Sarah’s heart was even more chaotic than James Brown’s at this moment. After she learned that James Brown’s girlfriend was a college student, she had been hoping to make James Brown fall for her, confident that she could win him over. But then, out of nowhere, James Brown’s ex-girlfriend reappeared, and the two of them shared so many years of emotional foundation, which made her feel that being with James Brown would be fraught with difficulties.
After waiting for a while and still not getting an answer from Sarah, James Brown couldn’t help but become a bit impatient and said, "Sarah, could you at least give me some advice?"
Sarah then snapped back to reality, cleared her throat to cover her embarrassment, quickly organized her thoughts, and said softly, "This is indeed troublesome for you. On one hand, there is the girl you currently like, and on the other, there is your ex-girlfriend. You can’t bear to part with either. Being with one hurts the other; it seems like whatever you do would be wrong."
James Brown slapped his palm and said, "Exactly, that’s how I’m feeling right now."
With James Brown’s response, Sarah’s thoughts cleared up a bit, and she earnestly said, "I think Big Brother Brown’s ex-girlfriend must be very beautiful, and being the Mayor, she must also be a very capable person. Such a woman, whether it comes to work or family, must be very dominant. For Big Brother Brown, she must always be thinking of arranging everything for you, right?"
James Brown looked at Sarah in surprise and said, "What you said is spot on. Do you know her?"
Sarah pursed her lips and smiled, "I don’t know her, but ever since I’ve known you, Big Brother Brown, you’ve always been easy-going, with no pursuit of money or power. You just want to live a very peaceful life. The conflict with your ex-girlfriend is obviously because of this."
James Brown gave Sarah a thumbs up and said, "Sarah, I’m really seeing you in a new light now."
Receiving such praise from James Brown made Sarah even happier, and she said, "But after all, you two have so many years of emotional history. A momentary disagreement can’t completely bury the emotional foundation. As long as there’s a trigger, your feelings for each other will certainly erupt once again."
James Brown grimaced a little. The incident that happened today with Melody Yoody was indeed as Sarah had described.
"And Big Brother Brown is the type of person who dares to act and take responsibility. Years of feelings can be put aside due to time, but now that the old feelings have reignited, you can’t ignore it. You have to take responsibility for her. And now you also have a girlfriend who likes you and whom you like. Naturally, it is difficult for you to choose."
James Brown sighed and said, "You’re right. But you’ve only analyzed the contradictions in my heart and haven’t suggested a solution."
Sarah spread her hands and said, "Big Brother Brown, it’s not that I don’t want to help you, but matters of the heart are so complex that even Frank Browning resurrected couldn’t untangle them cleanly. How could I possibly help you make a choice right now? But I do have an idea."
"Spit it out." James Brown immediately widened his eyes, urging Sarah anxiously.
With a light chuckle, Sarah said, "Big Brother Brown, since you don’t know how to choose, why don’t you just not choose?"
"You’ve got to be kidding me. Are you suggesting I date two people at once?" James Brown’s eyes widened in disbelief at Sarah’s words.
Sarah’s face turned red, and she retorted, "That’s not what I mean at all, but after all, you’re not married yet. It’s quite normal to be dating. Moreover, you can’t really judge right now which one would be suitable to be your wife, who would be the companion for your life. Isn’t it better to get to know both of them first? When you finally understand who you truly love, then it will not be too late to make your decision."
James Brown hesitated for a moment and then said, "But... how can I feel this is unfaithful to my feelings?"
Sarah quickly said, "How can that be unfaithful? I suggest that you be honest with your current girlfriend and also make things clear with your ex. If they both love you, they will give you the chance to choose. Let their love bind your heart. If they choose to leave without a second thought, then it shows she doesn’t truly love you. Everyone has the right to choose their love, and being honest with them already shows your sincerity towards them."
James Brown took out a cigarette, gently tapping the table with it, thought for a moment, and said, "Alright, let’s do that. It seems that’s the only thing I can do."
"Big Brother Brown... I have another suggestion..." Sarah’s face suddenly turned red.
James looked at Sarah quizzically and said, "What suggestion? It’s not going to be awkward, is it?"
Sarah quickly replied, "No, no, it’s that when you’re with your current girlfriend... I suggest that you two... not..."
"Not do that thing?" James Brown asked with a grin.
"Yes..." Sarah’s face grew even redder.
James Brown nodded and said, "Don’t worry, I’m very clear on that. I used to think that I would spend my life with Emma, so I had no reservations. But now, with this situation, I really can’t do that with her anymore. It’s too unfair to her, sigh, it’s already unfair to her now, and I’ve already hurt her."
"Hurting her is hurting, but I think she can understand. If it were me, I would certainly understand."
James looked at Sarah, then nodded. Emma Campbell and Sarah were indeed somewhat similar in character, and Emma was even more empathetic. If Sarah could do it, Emma would be even more capable, but James still felt it was difficult to broach the subject with Emma.
At this time, Sarah said again, "Alright, that’s my opinion. As for how to do it, you still have to think it over, Big Brother Brown. If you need my help for anything, just let me know, I will definitely try my best to help you."
James Brown immediately said: "Alright, Sarah, I really owe you thanks for this."
"Ha ha, no need to thank me, we’re good friends, and I’m happy to do anything Big Brother Brown asks."
"You really are a true friend. I’ll treat you to a meal sometime."
Sarah immediately winked mischievously and said, "You said it, you have to keep your promise."
"Definitely, but I’m not sure if I’m free tonight. When I am, I’ll give you a call. By the way, did you come to see me for anything else?"
"Just some work-related stuff." Sarah quickly went through some trivial work matters which would normally just require a bit of communication with the subordinates. But this was also an excuse for Sarah to come and see James Brown, so she naturally wanted to handle it personally.
After finishing the discussion about work, Sarah took her leave. Though James Brown still felt tangled inside, he felt much better. He managed to do some work until it was time to go home, and he went straight back.
As soon as he got home, James Brown received a text message from Melody Yoody, which made him feel guilty before he even opened it.
"James Brown, you asshole, after sleeping with me, you don’t even stick around. Are you planning to walk away as if nothing happened once your pants are up?"
James Brown felt awkward about this. After such an incident, Melody Yoody became even more fierce. He quickly replied: "Mr. Lopez woke up early and wanted me to accompany her back to the company, so I left first."
"Humph, let me tell you, don’t think that I can’t marry anyone but you, and don’t think that after you’ve had me, I’ll pester you. I, Melody Yoody, am not that kind of woman. Listen up, if we can’t have a proper relationship, I can’t believe that I can’t make you willingly come back to me."
James Brown felt relieved seeing Melody Yoody’s text, preferring her strong attitude. He smiled and replied, "No problem, but if you ever disappoint me, don’t blame me if I don’t choose you."
"You bastard, you’re really full of it. Fine, I, Melody Yoody, will swallow this loss for now. But wait till we get married—I’m not going to let you kneel by the keyboard every day."
"Deal, if we can get married, I’d even wash your feet every day."
"You said it. If you back out later, humph."
James Brown could imagine Melody Yoody’s brusquely adorable figure, and his mood greatly improved. Her way of talking was to make sure James Brown wouldn’t feel guilty about what happened today. She was a proud girl who would not let such an event demand anything from James Brown. That was Melody Yoody’s personality, and James Brown realized he had neglected that throughout the years they hadn’t been together.
The two of them chatted via text for a while until Melody Yoody said she had something to do and stopped. Not long after, Emma Campbell’s call came in.
Seeing the call, James Brown’s good mood soured again. He now understood that the person he really felt guilty towards was Emma Campbell, this gentle girl whom he had always carefully protected, fearing she would get hurt. But now, he had still hurt her.
Deeply inhaling, James Brown decided not to discuss this matter over the phone but to wait until the weekend when Emma Campbell came over to have a proper conversation face-to-face. If she felt sad then, he could comfort her properly. But talking about it now, if Emma Campbell misunderstood and something happened, James Brown couldn’t immediately take care of her.
In a soft voice, Emma Campbell talked with James Brown, caring about the food he ate these past few days, the clothes he wore, reminding him to look after things at home—all trivial household matters that sounded a little naggy, but James Brown knew that Emma Campbell was the type to put him above everything else, and she cared about every detail of his life, even the smallest things.
James Brown felt guilty, but backed by the advice Sarah gave him, he still found some sense in it. If he couldn’t decide what to do now, why force a decision? It might be better to wait a bit longer before deciding. That would be fair to him, Emma Campbell, and Melody Yoody.
If he had decided to be with Emma Campbell and then flirted with Melody Yoody, he would definitely be in the wrong. However, Melody Yoody was his first love, and their feelings developed before he met Emma Campbell. So if there was a mistake, it was that James Brown should not have established a relationship with Emma Campbell so soon after breaking up with Melody Yoody—that way, he wouldn’t be in this predicament.
After chatting with Emma Campbell for over ten minutes, James Brown said, "Emma, will you come to my place this weekend?"
Emma Campbell immediately responded, "I’ll go... If Big Brother Brown... I can also go now."
James Brown’s heart swayed; this girl really loved him deeply. Whatever he requested, she would not object. But asking Emma Campbell to come over now made James Brown feel even more uncomfortable inside. He quickly laughed and said, "Let’s not today, you have to go to school early tomorrow. Let’s wait for the weekend."
Emma Campbell hummed in agreement, "Then I’ll go over the weekend. If Big Brother Brown has nothing else, I’ll hang up now."
Before the call ended, Emma Campbell actually blew James Brown a kiss through the phone. This shy girl could do such a thing; such boldness could only come from deep love.