“If I didn’t watch videos all day at home, you’d be in a lot more trouble now.” Dunn finally spoke, but his words surprised Twain.
“Why?”
“Because the media would not be speculating about you and Gloria, but about whether you and I…” Dunn paused before he looked at Twain and said, “are a couple.”
Twain suddenly jumped away from Dunn. “I’m good… I’m okay.”
Dunn ignored Twain’s exaggerated display. He turned on the television again, but Twain did not stop him this time.
Twain sat on the couch and picked up the phone again. He looked at it and put it down.
With his back towards him, Dunn suddenly said, “I’m not optimistic about the team’s game in Milan.”
“Because I’m upset and distracted?”
“Ah, you know.”
Twain did not speak. He just looked at his cell phone, lost in thought. It was just groundless gossip. His conscience was clear. What was he upset and distracted about?
I shouldn’t be upset about this meaningless matter, because it’s nothing at all. Even though I have a favorable impression of Gloria, it’s just because I have favorable impressions of all beautiful women…
However, Twain thought about his recent conduct. It was as if he had leaped high after being stabbed in the rear. He was really somewhat upset and distracted.
But his emotional outburst had only happened this evening.
It was because Shania had turned off her phone.
“Hey, Dunn.” Twain leaned on the couch and looked up at the ceiling. He said to Dunn next to him, “What did you think after you saw those photos in the newspapers?”
“I was a little surprised.”
“Surprised at what happened between Gloria and me… Is that it?”
“No, I was surprised that you didn’t go out to dinner with the whole crew, but alone with Gloria.”
Twain had told Dunn that he was having dinner with the crew that day. Dunn’s understanding was in line with Twain’s desire. But now it was somewhat ironic to hear Dunn say that.
Twain smiled bitterly, “I just wanted to avoid some unnecessary trouble. I never thought… but trouble still found me in the end.”
“What’s the trouble? Isn’t it nice to be lovers with Gloria?” Dunn asked in return.
Twain froze for a moment, and then shook his head, “No, that’s not it. I admit Gloria is beautiful. But, how do I say it… I don’t have any special feelings for her. Other than the fact that I think she is very beautiful and a nice person, I don’t have other ideas. You know? it’s just like when you see a beautiful girl on the street, you’ll give her a few more looks, perhaps you may want to sleep with her, like a one-night stand. But the word ‘couple’ never comes to mind.”
Dunn was silent for a moment. “I don’t know much about that.”
“Dunn, between a man and a woman… There are some other things in addition to the mutual physical attraction. That kind of thing is very mysterious; I can’t tell you exactly what it is in words. Anyways, there is no such thing between Gloria and me. It’s that simple.”
Twain picked up his cell phone and dialed Shania’s number again. Without exception, it was still “the number you have dialed is not in service.”
This time he did not fling his cell phone but gently put it down.
Dunn suddenly spoke up again. “What about you and Sophia and Shania?”
Twain glanced back at Dunn and found that he had not turned his head to look at him. Instead, he continued to stare at the game videos on the television screen.
He was somewhat discomfited by this question because he did not know what to say.
Just at that moment, his cell phone rang. He heaved a sigh of relief on the inside. He just grabbed his phone without even checking the caller before he answered.
“Hello? Miss Gloria!” Twain sounded pleasantly surprised. When he heard the name, Dunn finally shifted his gaze from the television screen to look at Twain.
Gloria sounded full of apologies on the other end. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Twain. I was busy at work this whole time, so I did not turn on my public cell phone. I only just found out about everything.”
Twain opened his mouth but did not know what to say to her. In the end, he suddenly laughed. “I’m afraid I have nothing more to say about it other than to laugh.”
Gloria also laughed. “But it feels nice to have a “romance” in the media with you. Actually, you’re a very good lover.”
Twain could almost see Gloria standing on the opposite side, playfully winking at him.
He gave a hollow laugh. This woman does not shy away from controversies. She appears as if she was still very happy to play along.
“But please be assured, Mr. Twain, I will make a public statement to clarify our relationship. I also have friends in the British media who will help to speak on our behalf. It’s not going to affect your life. But, Mr. Twain, since you don’t have a girlfriend, I’m sure that it has not caused you any trouble, has it?”
Twain thought that even though he did not have a girlfriend, it had actually caused trouble. He thought of Shania, who had turned off her phone. He did not know the reason behind Shania’s switched-off phone. Perhaps it was due to work, but he still worried about it.
“I don’t know what kind of impact it’s had on my life, but it has caused problems for my team. We just lost to Liverpool in the league tournament. Do you know that?”
“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. But it’s not because of me, is it? I heard you only sent half of your main force.”
As he listened to the two people, Dunn realized that the conversation had no further developments, so he re-focused on the game videos.
Next, Gloria told Twain that she had called to apologize for the trouble the matter had caused him, and also to discuss the shoot in Milan. After all, they still need to cooperate for one more game.
At first, during this sensitive time, Twain should reduce the chances of him appearing and interacting with Gloria in public. But now Twain decided to do the opposite. At a time like this, he should meet with Gloria all the more. Hence, the shoot would be carried out according to the original plan, and not be affected by the incident.
Gloria’s statement might mark the end of the media hype about their relationship. Twain believed that Gloria was capable of that. But his headache was far from over.
After he ended his call with Gloria, Twain dialed Shania’s phone number once again. He still received that message. “The number you have dialed is…”
Twain did not wait for the message to finish before he hung up the phone.
It seemed that the Milan trip was not going to be easy.