My Killing President novel Chapter 65

“Looks good on me, no?”

“Not worth the price.” Mu commented. Although it’s fairly cheap, but anyone could easily tell the bracelet was decent at best, definitely not worth spending on.

“Well, it depends on how you see it. If you like it, then it’s worth every penny; otherwise, it’s worthless!” Annabelle laughed merrily and lifted the bracelet, “Fifteen bucks isn’t that much for me, but for her it could mean bread and butter. I am happy too, giving is receiving!”

Annabelle always looked at the brighter side and that put a hearty smile on Mu’s face.

As they continued to explore, they came across a group of romping children. They were so full of spirit and energetic and it brought joy to Annabelle.

As Annabelle looked further to the side, she noticed an old man sitting all alone. He had a short hair with salt and pepper tint and Annabelle reckoned he must be in his seventies because his face was time chiselled. He looked a bit spiritless, as if life had robbed him of something precious.

Annabelle noticed that his hands were clenched and he was holding onto something dear.

“What are you looking at?” Mu nudged her.

Annabelle gestured her face towards the reclusive old man, and Mu followed her gaze and noticed him too. Once Mu saw him, his eyebrows furrowed and he stepped forward.

“Mr. Lee!” He called out louder than usual.

Annabelle was clueless, you knew him?

The man raised his head, and once he saw Mu, his face wrinkled a big wide smile, “Tian? Tian, You are back!” The man had a surprising voice, a gravel-and-gravy mix of whiskey roughness and educated brogue.

“Yeah, how have you been?!”

“I’m well, very well!” The man he called Mr. Lee seemed overjoyed talking to Mu.

Annabelle signalled Mu and lip-spoke to him, “You know him?”

Mr. Lee then took notice of her and shifted his attentiveness on her. In the same time, Mu put his arm around Annabelle’s shoulder and spoke gleefully, “This is my girlfriend!”

Girlfriend?

Annabelle looked at Mu in baffle, she knew he was just acting up but didn’t understand why would he tell such a meaningless lie.

“WOW, she’s so pretty, as expected of my boy! Only Tian could get himself such a fine girl!” Mr. Lee yammered excitedly.

“Actually…”

Before Annabelle could continue, Mu tightened his arm and cuddled her in. He whispered softly to her ear, “Give the man something to look forward to, please…”

Although she didn’t know what Mu was referring to, but she can feel his heavy-heartedness. So she turned to a smiling face and played along.

For the rest of the evening, they were spending time together with Mr. Lee.

Annabelle noticed that their relationship was rather odd, Mu referred to him respectfully as Mr. Lee, but the old man spoke to him so intimately…as if he was talking to his son.

Annabelle was quizzed with millions of questions. Somewhere along the line she even thought that Mu was pretending for the sake of his private agenda. Thankfully, Mr. Lee was an interesting old man and he was very hospitable, the two of them had a relaxing evening.

The sky turned rich amber and then gradually mauve. As the beautiful sunset ended its glory, Mu and Annabelle decided to take their leave. Mr. Lee followed them all the way and sent them right into the car, then he walked back companionlessly.

Annabelle looked at him ambivalently through the window. His lonely figure amongst the crowded street painted a picture of melancholy in her heart.