Chapter 287 - I Like What I'm Seeing

[This chapter is dedicated to Kalachuchi1. The current top 3 fan of our story. Thank you!] 

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She scanned the elegant room as she stood next to Gareth. They just arrived at the venue and she wanted to go home. Gareth, just like the time he got the invitation to this event won't stop gushing how this event was such a great opportunity for them. 

She nodded and smiled at him but at the back of her mind she was counting the minutes on how long it would take Noah to reply to her last message. Since she left her room, she and Noah didn't stop chatting. He was like a boy who was too excited after being promised a trip to Disneyland. 

Yes, she was interested to get a sponsor to her research in the future but she knew that she wasn't as desperate as Gareth. She chose to intern at ANAT because she believed that she can get the support from the company in regards to her studies. And she's right because Luke's studies were already approved. It's not her own research, but just like what Dr. Sison said, learn as much as she can. In the future, when it is her time, she's ready. 

It's not like she wasn't confident with her own study but she knew that she needed more research. Besides, if worse comes to worse, she won't get a sponsor from people she would in this kind of event. She will just ask Ellise and her aunt to finance her research. She chuckled inwardly to herself. 

However, not all people are lucky to have some rich friends. There are people like Gareth who had to kiss ass to get a sponsor to finance their studies. Thus, she tried to be polite with Gareth as she listened to his plan and ideas. She gave some comments every now and then. 

Although, she still didn't trust Gareth, she knew that he's a good scientist. And he has a lot of studies that would be helpful for humankind. That's why she listened to his rambling even though she personally doesn't like him. 

"I saw someone I know. You'll be fine on your own, right?" 

Jess glanced at Gareth, wearing five inches heels, she's a foot taller than Gareth. She doesn't have to look up at him at all. "Yes, I'll be fine." She gave him an encouraging smile. When he walked away, she opened her phone and snapped a photo of the place and sent it to Noah as she read his reply. She was still typing her reply to his last message but he already replied to the photo she sent. 

["You aren't going to sleep? Why are you chatting too fast?]

[I'm joining you at your party. I'm on break.]

[Did you take home work again?] Her brows were knitted. She knows that Noah is a workaholic but Lucille is with him. He should try not  to bring too much work home. She was busy typing on her phone when she hit someone. 

She put down her phone and looked up at an old man, wearing a suspender over a white dress shirt. He has a black pair of pants, and she couldn't help but smile with his outfit. He's already as old as her grandfather. He has a hair full of white hair but his eyes were clear and bright. His eyes are blue and twinkling with mischief. He looks somewhat familiar but she cannot place his face on where she met him. 

"Sorry, I wasn't looking," she clasped her hands in front of her abdomen and sincerely apologized.

"Women in this generation have no way of knowing how to carry themselves with grace in this kind of event." He frankly gave Jess his unsolicited opinion. 

Hearing what he said, Jess eyebrows shot up with disdain. She hates this kind of person. "I had already apologized. Generalizing women is such a cheap take on grace and politeness." 

The old man squinted his eyes at her and observed her face that she was trying to keep neutral, despite her irritation. 

"I like you." 

She smiled politely at him. "I don't." 

The man went quiet for a few beats and roared in laughter the next. Jess smirked. This man is an eccentric old one. 

"What's your name, young lady?" 

"Jessica." She was still pissed off at the old man that she didn't bother to introduce herself properly. As he already had an opinion concerning her, she thought why bother. 

"Care to avoid the crowd and get some decent drinks? You can call me Alfred." 

Jess did a quick sweep of the crowd and noticed that most of the guests were all into small groups as they moved around. They probably have the same idea with Gareth and those who don't need to make a connection of possible sponsors, stay in one place, deep in conversation. 

Her gaze came back to Alfred and she wondered why he wasn't in any of those crowds. 

"I don't need to stroke my ego." He grinned as if reading what was on her mind. 

Her lips curled up in a smile. "Let's go get some drinks, then." She agreed when she saw Gareth move from one group to the next. It seemed like he had found the connection he wanted. 

"A friend of yours?" Alfred asked, following her line of sight.

Jess took her eyes off from observing Gareth and looked at Alfred. "Let's go get that drink," she grinned. 

"Attagirl. You know your priorities." 

"Nah! Just wanted the drinks." 

"You can get your own drink. Why accompany an old man like me?" He asked offering his arm for Jess who gingerly took his arm and let him lead her to wherever he thought away from the crowd. 

They didn't go far. They just climbed to an elevator floor where they had a better view of everyone. "I can get my own drink but where's the fun in that. It's a party after all." 

"Drinks in this kind of event were like piss water," he clicked his tongue and waved to a waiter. "Get us a decent drink, young man." 

The waiter bowed down properly and left. 

"What do you do, Jessica? What are you doing here" 

"I'm an intern at ANAT Pharma and Co. I was here with my co-worker on behalf of our boss - Dr. Sison." 

"I know Dr. Sison. She's a tight ass bitch. I'm amazed she was still working." 

"You have an extensive vocabulary," she clicked her tongue, sarcastically. "What are you doing here, by the way?" She asked, accepting the glass of whiskey. She was surprised that she was served the same drink as the old man. 

"I'm observing. And to be honest, I like what I'm seeing.." He stared at Jessica with a small knowing smile on his lips.