Such a Rude and Noisy Woman novel Chapter 185

"Okay, I'll go. I'm free on Sunday, " Rachel replied readily.

"Well, that's good, " said Joanna, cheerfully, and then she turned to Hiram. "Take Rachel with you to the auction this Sunday. Buy whatever Rachel likes. I'll repay you for the expense." With that, she picked up the cup of milk to have a sip.

"Hiram, I'll be leaving now. I hope you both enjoy your dinner. Rachel, come over with Hiram for dinner when you're available, "

Said Joanna as she stood up and proceeded to walk towards the door, smiling.

Hiram and Rachel accompanied her to the elevator and bid her a fond farewell.

Watching his mother leave, Hiram held Rachel's hand and said gently, "You don't have to go to the charity auction if you don't want to. I just don't want you to force yourself to do anything because of my mother."

"Why do you say that? I've already promised mom that I would go, so why not? It's not a big deal really." Rachel raised her head to look at him, wondering what he was worried about.

Hiram stared back into her deep, endless black eyes. She was so pure and sincere. Why did his mother invite Rachel to the auction? Although Rachel didn't know the reason behind it, he did.

"I'll take you to a place tonight and then you'll know why I said that."

Hiram decided to tell Rachel of his mother's intentions. He didn't want to see her bewildered and caught by surprise at the auction when she finally realized what she was facing.

The couple had dinner together after dark. Then Hiram changed into casual sportswear as they were about to go to the People's Park, which was the largest park in H City, for a walk.

They walked around the park, hand in hand, hearing people make small talk. Soon she realized Hiram's intention of bringing her there.

Rachel heard at least three people talking about the kidnapping incident that happened at the theater. They were disputing the rights and wrongs of the case, and mainly Hiram's decision to choose his sister instead of his wife.

One person accused Hiram of being an unfaithful husband, for abandoning his wife at the moment of crisis.

Rachel was amused and unable to stop herself from laughing when she heard the accusations against Hiram. After the theater incident, almost everyone stood up for Hiram, persuading her to make allowances for his difficulties.

However, now when she realized that she had so many people behind her, speaking up for her, she felt glad and thankful.

"What are you laughing at? Are you happy, now that you've finally had your revenge?" joked Hiram, as he looked back at Rachel's smiling face.

Although people were talking about him and calling him down, he didn't care. It was worth it, so long as he could see her smile happily.

"Aha, that's exactly what you deserve, " replied Rachel cheerfully, holding her head up to feel the cool breeze from the water under the bridge.

"People know the truth in their heart. You see your actions and choice have caused public indignation. You're supposed to say sorry to me."

"I know I was wrong, and I have regretted my actions ever since.

But more than anything else, I'm afraid of losing you. If you hadn't come back safely, I don't know what I would have done, " replied Hiram affectionately, embracing Rachel from the back.

Hiram had spent all those days being depressed, but now that he was able to bare his soul to her about the incident, he was finally able to find some solace in his heart. The fact that his reputation was damaged, didn't matter to him at all.

"Thank God that He sent you back to me safe and sound so that I can make it up to you, " continued Hiram with a grateful tone.

Hiram had been beating himself up over this ever since Daniel told him about Rachel's suffering. He hated himself for what Rachel had gone through and for not being at her side when she needed him the most.

"Hiram, I once said that if I had had another chance, I'd rather have never met you in the first place. I don't want to live in pain and in fear of danger anymore, " said Rachel with her eyes closed, trying to get rid of the painful memories.

Holding her tighter, Hiram furrowed his eye-brows and comforted her, "Rachel, I can't live without you. I promise I'll never give you up. Please, believe me."

Rachel sighed, as she stared pensively, at the reflection of the moon and the street lights on the surface of the water.

"Fate brought us together. I want to leave you, but I can't."

Hiram had always managed to keep her by his side. He received her mother, Fannie, with open arms and gave her a place at the Tulip Palace. Since her mother was with him, where else could she go? Her father died when she was only a child, leaving her with her mother. For Rachel, home was where her mother was.

They both stood silently on the bridge, facing the tranquil lake and leaving the noisy crowd behind. The soft lamplight and the spectacular views of beautiful night scenery made the atmosphere even more charming.

"Look, there's a couple over there. They look so beautiful together. I want to take a picture with them. Brother, will you help me?"

This sweet and ringing voice came from a little girl in a red skirt. She was posing on the bridge, and waiting for her brother, a boy about thirteen or fourteen, to take the picture.

Rachel turned around and saw the little girl. Rachel walked towards the little ball of cuteness with a smile and crouched down to take a picture with her.

"You're so pretty, and your boyfriend is very handsome too. He is more handsome than a big star, " said the little girl to Rachel, with an adorable gap-toothed grin.

"You're so sweet." Rachel touched the girl's soft face with her hand while motioning for Hiram to come over.

Hiram walked over and squatted at the other side of the girl. They took a lovely group photo together.

"Big brother, I hope I will have a boyfriend as handsome as you when I grow up." After taking their photos, the little girl turned to Hiram and looked at him adoringly.

Rachel turned to Hiram, trying her best not to burst out laughing. He was attractive to women of all ages, both young and old.

"Okay, I hope that your dream will come true one day. But it's not easy to find a man like me, " jested Hiram, stroking the girl's black hair gently.

Soon, Hiram stood up and took Rachel by the hand. They walked to the tree-lined track to continue their walk. "When will you give me a daughter?" Hiram whispered.

At the Tulip Palace, Fannie received her daughter whom she hadn't seen in two weeks.

"Rachel, don't leave for so long next time. You know I get worried about you, especially when I can't reach you. I haven't been able to sleep properly in the last two weeks, afraid that something bad might have happened to you!"

Fannie held Rachel's hands and complained. Rachel lowered her head in shame. She had been absorbed in her own troubles and her work while disregarding her mother's feelings. Since the kidnapping incident, her mother had been constantly on edge, frantic. Rachel should have spent more time with her.

"I'm really worried about you. Rachel, listen to me, quit your job and stay with me here. Okay? If you're worried about what Hiram might think of that, I can go and talk with him." With that, Fannie stood up immediately.

Rachel pulled her back down and comforted, "Mom, calm down. I'm here now, with you, safe and sound. You can set your mind at ease. I can't just stay at home and do nothing because of the incident. You know me. I'll be bored to death." Rachel insisted to her mother and dragged her arm like a spoiled child.

"At least for my sake, don't work and just stay at home with me, okay?" Fannie persisted.

"Mom, give me more time, please. I've just got back on track at work. I love this job. I don't want to give up, " begged Rachel, leaning towards her mother.

Fannie nodded unwillingly, patting Rachel on the back of her hand gently. "Rachel, you've been married for months, and yet you show no signs of pregnancy. It's time to think about having a baby. Tell me, what's your plan?"

"Mom, we have no intentions of having a baby before the wedding ceremony. What's the rush?" muttered Rachel. She didn't expect her mother to abruptly change the subject to this.

They hadn't been using any contraception those days, and yet Rachel wasn't pregnant. However, it was also important not to rush such matters.

"Rachel, I think you and Hiram should go and get yourselves checked at the hospital. In case there is something wrong, you can get it treated sooner rather than later, " suggested Fannie, gazing at Rachel.

"Mom, Hiram takes periodical medical check every year. He is in good health.

Apart from that one time when he fainted due to stress and lack of sleep, he rarely gets sick, " replied Rachel, helplessly, forcing a smile on her face.

"Well, maybe you're the one with the problem. You need to go and get yourself checked out soon. Please, promise me that you'll go and visit the doctors?" Fannie continued to persuade Rachel.

"Mom, I'm tired. I'm going back to my room now to get some sleep." Rachel didn't want to stretch the topic any further. She stood up and said, "Dear Fannie, I hope you set your heart at rest and have a good sleep tonight."

Fannie smiled back and shook her head. "I will, now go and get some rest.

And one more thing, the Mid-Autumn Festival is fast approaching. I need you to arrange your work schedule accordingly, so that you can accompany me to our hometown."

"I see, " replied Rachel, walking out of her mother's room. It was getting late. She dragged herself upstairs, yawning.

The faint moonlight lit her way up the stairs.

Rachel stretched her arms, exhausted after the long hours of travelling on the bus.

When she opened the door to her bedroom, she caught sight of the man lying on her bed.