ‘The Red’. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.In that case, I could give Emily the real estate agent’s money in exchange. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Meanwhile, I offered Emily a lower fee.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Let’s see first. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.If I like the office and if I sign the contract, I’ll give you about 10 silver coins.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Wow. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Really? That’s like my income working for 2 days in a bar. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Alright!”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Emily grinned, seemingly having forgotten the incident with the man earlier. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Emily smiled so much and I never considered too cheerful to be someone who would do such a thing. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

I was curious about her story while working at the bar. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I wanted to ask Emily how she came to be with that man. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.However, I decided against it because I thought everyone has their own secrets.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Where would you like to take me?”

“Do you know that Madam always orders me to buy bread every morning? It’s so annoying. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.She keeps asking me to run errands because I’m younger compared to the other women in the bar. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.She should quit buying in this store because the bread is dirty and cheap.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

I wondered what she wanted to say that made the introduction feel so long. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I kept listening to Emily’s talkative words.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Of course I can’t stop now. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I need to keep earning money until my younger brother finishes his studies. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I don’t know why his tuition fees are so expensive. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Are you also smart? Do you know some people who got into Morris Academy?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

I nodded.

“Yes, my friend goes there too.”

Despite the fact that Charon was not smart at all. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.To be honest, she got into the academy thanks to her parents’ work at the Imperial Palace.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Emily continued to speak.

“My younger brother made it to Morris Academy and is currently studying. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Only a few talented people from the commoners would usually get admitted there. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Thanks to the recommendation of the Count of Swalde in my hometown, my younger brother was finally able to enter there. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Our Theo will become an official and start working at the Imperial Castle in the future.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

She was really proud of her younger brother and kept bragging about him. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.She bragged in front of me as if she was the one going to work in the empire instead of his younger brother.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Do you know that there has never been a man with such talent in my family? That’s why I came to the capital to pay for my brother’s tuition and living expenses. The cost of living in the city was also quite large. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.My mother in the countryside was sick, so I had to send money to her as well. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Oh, really, how much money have I spent? Even if I received a weekly wage, there was nothing left in my hands. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Do you think this makes sense?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

After talking about her younger brother, she quickly turned into a complaint about her city life. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Emily was quite talkative, probably because she was used to dealing with a lot of people.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Working at the bar is too hard. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I always feel sick from having to drink every day. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.However, I received a letter stating that my brother won first place at the academy. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.He would be graduating soon, so I just needed to continue working at the Madam’s bar until then. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I hope there are going to be customers who give me a lot of tips today.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

While listening to her story, I stared at her quietly. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Thick layer of makeup and clothes that didn’t match her age. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.However, the jewelry on Emily’s ears and neck were custom jewelry upon closer look. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Also, the dress was made of cheap materials.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

The average child who looked beautiful dressed up like that was just an ordinary girl from an ordinary family.

‘She worked so hard to the extent that she didn’t get to spend a penny on herself.’

For some reason, my appearance in my previous life overlapped with this child’s appearance.

Did I also look that way when I lived with my parents in my previous life?

I forgot about it for a moment. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Because Bella, my mother in the current life, raised me by giving warm love to me who was born again. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Perhaps, thanks to my mother Bella, my painful past gradually began to be forgotten.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

When I didn’t reply to Emily, she closed her mouth for a moment. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Did I look at her with an overly blatant gaze? Emily looked at me, and she must have felt that I felt sorry for her. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Was it like that?read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Why don’t you stop being responsible for your family while you’re in the middle of being independent? You’re also very old enough.”

Oops. I gave words of advice to my past self without realizing it. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It felt so cold.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

I was more surprised by what I said. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I covered my mouth with one hand and examined Emily’s face again, who was walking straight to me. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Emily’s expression stiffened for a moment upon hearing my advice. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Of course, she smiled back as if she had never done such a thing. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.However, I thought I had acted impertinently.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“I apologize. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I said something rash without knowing the situation.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Emily shrugged her shoulders when I gave a brief apology and changed the subject casually.

“Oh, alright. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.What was I going to talk about before?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“The bakery.”

“That’s right! The bakery. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The bread tastes good, but the location isn’t great, so I guess business isn’t doing well. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I heard that the owner is going to clean up the second floor and rent it out. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.However, I heard that it’s not doing well because it’s located in a remote area.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Really?”

Was that the owner’s privilege? Somehow, I felt that things would work out. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Emily led me on by telling common stories, such as saying that the weather was nice, expressing her wish to take a sandwich, and go play on this kind of day. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.After some meaningless chatter, we stopped in front of a small two-story building.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Was it because there was a bakery on the first floor? The building Emily introduced to me was made of red bricks with the smell of fresh bread and a warm atmosphere.

‘Do I feel comfortable?’

I had to walk quite long from the main road, but the bakery building had a road that could fit a carriage. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Most importantly, the building was very sunny because it was on high ground.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

‘I’ve gotten used to the scenery around her. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I think I’ve seen it somewhere.’read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Have I ever visited this bakery?

Emily took my hand and led me.

“Haley. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Let’s go inside. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I’ll introduce you to the boss.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

When I opened the door and walked in, the bell rang loudly. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.A chubby, short brown-haired man sitting at the guest table immediately stood up from his chair.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Welcome! Welcome to Tom Baker’s bakery.”

Perhaps because there were few customers, the owner welcomed us with a bit of extra gestures than usual. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.He smiled brightly, and when he saw Emily standing next to me, he pretended to know. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.He said that Emily was a regular customer.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Oh, is our pretty girl here? What brings you here in broad daylight?”

“I didn’t come here to buy bread today. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I came because I have other things to do.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Really? Such a pity. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I have some remaining madeleine for sale. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Can you bring it over later?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“If you give it to me for free, I won’t hesitate to take it.”

The bakery owner held a pair of tongs and put the dried madeleine and some dried bread into a paper bag. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Emily looked at him from behind and clapped her hands as if she recalled something which has been in the back of her mind.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Oh, that’s right. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Sir, have you gotten a tenant for the 2nd floor yet?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Then the bakery owner let out a long sigh.

“Not yet. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Someone already came yesterday, but they asked for separate construction to eliminate the entrance and stairs from outside. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It would be inconvenient if someone had to go up through the bakery. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.So I just kicked him out. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It would take a lot of money to renovate it. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Oh, Gosh.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“How much is the monthly rent on the 2nd floor?”

“50 silver coins.”

“Wow. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.That’s expensive.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Expensive?! My house is probably the cheapest in the capital, isn’t it?”

“Please lower it a little more. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Then, my friend here will sign the contract with you.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

I hadn’t even seen the office yet and Emily had already brought up the contract. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Surprised, I tried to quickly interrupt their conversation. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Then, after a while, the bakery owner said something which surprised me.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Huh? Are you Emily’s friend? Are you looking for a place to start a business?”

“Yes, my friend is the one who will manage it even though she doesn’t look good right now. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Last time, she said everything she wanted to say to madam. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.She was so cool back then.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Really? Well, that’s all! I’m in a good mood now. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.If you sign the contract today, you only need to pay 40 silver coins.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Wow! That’s great for you, Haley!”

Emily finalized all the negotiations between us without having to throw much effort.

‘40 silver coins for a month is almost equal to free.’

Emily and the bakery owner looked at me while waiting for an answer. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.In response to their expectations, I gave a positive answer.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Alright, let’s sign the contract.”

I was suspicious that the 2nd floor would look so bad and even collapse after I signed the contract, or the doors and interior decorations would have been completely removed…. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.but on the other hand, I also didn’t think so. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I felt anxious as I picked up the pen to sign the contract.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Hey, I’m going to sign the contract today. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Can we go upstairs and see the office first?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Oh, that’s right, Sir. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The 2nd floor is in perfect condition, right? If you lie to my friend, I’ll never come here to buy bread again!”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Don’t worry. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The 2nd floor is very neat. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Why don’t you go up and see it for yourself now?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

As soon as the bakery owner’s uncle gave the permission, we ran up the stairs excitedly.

The second floor was more spacious and cleaner than I thought. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.In fact, I could open an office right away and hang up the newspaper company’s signboard. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Moreover, the deep brown walnut door looked very pretty at the entrance of the office.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Office work was originally done here, and this open space was made for customers. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I made it this way so that customers could buy bread and come here to eat and chat. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Emily, as you know, most of the guests who come to my house are mostly requesting takeaways. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The 2nd floor is completely useless.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

In this bright office, I see a bright future for my Golden Goose Daily company, which would definitely grow into a major newspaper. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.This was a place that made me feel very familiar and comfortable.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Let’ sign the contract right now. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.How about a five-year long-term contract?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

There was no way I’d miss a place like this.