Single Mother: Struggling With The Dangerous CEO

Patrick only smiled as if he was used to being in this situation.
Kirstine ordered two more meals because there were more people.
Sophia sat beside Patrick, but she could not breathe properly.
So, she stood up and told them that she needed to use the restroom.
Sophia, who was hurrying away, seemed to be panicking inside.
Patrick got up and followed her after he finished smoking.
He knew that Sophia was stubborn and good at hiding her pain, so maybe she didn't tell them that she was injured.He was
right.When he walked to the corner to the restroom, Patrick saw Sophia rubbing her wrist.Her expressions implied that she was
in pain.
Patrick took a few steps forward.
His high-class black leather shoes made a sound as they landed on the marbled floor.Sophia immediately stopped what she was
doing when she heard it.
"Where are you hurt?" he asked.
Patrick approached her, grabbed her hand, and pulled her closer to him with no explanation.
Sophia couldn't help but cry out as she felt an intense pain in her wrist.Her eyes puffed and turned red with crying.
"Come on, let's go.I'll take you to the hospital to take a look if you are seriously hurt” Patrick urged.
Sophia could still hear Patrick's faint and inaudible sigh.
It made her suddenly say, "I did not intend to get your sister hurt, okay?"
She thought Patrick sighed because of that reason? How well did she believe she knew him?
"Who would want to talk to you about this?!" Patrick exclaimed.
His only concern was if Sophia had an injury, nothing more.

Sophia noticed he was dressed simply in a casual shirt and trousers today.His perfect physique was displayed as the shirt
hugged his body tightly.
With one hand in his pocket and his eyes filled with sadness, the minty scent followed Patrick wherever he went.
When he was close, he still reeked of cigarette smoke.It seemed that he just had one.
"Your sister suddenly called me today and asked me out.But, I believe even if she likes me and wants to be friends, we will
always meet and be involved.So, can you please tell her not to ask me out to meet me again in the future?"
Sophia softly requested.
Patrick took out another cigarette from his pocket and lit it.
Swirls of white smoke rose in spirals from it.
When he spoke, his voice sounded a little hoarse and low.For Sophia, it was pleasant to hear, though a bit domineering.
"That is your business.If you have anything to say to Kirstine, tell it straight to her.You don't need to go through me to deliver your
message” he muttered.
Sophia nodded.
Patrick was right.
This was her own business.
If she had something to say to Kirstine, she should be the one to say it.
How could she ask him to say it? So, Sophia felt stupid saying those words.She thought her brain was pretty useless and felt
regretful.
"Okay, I will" she briefly said.
Then, Sophia nodded politely and walked towards the table without saying anything else to him.
The waiter had already served the dishes they ordered when she sat down.
However, Kirstine and Skyler didn't start eating yet.They patiently waited for her and Patrick.

"I'm sorry.I've been gone for a while’ Sophia apologized.
Patrick also came back and sat down.He called the waiter over with a snap of his fingers.
"Prepare all the dishes and divide them in small proportion before bringing them up.Thank you" he demanded.
When Patrick finished speaking, he still wanted to smoke.Kirstine noticed it and put weight on her tone when she warned him.
"Patrick, stop that.We are going to eat.Stop smoking" she said.
Patrick didn't say anything and put away the pack of cigarettes back in his pocket.
People who never smoked wouldn't get it.Smoking would be more addicting if others kept suppressing it.
That was what Patrick thought, but he kept silent.
The waiter served all of the dishes into small portions and served them again.
The four of them ate quietly until Skyler's phone rang.
Even though Skyler was still a year away from graduating, Kirstine and Patrick knew that he had a girlfriend.It was the one
calling.
Skyler was deep in love, and none of his elder siblings objected.
Moreover, he had already reached the age when he should have fallen in love.
Besides, a young man needed to fall in love and have someone to be with him until he grew old.
So, when he aged, he would not look pitiful and sad being alone.
Skyler excused himself and picked up his phone.
His voice suddenly became gentle.
"Yes, I am eating outside.What's wrong, Stacey? Please, don't cry’ he mumbled.
Skyler looked bossy and domineering most of the time.

But who would have guessed he'd be so patient, obedient, and caring when it came to his girlfriend? Kirstine frowned.She acted
like a mother, worried that her patient and kind son would get bullied by others if he kept acting like this.She wanted Skyler to be
stronger.
Who wouldn't want their relatives to be the boss or dominant in their relationships? Their relatives should wear the pants rather
than be led by the other party, which Skyler failed to do because he was so into Stacey.
It turned out that the things he usually told his sibling about his relationship with Stacey were all just bragging! Skyler hung up the
phone, and Kirstine casually chimed in.
"Was that your girlfriend? What happened? Why is she crying?" she asked.
"It's nothing.My girl has a soft personality.She only knows how to cry when she's being bullied."
Skyler only said a few words and then checked his watch.
He appeared to be in a hurry, but he did not say anything rashly because they were eating.He was curious, though.
Sophia ate the food in front of her, her mind only hoping that the time would be faster so that she could end this meal early.
Patrick was already full.
His stomach would ache if he continued.
So, he stopped eating after a few bites and quietly sat.
Absorbed with their thoughts, the four of them kept eating.
However, Kirstine couldn't help but ask Skyler when she noticed he looked at his watch again.
"Skyler, I knew you had a girlfriend before.But I still don't know her name and where she works?"
"Her name is Stacey, and she works in a department store nearby; Skyler answered after thinking about it.
‘Stacey? Stacey? That name rings a bell? Kirstine thought that this name was familiar.She suddenly remembered a footwear
store they visited while shopping earlier.
"Is she a sales agent at a footwear store in the mall? Is she thin and tall?" she asked.

Skyler nodded and also inquired, "Have you seen her?"
Kirstine was right.
Kirstine put down the utensils in her hand and couldn't help but say, "That girl has such a weak personality.What do you like
about her? When I was shopping with Sophia earlier, I saw her being reprimanded by their sales manager for quite a while.But, I
didn't even see or hear her refute a word.If she becomes your wife, I will not be happy about it.I can't stand her personality, Even
though I don't care about the social status, I hope in the future, your girlfriend will be strong and wealthy enough to help you in
your endeavors."
She had a point, but Skyler disagreed.
"That's because you don't understand Stacey.She only put up with it because she wanted to make money.I told her before that I
didn't want her to work.Just live silently and easily as my woman, but she refused to listen.She stayed on her work and insisted
on staying despite the bullying.I remember you said that my current internship salary is enough for her two months of salary to
support her.Why does she have to do that? I am so stressed!"
Patrick had always understood and tolerated Skyler's behavior as the older brother.
However, Kirstine was different.She had been strict with Skyler.
Skyler didn't get a response from Kirstine.
She seemed angry, but Sophia stared at him and answered instead, "The girl choose to stay with you not because of money.So,
she genuinely likes you.It's not because you can give her any material things.What you have to bear, you have to endure it
yourself.If she was like this from the start, you wouldn't even like her so much."
Skyler nodded and felt that what Sophia had said sounded reasonable.
Then, he asked her with a smile, "If there is anything wrong with Stacey and me, can I ask you an advice?"
Sophia also responded with a smile, but she refused.
"It's not like I'm an expert when it comes to love!" Skyler glanced at Patrick and stared back at Kirstine.
He heaved a sigh.
After the meal, Sophia finally felt free of her worries and doubts in mind.

Meanwhile, Skyler rushed to go to Stacey and left immediately.
Kirstine's foot was injured, so Sophia helped Patrick guide her to get inside the car.After that, she was ready to bid goodbye.