"You're finally here." Jasper was still gentle and elegant, with an outstanding temperament.
Emily nodded and asked politely, "Have you been waiting for a long time?"
"I just arrived too." He said as he led the way. "This way, I've booked a seat on the second floor."
Emily nodded and followed him through the lobby and straight into the elevator.
The environment here was very elegant, and there were many guests dining here. Especially the private room on the second floor, which was in the form of a cubicle, was warm and with the "do not disturb" settings, was very suitable for couples to dine.
Couple? Why did Jasper choose such a place? What could he be up to? Emily wondered. After all, they were just pure childhood friends. Wait, childhood friends? Oh, no, wasn't it inappropriate to call him childhood friend? He was more than ten years older than her, for crying out loud!
Strictly speaking, they should be pure neighbors. Yes, that's right, neighbors, that's all.
At the waiter's arrangement, they sat down in a private seat by the window. The waiter enthusiastically brought the menu and handed over two glasses of lemonade.
"Emily, please order something." Jasper pushed the menu to me.
"If you say so, but I won't be generous. So you know." Emily said with a smile while looking through the menu.
Jasper laughed and said generously, "As you wish, order whatever you want."
"Bring one of each of your restaurant's signature dishes. Also, two glasses of martinis. Oh, one glass first," Emily knew he was rich, so she didn't bother to be polite with him. She looked at the waiter and said. Then she looked at Jasper and asked, "What about you?"
"Open a bottle of red wine." Jasper's answer was a little unexpected to her.
After a moment of hesitation, she picked up the glass and took a sip of lemonade. Damn, what's going on? It felt like a date.
The waiter entered the number into the ordering machine and placed the order correctly, then smiled and retreated, "In just a moment."
While waiting for the food, they both chatted for a while.
He said that he followed her Instagram and didn't know that she had so many fans. He also said that he didn't know that she had such a high talent for cursing.
Emily was jokingly saying that she was actually forced into a corner by the people from Aurora Media, otherwise she wouldn't have disregarded her image as a lady.
Jasper didn't say anything, just smiled.
Later, they talked about some other things.
Regarding work matters, she just casually asked, "By the way, when do you plan to go to work in the county?"
At this time, the dishes were served and the waiter asked, "Sir, do you want to open the wine now?"
"Yes, please." Jasper responded.
The waiter poured him a glass of red wine and then left.
"The day after tomorrow."
Emily didn't know if it was her imagination, but she felt that when Jasper said this, there was a hint of reluctance and helplessness on his face, as if he had something on his mind, or as if he had an unfulfilled wish.
"That's a good thing, too! If you can hang around for a few more years, you might get promoted and get transferred out of the countryside." Emily picked up the glass of martini and said with a smile, "I wish you the best in your ambitions."
Jasper smiled, raised his glass and clinked it with mine, "I wish you good luck too."
Later, they talked a lot more.
Perhaps Jasper had been working in the government for many years and had felt helpless.
Some things kept in the heart for a long time with no place to vent them, could make people feel particularly depressed.
As the saying went, alcohol made cowards brave.
Jasper had no scruples in front of her There was no dispute over official positions or conflict of interest between them.
Some words and things had been kept in his heart for a long time, so naturally he wanted to find someone to talk to.
And to Emily, she was perhaps the most suitable person for him to confide in.
Jasper talked a lot because he drank too much.
He told her that being in the officialdom was not easy, and that drinking and socializing every day was not the life he wanted. He also said that if he had other choices, he would rather live a simple life with the woman he loved.
Emily could only keep comforting him, saying that there were too many helpless situations in their society and they could only face and confront reality.
Jasper drank a lot this day. He drank two bottles of red wine in just a moment.
Emily could even see red bloodshot in his eyes.
He stared at her for a long time, his eyes were a little hot, almost shooting out red beams of light like superman, and it made her feel uncomfortable.
Seeing that it was getting late, she said, "You've drank a little too much today. How about we leave it at that, call it a day, and go back to rest?"
After saying that, she prepared to help him leave.
But Jasper waved his hand at her and said with a smile, "I'm not drunk, my mind is clear, don't worry."
Don't worry? I'm already worried. Emily was thinking. I want to go home, okay?
She looked at the time and it was almost ten o'clock in the evening. How come he didn't even show any intention of leaving?
Looking at Jasper's slightly drunk face, she felt even more concerned! Talking to a drunk man was always a waste of time.
"Emily, do I still have a chance?" Jasper suddenly asked. He looked at Emily with deep red eyes, a look that was somewhat expectant and a little anxious.
"You've drank too much. Let me help get you home first." Emily pretended to be confused and changed the subject.
But Jasper didn't want to leave. He didn't give up. He looked at her and said bluntly, "Emily, I like you. I'm serious! We've lived in the same neighborhood since we were young. We know each other very well. When it comes to feelings, I never like to deceive myself!"
Jasper was a little sentimental at the moment. Perhaps he couldn't let go of his feelings. Now that things had come to this, Emily knew she couldn't play dumb any longer. Things like this must have an outcome!
She looked at Jasper and said apologetically, "Mr. Clarkson, you are a very good man and very kind to your friends, but I'm sorry, I don't think we are suitable for each other. We have too many differences, but I believe that with your nature and character, you will definitely find your beloved woman who loves you too. I know she's waiting for you somewhere, and you will definitely be happy together."
And Emily was right.
In her future memory, Jasper's wife was a well-educated, gentle and lovely woman! Perhaps in this world, fate was destined by God. This time when Jasper went to work in the county of Catskill, he would meet his future wife.
Emily came here through time travel, so naturally she knew everything that would happen in the next few years.
But Jasper knew nothing about it and was quite persistent.
Emily's refusal again hurt him a little, but he still insisted, "How do you know whether we're suitable or not? You don't. We can only know it after we get along with each other. Emily, I will wait for you until the day you are willing to be with me."
Emily remained silent on the surface and said nothing. But in her heart, she was complaining like a canary: Fuck off, Mr. Clarkson. You're here acting like you're Maurice Pitka, the love guru. Yet not long after you went to Catskill, you married your wife and living happily ever after. So, can you stop mudding up my brain and leave me alone?
Later, it was almost half past ten when they left the restaurant.
Jasper was drunk and couldn't drive, so Emily helped him hail a cab and prepared to take him back to his parents.