Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Chapter 157: I’m Back, Tim

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Samantha placed down the cup and sat straight as she looked at him and said, “You can tell me anything, Dr. Sherwood.”

‘You…’

Everything he wished to say to her seemed to get stuck as soon as she spoke.

Alan pursed his lips tightly and kept quiet.

His intention was to at least confess his feelings to her and have no regrets when he left.

However, he was worried about burdening Samantha if he spoke up just so he would not have any regrets.

It was exhausting to keep holding in feelings that could never be reciprocated.

That was also a reason why people would rather keep their feelings to themselves than speak out—they were afraid of the possibility that they would not even be able to remain friends.

Alan had a conflicted look in his eyes and he still could not bring himself to say anything.

He looked right at her and spoke in his heart. ‘Sammy, I like you. You’re an amazing woman, but I let you slip through my hands because I didn’t understand my feelings for you back when you were abroad. I envy Timothy for getting a second chance even after missing the first one because my chance is gone and I will never be able to get it back. My only hope…is that you’ll be happy in the future.’

After saying all that silently, he finally spoke up in a soft voice, “Sammy… You can always look for me if you need anything in the future.”

She initially thought it was something else due to his solemn expression, but it turned out to be just that.

After breathing a sigh of relief, she smiled and said, “I’m really lucky to have you as a friend, Dr. Sherwood. If you ever need my help in the future, please let me know too!”

Alan unknowingly wanted to reach out to pat her head when he saw her smile, but he quickly restrained himself from doing so.

He opened his lips and responded softly. “Sure.”

His phone then rang and he glanced at the caller ID to see that it was a call from his driver. It was probably a reminder that it was time for him to go to the airport.

He muted the call and said, “I have to go, Sammy.”

“Then I’ll send—”

Alan interrupted her before she could finish her words. “You don’t need to. We’ll just say goodbye here.”

Since he could not tell her his innermost thoughts, his only hope was for her to send him away.

“Ah?” A trace of confusion appeared in Samantha’s eyes, but she decided to honor his wishes when she saw how serious he was. “Alright, Dr. Sherwood. Have a safe flight home. Goodbye.”

Alan smiled, got up, and walked away.

Each step he took was taking him further and further away from her.

His ride was already waiting outside and he walked over. The driver opened the back seat for him and he turned to have one last look at the cafe.

He hoped that Samantha would be happy and healthy. Although that meant they would not see each other again, he still wished for her to be happy and healthy.

Alan then retracted his gaze resolutely and bent over to get into the car.

The car door was closed and the car started driving away.

…

Samantha drank her latte, paid the bill, and looked at the receipt with a touch of melancholy.

For all the kindness that Alan showed her, she could only pay him back with a cup of coffee.

She did not have plenty of friends either, and with Alan’s departure, she would have one less friend. There was a feeling of regret because she did not know if there would be a chance for them to meet again in the future.

Samantha had the sudden urge to look for someone to talk to and tell them what was on her mind, so she unconsciously took out her cell phone and wanted to call Timothy.

However, she stopped herself again.

She was not a clingy person who would call Timothy even though they had only been away from each other for a while.

Besides, Timothy’s work had piled up during his injury and his work for the morning had to be pushed to the afternoon after he took time out to buy clothes and jewelry for her. He was probably concentrating on handling his work, so it was better for her not to disturb him.

He went back to the villa for dinner every night too, so she could still talk to him later in the evening.

…

At the Barker Group, Timothy presided over a video conference in the afternoon and it was already half-past five when it ended.

He leaned back in the chair and massaged his tired eyebrows.

A notification was soon heard from his phone.

Timothy held his phone up and looked at it. He then clicked on the popup as soon as he saw that it was a WeTalk message.

Samantha: [Grandma says she’s going to cook your favorite sauerkraut fish tonight! What time will you be back?]

Timothy smiled and typed out a text on the on-screen keyboard.

[Are you urging me to come back? Do you miss me already?]

[...Not at all. I was asking on Grandma’s behalf.]

[Since she’s the one asking, could you let her know not to prepare the fish? I might not come home tonight.]

Samantha sent an angry emoji over to him.

Timothy continued: [Are you still asking on grandma’s behalf?]

After a wait of about three seconds, Samantha finally replied: [I’m the one asking okay. You happy now?]

Timothy’s expression turned cheery and he replied: [Since this is a personal request from Mrs. Barker, it’s only right that I come back home at once.]

It was rare for Samantha to take the initiative and urge him to go home for dinner, and fulfilling her request was the proper thing to do.

After putting down the phone, he felt that his exhaustion had all been swept away.

Ronald knocked on the door, walked in, then placed all the documents he had earlier sorted on the desk. “Mr. Barker, these are the meeting minutes from earlier. Please have a look.”

“Yeah,” Timothy said while flipping through the minutes. “Cancel my dinner plans tonight. I’m going home for dinner.”

Ronald was not too surprised and nodded. “Understood.”

Timothy signed his name at the end of the document and raised his gaze at Ronald, who was still standing there. “Anything else?”

“Well, there’s one other thing...”

Ronald hesitated for a few seconds and decided to just tell Timothy. “About that problem you told me to investigate. I’ve already found...”

Timothy’s cell phone rang before Ronald could finish speaking.

He initially thought it was from Samantha, but it turned out to be an unfamiliar number when he picked it up and glanced at it.

Few people know his personal phone number.

He lifted his chin and glanced at Ronald, who stopped talking immediately. He then swiped his finger on the screen and answered, “Hello.”

A gentle and instantly recognizable female voice came from the other end of the line. “Hey, Tim. It’s me.”

Timothy’s eyes glowed slightly.

Ronald heard the voice on the phone and thought to himself, ‘Looks like I don’t need to tell him about Ms. Johnson anymore. She called him right away.’

Timothy did not say anything, not that Harmony seemed to mind. She giggled softly and continued, “I’m back. I came back a few days ago.”

Timothy finally opened his mouth and spoke in a faint voice, “Is that so.”

“I didn’t tell you before because I wanted to give you a surprise! Don’t be angry..” After a pause, Harmony said again, “Zachary is holding a little gathering tonight to welcome me back. You’ll come, won’t you?”