Cross Lines

Chapter 47: Back

"I just mentioned...”

Lola folded the large towel and placed it over the small dog. Maggie immediately picked up the conversation:

"I know, I won’t tell anyone."

After saying this, Maggie's heart skipped a beat. She suddenly recalled some probing questions Jasmine had asked her earlier. Perhaps she wasn’t entirely in the dark about the situation. But even if Jasmine was kept in the dark, did that mean Emily Luo also had to be kept in the dark? Considering her relationship with Qiqi... Maggie furrowed her brows and sighed. Why did she have to tell me this? It's really troublesome!

"Is your mother Japanese?"

Maggie asked suddenly, surprising Lola. "Why do you ask that?"

"It seems like some of your daily habits are a bit similar to those from Japan."

Lola smiled when she heard this. "Maggie, you’re very observant. Actually, my mother and I lived in Japan for over twenty years when I was young, so I picked up some habits. But we're not Japanese."

Maggie nodded. "Oh, I see."

"Don’t you want to know why?"

"I'm curious, but it's private." Maggie said calmly, showing no change in her attitude towards Lola despite learning about her new identity.

"It’s actually a very cliché story. To put it nicely, it's a forbidden romance; to put it plainly, it's morally wrong."

Lola's eyes showed a touch of self-deprecating resignation as she avoided Maggie’s gaze. Noticing Lola’s discomfort, Maggie stopped looking directly at her.

"We’re not in a position to judge the past. What matters is living our own lives well."

Lola seemed grateful for this perspective but merely nodded in response.

After the small dog's injection was done, Lola insisted on accompanying Maggie back to the office. Maggie, unsure if Lola had other matters to attend to, didn’t stop her. The two of them parked and went into the Yafei headquarters building.

The design department was still brightly lit. As Maggie entered, carrying the puff pastries she bought for her colleagues as a late-night snack, she was about to speak loudly when she saw Jasmine sitting on the sofa with her long legs crossed, examining some half-finished drawings.

The words caught in her throat. Maggie lowered her voice and greeted Jasmine:

"President Gao."

Jasmine's eyes shifted from the drawings to Maggie and then to Lola standing behind her. Regardless of Lola’s real identity, she remained polite.

"President Gao."

Jasmine didn’t respond immediately. She gave both women a once-over and then glanced at the basket Lola was holding, which contained the small dog.

"Since you’re at work, try not to be too casual. It’s not like being at home."

Maggie glanced at Lola and quickly explained:

"President Gao, I’m sorry. It was my fault—"

"Alright, come over and take a look at these drawings. If Lola has no other business, she can go home now. It’s getting late, and it’s not safe."

Jasmine cut Maggie off and quickly clarified what each person should do. Feeling a bit awkward, Maggie looked at Lola, who showed no sign of displeasure.

"Alright, President Gao. I’ll leave now."

Lola placed the small dog back in its previous spot and gave Maggie a discreet look before leaving quickly.

Maggie put away the items she was carrying and walked over to Jasmine. The boss’s gaze was complex as she looked at her.

"Where did you go?"

"My dog was sick and needed injections. Sorry, President Gao. Lola came with me..."

Maggie lowered her head, looking apologetic. Jasmine wiped her forehead, appearing somewhat tired.

"It’s fine. I understand. If you have something to do, just handle it. It’s not a big deal."

"Thank you, President Gao."

Maggie sighed in relief, feeling fortunate.

When Maggie finally finished this phase of her work, it was about time for Dr. Luo to return.

These past few days had felt very peculiar for Maggie. There was a bit of joy and anticipation. The long-awaited moment of happiness felt suddenly like it belonged to her. She found herself smiling secretly while sleeping, eating, or even just washing her hands. Although work left her little time for longing, Emily Luo responded to her carefully dialed calls and texts. Maggie sighed contentedly; it had been a long time since she had tasted such sweet feelings.

As she drove into the neighborhood, with the weather warming up and the days getting longer, Maggie spotted a familiar figure standing at the entrance of the building.

The surprise felt as if it was a long-awaited relief, and Maggie parked the car askew, almost leaping out of the driver’s seat. Dr. Luo, seeing her excitedly running towards her, had a warm smile on her face.

"Why are you back today? You didn’t say anything in advance?"

Emily Luo was holding two paper bags and tilted her head. "Came back for a surprise inspection. To see if you’ve been up to anything at home?"

Maggie barely resisted the urge to hug her and just reached out. Dr. Luo naturally handed her the bags and linked her arm with Maggie’s as they went upstairs together.

Once they opened the door and Dr. Luo changed her shoes, they heard a few soft jingles. The small dog wobbled out from behind the sofa, curiously watching her.

Dr. Luo’s previously calm expression shifted to one of the same excited surprise Maggie had shown earlier. She rushed over to pick up the small dog and hugged it tightly.

"Is it standing up?!"

Although she had kept in touch with Maggie over the past few days, she hadn’t dared to ask about the condition. Knowing Maggie was busy, she assumed if there were no updates, it was because there was nothing good to report. Given the sudden best possible outcome, Emily Luo’s excitement was palpable.

"Is it okay now?"

Maggie followed her in, smiling as she stood there.

"It could only stand on its own the day before yesterday. It’s still getting injections, but the doctor said it should be fine now."

Emily Luo, being a doctor, had experienced the joy of curing severe illnesses many times, but none compared to this intense happiness. Overwhelmed, she put the small dog down, stood up, and wrapped her arms around Maggie’s neck in an embrace. The sudden move startled Maggie, but she quickly responded and embraced her tightly.

This was the first genuine hug since their relationship had been officially established. For Emily Luo, it was a natural, genuine reaction, while for Maggie, it carried many different emotions. All the previous anxieties and longings seemed to be worthwhile now. The warmth and softness of Emily Luo’s body were so delightful that Maggie felt she never wanted to let go.

When Emily Luo relaxed, she noticed Maggie still holding on. After waiting a moment with no sign of release, she playfully patted Maggie’s back.

"What’s this about?"

Maggie nuzzled her face into Dr. Luo’s neck and mumbled, "You smell good."

"What?"

Emily Luo felt ticklish and pushed her hair away. The height difference between them made Maggie's embrace quite comfortable.

Looking up, Maggie stared intently at Emily Luo’s face and seriously expressed her feelings, "I missed you."

Dr. Luo, unaccustomed to such direct expressions, blushed and started to wriggle out of Maggie’s embrace.

"I brought you a gift."

Maggie found it amusing how Emily Luo blushed so easily. Emily Luo retrieved a box from one of the paper bags and turned around with a teasing smile. Maggie blinked, puzzled.

"I remember someone saying they brought back gifts from a business trip?"

Clearing her throat, Dr. Luo spoke with a peculiar tone. Maggie, quick-witted, recalled the bar encounter and realized that although she bought a gift for Lola, she hadn’t bought one for Emily Luo.

"It’s just a small trinket. Please allow me to make a lavish dinner to make up for this historic mistake. I promise that in the future, any gifts will be for Dr. Luo first, and others will have to wait!"

Maggie squinted and leaned in, wrapping her arms around Emily Luo as they stood by the small bar. Although Emily Luo looked slender, she was soft and pleasant to hold, and Maggie feared she might become addicted to this sensation. Half-jokingly, Maggie explained and apologized, emphasizing her loyalty in a playful tone to smooth over any previous shortcomings.

Emily Luo, seeing through her playful excuses, just let it go and handed her the box.

"I asked Eva and learned you collect mugs, so I bought one. See if you like it."

Maggie raised an eyebrow. "First gift and already talking about a lifetime?"

Emily Luo squinted. "Don’t like it?"

As she reached to take it back, Maggie held the box behind her back. "No way! No take-backs!"

Dr. Luo gave her a sidelong glance. "This doesn’t seem to be the first gift, does it?"

Maggie looked up at the ceiling, pretending to think, and in a playful tone said, "The last one was also to show commitment. Oh, Dr. Luo, you’re so annoying~"

An hour before, she had been hungry and hoped to eat when someone returned. However, seeing the two of them flirting and showing no intention of eating, she had no choice but to step forward, indicating her presence and hinting that she might starve if not fed soon.