Never
99

Chapter 99

Luke returned to Osmo a week later and brought Linda a gift.

“I’m starting to suspect you went on a trip for fun rather than work,” Linda said while opening the gift box. in front of Luke to reveal a ceramic ornament.

“That’s just the nature of my job. You can call me a loafer if you want,” Luke replied seriously.

Linda knew enough about his work to doubt his words. “You still haven’t told me how you know about my family’s situation,”

Linda was always straightforward. She preferred to address matters directly.

Luke leaned back in his chair. “I’ll tell you, but can I eat first? I just got off a 15–hour flight, and the in–flight meal was terrible. I only managed a few bites.”

Linda sighed. “Fine. I’ll take you to eat first.”

She then headed to a private restaurant owned by Samson’s family.

“You sure know how to pick places, Luke teased upon seeing the name.

Linda played along. “Of course! I’m a rich heiress, after all.”

*Indeed, I should dine out with you more often. Who knows? I might get to eat lavishly,” Luke joked..

Linda led him to a private room. “As long as you don’t mind how much I eat, I’m fine with that.”

“To eat well is a blessing,” Luke remarked.

“But eating too much can make you fat,” Linda said as she handed him the menu pad. “Nowadays, girls care a lot about their figure.”

“I still think beauty is subjective,” Luke commented. “Beauty is a way to please oneself. If it’s based on others‘ standards, what’s the point? Everyone’s idea of beauty is different. Living by others‘ standards can be exhausting.”

Luke handed the pad back to her and continued, “Life is short enough as it is. Living for oneself is hard enough. Why complicate it with unnecessary worries? Isn’t that tiring?”

His philosophical question left Linda momentarily speechless.

“Do you really mean what you say?” she asked, surprised by his sensible thinking. He seemed genuinely different from other men.

“Why would I lie to you?” Luke said while sipping his coffee.

“Few men think like you,” Linda noted.

So far, she knew only him and Samson.

Samson was respectful toward women and didn’t exhibit typical male chauvinism. Such normalcy was

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rare in Linda’s experience. She hadn’t expected to replace another like–minded person.

“I’ve encountered many different people, and I always believe beauty is subjective. It’s impossible to define it objectively.

“I don’t support women losing weight to fit others‘ ideals of beauty if it compromises their health. Nor do I support cosmetic alterations for the sake of beauty. Our bodies are gifts from our parents. There’s no need to change them.”

Linda remarked, “I think I understand why you went to Idaly to teach.”

Luke made a listening gesture. “Enlighten me.”

“Your views would be unacceptable in our education system. Parents would complain endlessly if you taught them such ideas.”