Pearl left the hospital and hailed a taxi. She gave the driver Esther's address and, after a half-hour ride, they arrived at their destination.
Pearl paid the fare, stepped out of the cab, and made her way to the entrance. However, a security guard stopped her in her tracks.
"Please showyour ID," he demanded.
"I'm a friend of the resident here. She invitedover," Pearl explained.
"You say you're her friend. Do you have any evidence? If not, please leave now.” The security guard appeared skeptical, unsure if Pearl's claim was
legitimate or if she might be an overzealous fan trying to sneak in.
"| can call her to confirm," Pearl suggested, reaching for her phone.
The security guard, somewhat reluctantly, agreed to this proposal.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
Pearl attempted to call Esther, but there was no answer after three consecutive calls.
"Alright, ma'am, you'll have to leave if you can't provide any evidence," the security guard said impatiently, keen to reshis duties.
As Pearl turned away, she accidentally bumped into someone's chest. She winced and touched her nose.
"Hey, were you not looking where you were going?" she said. If her nose got deformed from the bump, it would be very ugly.
Richard, the person she had collided with, didn't seem to feel any pain. He responded calmly, "Weren't you watching where you were walking?"
Pearl recognized Richard's voice and was annoyed by his presence. "You sawbut chose to walk into me, Mister Richard. You're the one who's
blind here."
Despite her sarcastic remark, Richard maintained his composure and remained unfazed. "Step aside."
Richard's tone was stern, but Pearl suddenly realized that he might be her only ticket to gaining access to the set.
"Mister Richard, can you doa favor?" She stopped him and looked up at him.
"No, | can't," he replied bluntly.
Pearl softened her tone and threw her pride to the wind. She began to plead shamelessly, "I need to get inside, but the security guard won't let me
through. [—"
Richard shot her a cold glance and interrupted her. "It's none of my concern.”
"Do you have to be this cruel, Richard?" Pearl felt deflated by his rejection. Although she had grown thick-skinned enough not to be affected by his
words, his straightforward refusal left her feeling helpless.
She took a deep breath and tried to brainstorm alternative solutions. Perhaps she could climb over a wall, although that seemed dirty and awkward.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmLost in thought, Pearl was surprised when Richard suddenly asked, "Why do you need to go inside?"
"I'm here to visit my friend," Pearl replied promptly.
"Esther?"
"Yeah, Esther.” Stunned, Pearl wondered why he knew.
Suddenly, Richard fell silent. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Go ahead."
Naturally, the security guard allowed Pearl to enter the premises after Richard had said so.
Pearl brightened up and expressed her gratitude. "Thank you, Mister Richard."
She then disregarded Richard, the very person who had helped her, and made her way inside.