Be Your Lover Forever (Alicia)

Chapter 974

Sitting on the bench, Carney grabbed a piece of chicken wing and stripped its oily part away for Lauren before

passing it to her. "Having a little bit of it shouldn't be a big deal," he said, "I've also bought the fruits myself and

had them sliced!" "Thanks! How did you know that I'm here, Carney?" It really was an unexpected treat. He went

the extra mile getting her food!

"Well, | was taking Antoto his classmate's birthday party and it just so happened that | saw you here! Since

it'll still be a while before | go back to pick him up, | might as well drop by on my way to kill time!"

Handing her a carton of milk, Carney reached over and wiped the crumbs away from the corner of her lips.

"Haha, you're such a messy eater! Just like a kid!" teased Carney.

Lauren raised her hands to wipe her mouth while paying attention to the surroundings of the intersection and

she did not notice anything unordinary. She quirked up the corners of her mouth with amusement, blissfully

enjoying the food. It was differently heart-warming. "Strangely enough, | wasn't aware of this at first, but | felt

my hunger once | started eating!"

As she was taking the fruit box from Carney, Lauren shoved the leftover meat over to him, saying, "This is too

much. I'm almost full. You may finish it off!"

Lauren was then trying to find a piece of serviette to wipe her oil-stained hands, but before she could do that,

Carney started covering covering her grubby little hands with a piece of wet tissue.

"Lethelp you out! Don't ruin it further! The cake is specially made for you. It has only egg, milk, sugar, and

no other additives!"

"Is this from sDIY bakery?"

She was aware that there were those interesting handmade cake shops that provided professional instructors

who would prepare the ingredients, guide and assist customers, and let them bake and decorate what they want

to make, all of which according to the customers’ own preferences. The service was specially catered for

amateur bakers or anyone who simply wanted a self-baked cake as a love-token. However, that kind of works

was also extremely time-consuming, taking at least an hour to complete the whole process. Regardless of how it

turned out to be, she did not expect that he would be so nice to be doing all of those personally.

Lauren was deeply touched by Carney's effort despite the cake's appearance that was not that great. It looked

ordinary and was slightly burnt on the sides.

What a meticulous man he was!

He was a lot like her ex...

Lauren's reminiscence about Zedd induced a thump on her heart that very moment and soon all her affections

she felt earlier suddenly dissipated as her eyes fell on that heart-shaped cake in the box.

She took a bite of the fruit, her initial enthusiasm was half gone. "Actually, you don't have to be so nice to me,

Carney..."

Regardless of whether he had any ulterior motives or not, never would she be able to reciprocate.

Seemed to have read her mind, Carney spoke first before she could.

"Since we're all away from home, shouldn't we take care of each other? As wandering aliens in this metropolis,

it'd definitely be better for us to have more helpful friends who could help us out. It's no biggie at all. Don't

mention it! If | were to get really busy, even if you askto deliver meals to you, placing food- delivery orders

would be the most that | can do for you then..."

Lauren nodded. "Oh yes, you've got a point!" she began to more open-minded and replied, "I always overthink

everything and worry too much. Pardonfor killing the vibe and making myself a laughing stock!"

It was true. She used to be so overcautious in making her decisions, and yet was still blinded. After all, there

were so many menaces she had longed to shun but did not manage to. She immediately cto accept the

reality that she should instead take things as they came!

The two of them continued having their meals and chatted for a little while more before Carney accompanied

Lauren to distribute the flyers. He would occasionally help distribute them too. When there was no one on the

street, they passed the tchitter- chattering and laughter flowed freely that whole night. Behold, they were

just like a lovely couple being playful and having fun together...

With the shopping bag clenched in his fist, Willy's eyes were locked on the street right in front of him. His heart

sank into his boots. He then flung his hand away and just threw the bag into a trash can. Outraged, he turned

around and took out his cell phone. "Thanks. You're always welcto cand experience it yourself! What's

more, there will be small gifts being given away this weekend..."

As she was enthusiastically promoting, bit by bit Lauren was able to open up herself. Seeing that another whole

stack of flyers were almost finished being distributed, she could not help smiling and happily murmured, "Indeed

many hands make light work!" Lauren dipped into her big backpack and took out a small bottle of mineral water.

She then walked over to Carney and said, "Passthe flyers, Carney!"

Taking the remaining bits of flyers from his hands, Lauren handed the water bottle over to Carney. "Drink some

water and rest for a while. Also, it's tfor you to leave! It's almost nine o'clock now, don't let Antowait too

long!"

After sconsideration, Lauren

thought she could continue the work on her own for another half an hour. After all, there happened to be an

event themed as "Gourmet Festival & Health Week", which was just around the corner. The streets nearby were

going to be especially lively at night. Sports was also a key measure of optimal well-being and was a right fit for

the event's theme.

"It's still early!" Carney replied, "Antowill givea call anyway before he finishes! Letstay with you a

little bit longer, and perhaps | can also give you a ride!"

While they were still busy discussing, suddenly they heard sheavy treads approaching. Staring at each

other, both of them were startled.

"What's going on?" In the blink of an eye, a huge crowd on the street retreated, as though they were either

running away from a ghost or a disaster. Lauren seemed to be still in confusion.

Carney lifted up his eyes and looked around, saying, "It looks like they're from the City Council! Are we actually

allowed to set up stalls and distribute flyers here?"

"Huh?"

How could that be even possible? She had been doing it there for a couple of days! Although there were patrols

from tto time, nothing had happened so far. In fact, she even gave sflyers to one of the patrollers two

days ago and not only that, there were also people who initiatively left her their phone numbers!

Lauren was apparently still in a daze when several men dressed in security officer uniforms had already walked

towards her, waving their glowing batons.

"Dismissed! Dismissed! Hurry up, no set-up of stalls; no distribution of flyers; no more racket! Get out of here

within ten minutes or you'll be held detention and fined for disturbing public order!"

Being driven out of that street, Lauren was utterly resigned. When she was just about to go to another street and

have a look, she was being chased away once again the moment she distributed just two flyers. Her hands were

tied and there was nothing she could do about it. Without much thought Lauren could only pack up her things

and called it a day ahead of schedule.

Although it was merely a part-time

job, as long as she could hit the target within the stipulated period, she would be granted the fitness club's VI

annual membership that was worth 3,000 dollars. As the fitness club provided an indoor swimming pool facility,

which was something that Sharon really liked, Lauren had been working really hard in order to earn the

membership as a present for her.

The next morning, Lauren purposely arrived at work way earlier than usual, but not long after she gave out two

pieces of flyers, scity council officers cto disperse the crowd again. Lauren was feeling depressed

because of it. There were four main streets that stretched out from the fitness club's location. Sadly, no matter

which direction she turned to, it seemed like there were always people chasing her away. She had spent literally

more than two hours just fruitlessly walking on the streets!

"Woe is me! Why are stalls still allowed to be set up, but all of a sudden, distribution of flyers is forbidden?"

ranted Lauren, for she was even prohibited to place flyers on car windscreens! However, if she could not get all

the flyers distributed in two days' time, then she would not be eligible for the club's annual membership...

Lauren got herself to a corner by a roadside and leaned against the street wall. After taking a quick break, she

helplessly sighed in despair. Just as she was soaking herself in disconsolation, she suddenly heard a low male

voice.

"Yes, yes, don't worry, Mr. Bowles! Each street will be patrolled once every ten minutes. | can guarantee that no

one will randomly hand out flyers on the streets!"

"Right, right! We're just being mindful of the city's image. We shall be equally serious at night as in the day!"

"No, no! We didn't touch her at all, and we didn't chase her away by force. We just instructed her to leave...

However, pity that poor young lady! To be honest, she's indeed the most cooperative person I've ever met. She

left immediately when asked!"

As the man spoke, his words exuded ssympathy too. Understanding between humans were always a two-

way-street to begin with. In fact, the more orderly and well behaved she was, the more he couldn't bring himself

to be mean towards her as well. "No, no, Mr. Bowles, don't worry! Within a two-kilometre radius of the city, there

wouldn't be anymore distribution of flyers within these ten days! Got it, got it..."

Lauren felt a buzz in her head. Eyes glowering, she thought to herself. What did that mean? Was it him who

called the city council to drive her out of there?