I chuckled self-deprecatingly.
I thought, "Scarlett, oh Scarlett, I've pampered you too much."
"Don't keep me in suspense, just say it."
"I have a cold and can't go into the bedroom to use the air conditioning."
I had hoped she would say, "I turned off the air conditioning, come in and rest."
But I overestimated her, and I overestimated the bond between us.
"In that case, you'll be sleeping on the sofa tonight," Scarlett said, grabbing a bag of snacks and heading into the bedroom.
A few minutes later, she came running out again.
I thought she would ask if I had taken any medicine.
But I was mistaken.
"Gabriel, tomorrow is your birthday. We had planned to have dinner together, but I have to accompany a very important client tomorrow night. I promise to be back before midnight to celebrate with you."
"Alright, remember, be back before 12, or the fancy clothes and luxurious carriage will disappear, and you'll turn back into Cinderella."
She walked into the bedroom, smiling.
In the past, I would have felt uncomfortable, gotten angry, thrown a tantrum, and begged.
I would say, "Please, don't accompany the client, celebrate my birthday with me, it's only once a year."
But it would not happen anymore.