Yve had arrived earlier than the agreed time. The instant he saw me enter, he handed me the menu and asked me what I would like to drink.

I raised my hand to reject his gentle offer and cut to the chase. "Mr. Kelsey, please speak your mind."

There was one minute of silence. During this minute, Yve took a sip of coffee, coughed three times, and compressed his lips into a thin line ten times.

I didn't get why it was so hard for him to tell me about the dismissal.

I took out the resignation letter from my bag. There were only two sentences written on it: [Mr. Kelsey, thank you for your recognition of my competence over the past month. I may never be able to find a job that pays 100,000 dollars a month in the future.]

I unfolded the letter and placed it in front of Yve. He looked astonished and puzzled as he asked, "Are you intending to resign?"

Although I didn't have a decent job after graduating from college, I could earn enough money to support myself by working as a freelance illustrator.

I honestly didn't want to lose this job with facile earnings, but before I could say anything, Yve's following words shocked me even more.

"If you think the pay is not enough, how about..."

He tore up the resignation letter, threw it aside, and took another sip of coffee.

"We date."

"How about what?"

My voice and Yve's voice sounded at the same time.

In a trance, I felt that Yve looked awkward.

I was not sure. Perhaps I needed to take a closer look.

I swear I never expected Yve to mention a relationship between us.

Especially it happened after I was caught red-handed at the club yesterday.

Yve cleared his throat and explained, "Well, there is a banquet that requires me to attend with a female companion. I don't have any women around me who are available, so I would like to trouble you to accompany me there and have a date with me."

I uttered an embarrassed laugh and quickly responded, "Sure, not a problem at all, Mr. Kelsey."

I could get things done for money, but I should get an additional price for dating him!

Less than an hour later, when I arrived at the place I tutored Raymond, he already looked aggrieved and gloomy.

"Are you really in a relationship with Yve?"

Raymond shook my shoulders in disbelief.

"My one million dollars! I still want to buy a sports car!" he exclaimed in dejection.