288: First paycheck

First paycheck

After dropping Assistant Lyn at the bus station, Heaven was supposed to head straight to the set. However, on her way, she received a message that the filming was canceled today. They didn't tell her the reason, but she was certain it was because of Paula's current dating issue.  0

To be fair, Heaven wasn't sure about that as well. Paula's dating issue seemed to be too shallow to cancel today's filming, but well, what would Heaven know? Things happened and Director Guan had been having second doubts about Paula. That had nothing to do with her, anyway. 

Whether the film would cancel or they would kick out Paula, Heaven didn't care. This project would probably be her last project; something she wanted to do for the original Heaven. Moreover, since the current Heaven had nothing else to do, she wanted to try acting at least once. She didn't know what career she wanted in this life, after all. 

Well, if being a stay-at-home parent could count as a career, then she would probably become one. 

"Bear, let's drop by the city mall first. I want to buy something for Basti and Dom," she said while staring out the window. 

Bear didn't say anything as he glanced at her through the rear mirror. A subtle smile turned up on his face, seeing that his boss seemed to be in a good mood.

Her plans were working smoothly, so it was given.

Silence reigned throughout the journey, but it didn't bring any tinge of awkwardness. If anything, the silence brought peace to both Heaven and Bear. They also didn't show any sign of fear or worry about the situation they created for Primo. Not that this was the first time she messed with someone crazy.

Soon, Bear and Heaven reached the City Mall. Heaven would normally go in and leave him, knowing he would eventually find her inside the mall. But this time, she waited for him. Bear followed Heaven go around the mall and obviously, she first went to a bunch of food boutiques. 

"Look at this, Bear." Heaven bent over slightly, licking her lips at the donuts on display. "Do you think Basti and Dom will like this?"

Bear stood a few steps from her, glancing at the donuts on display. "Boss, you already bought a lot." He raised the paper bags in his hands, reminding her she had bought at least something from all the stalls they went to. 

"What's the occasion?" he asked, out of plain curiosity. "Why are you buying so much food?"

Heaven smiled as she looked back at him. "I got my first paycheck. Hehe," she giggled.

His brows rose, staring at the slight blush on her cheeks. Heaven seemed really happy, and her excitement was something he had never seen before. 

"I've always used my husband's card and splurged his money," she explained as she set her attention back on the display. "I didn't mind back then, since money is meant to be spent. But after getting my paycheck today, I felt strange."

The corner of her mouth stretched from ear to ear until her teeth were on full display. "It's my first time earning through legal means, Bear." Her cheek turned even more pinkish, feeling a little proud of her small achievement. 

Hera's net worth could make her on the list of the richest people in the world. Even if she didn't work, her parent's wealth was enough to make her live a very comfortable life. However, Bear and Hera knew that all that money came from illegal means. It was dirty money. 

"I'll take this one, this one, this one, and that one, please." Heaven giddily ordered while pointing to the dessert that caught her eye. "One dozen each, please."

As she did so, Bear watched her splurge her money with affectionate eyes. The subtle smile on his face didn't leave his face. He was not even worried about the fact she was buying too much and might spend all her money in a day. This was her first time holding clean money by doing real and legal work. 

'Who would have thought?' he told himself, sighing in relief. 'Until now, I can't believe Heaven is Hera. But I'm glad that she got to experience these little things in life.'

"Thank you!" Heaven happily took the boxes of donuts before facing Bear with a wide grin. "Now, I'm broke. Hehe."

"Huh?" Bear cocked his head to the side. He glanced at the paper bags in his hands and then back at her. "Boss, how much did they pay you?"

"About a thousand grand?"

"A thousand?" he blinked, baffled. "Are you sure?"

"Huh??" Heaven blinked countless times, frowning. "Bear, I know a thousand grand seems low, but do you think earning clean money is that easy?"

"Uh…" Bear bit his tongue to stop himself from saying what was in his mind but ended up saying it, anyway. "I thought celebrities get paid well. I'm getting paid ten times more than you and yet I'm not a celebrity. Also, I don't think all of this is worth a thousand grand. I think you were duped."

"..." Heaven didn't speak for a moment. All she could do was stare at him with a plain countenance. "Is… a thousand really that low for being a celebrity?"

Bear was rendered speechless for a moment at her genuine question. "Bless your heart."

"Bear!" Heaven frowned. "Was I duped, really?"

"Boss." Bear looked at her apologetically. "Do you want me to lend you money?"

Her frown grew uglier. "Bear, have you considered how pitiful I appear that my bodyguard is offering his boss some financial help?"

"Uh..."

"Nevermind." She huffed, raising the paper bags to him.  "I only spend two hundred in all of that. I still have eight hundred, so I might treat Basti and Dominic to dinner." 

"This… isn't dinner yet?" he asked while taking the new paper bags from her. 

Heaven pressed her lips into a thin line as she glanced at the food she bought. "Should I buy them something else?"

What could she buy with a mere eight hundred when all of her husband's tie cost around that much each?

Watching her, Bear couldn't help but feel sorry for her. His boss might be wise and untouchable in the underground, but who would have thought? That she was clueless about how much she should be earning? He couldn't blame her, though. This was her first proper and legal job. 

"Ah!" Heaven smiled as an idea crossed her mind. "I think I know what to get them."

Just as Heaven announced happily, she felt her phone vibrate from her back pocket. She took it out, thinking it was Dominic. However, her brows furrowed upon seeing a message from an unknown number. 

[Unknown Number

How are you, Miss Liu? You might be surprised that I got your number, but that doesn't matter, I believe. Are you available tonight? There's something I want to talk to you about. Something that might interest you, considering I have a tool that I want to dispose of, but you might find value in this useless tool.

If you're interested, I'll be in the Emerald Hotel at around 6. I hope to see you. However, if you don't come, I'd take that as you're not interested.

Primo]

Heaven's brows slowly rose as the innocent grin on her face faded, replaced with nothing but coldness. Bear witnessed how her mood gradually changed, knowing something was up. 

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