章)As Ebert got out of the room, breakfast was ready for him.
He casually put on a T-shirt and a pair of trousers, came up to Stella, and showed her a bank card.
"All my salaries are in it."
Stella took a look at Ebert and took the card.
"Alright, Ill take it. When are you off duty this afternoon? How about we buy you a cellphone then?"
Ebert nodded. "Five oclock. You know where I am."
"Yes, in a building on St. Clare Avenue, isnt it? Ill be passing through it."
After breakfast, Ebert went out to work, and Stella began to work from home. In the meantime she was too sending her resumes to companies.
In fact, while with the demolition compensation, she could live a carefree life without working, she wouldnt resign to such a life.
At 4:30, Stella changed her clothes and went out. At the periphery of the construction site, she recognized Ebert at first glance, despite the fact that he was among a group of builders wearing a helmet.
Curiously, she saw only his back, which was not unlike that of others—covered with mud, and yet it seemed to her Ebert always stood out.
Was it because of his temperament, his aura, or… his good build?
He was tall, heavy, straight, and with firm fleshes, which rendered Stella slightly restless.
"Ebert!" she yelled aloud.
Ebert turned around and looked over to her.
The others too cast their eyes at her, and when they saw the girl in a blue dress standing in the dusty air, they were stunned.
Resplendent and stainless, the girl was such a contrast to the muddy building site. And her figure was slender, her posture graceful.
Some started whistling, and some others were yelling.
Ebert put down the tool in his arms and strode toward her. His footsteps were big, steady, and rather violent, as if to rend the air around him.
Owing perhaps to the scorching sun, Stella slightly colored, and she appeared sort of bashful.
When Ebert neared him, she felt her heart was accelerating.
"You finished your job? Shall we go now?"
"Lets go now."
As Ebert and Stella were walking away, the builders behind them began to heckle.
"What a babe youve got Ebert."
"Your wife is gorgeous, Ebert. I wonder why you are so tired at work today. You must have overworked last night, ha-ha-ha…"
There were even bolder remarks, but Ebert took little heed to any of them. He threw his helmet to the man at the door.
The two walked toward a bus stop board, one following the other. They didnt look like a couple.
While waiting for the bus, Stella took a glance at Ebert. He lit a cigarette and was smoking it. As he was covered with dust, the others who were waiting there too kept distance from him.
Stella reached out her hand, patted on his T-shirt to get rid of the dust.
Ebert turned to her; she replied with a faint smile, and he pulled her into his arms, wrapping her slender waist with his heavy arm. Their endearments caught much attention.
Normally, such endearments were common occurrences even in public, but since the contrast between Stella and Ebert were too sharp, the onlookers couldnt help gasping at it.
Stella was somewhat uneasy at it, but she didnt try to break away from his embrace.
Cuddling Stella, Ebert twisted his face and smoked until it went out, then he threw it into the bin.
The twos intimate acts attracted many pairs of curious eyes until they reached a shopping mall. Stella felt uneasy at them, but Ebert seemed never to notice them.
Stella bought Ebert nearly everything she thought he might need—a cellphone, shoes, clothes, etc.
She didnt buy herself a thing.
After that, they decided to have a meal at a restaurant.
Shortly after they sat down, a man not far from them was surprised to see Stella and walked toward them.
"Stella? Its really you! What a surprise! When were you back? I thought you were in Anston."
"Long time no see, Philip Evans. I was here just recently."
Besuited and handsome, Philip looked rather dignified. The woman together with him was too startled at the name of Stella, and she came to them.
A flicker of jealousy crossed her mind as the woman saw the beautiful Stella, but as she took a glance at the man opposite her, she chuckled.
"Long time no see, Stella," she said, beaming.
Fiona Chick linked her arm through Philips, appearing rather intimate to him, and she said, "Were getting married next month, Stella. Be sure to be there, please. Is this gentleman… your boyfriend?"
Ebert was throughout keeping very calm.
Stella took a look at Ebert, smiled, and replied, "Its my husband, Ebert Carr. Ebert, these two are my high school classmates, Philip Evans and Fiona Chick."
"Husband? You married?" Philip was too shocked to believe it.
Fiona, however, appeared quite composed and happy to hear it. She exclaimed, "What a surprise, Stella. You should have informed us. Tell us about it, come on. Lets sit down and talk."
Stella gave consent to it, and her two classmates sat down and began to pry into Stellas affairs.
When the meal was over, Philip insisted that he pay the bill, and he and Fiona solicitously persisted in giving Stella and Ebert a ride to their home.
Back at home, Stellas Facebook group, which had been silent for a long time, suddenly became animated.
Fiona: I met Stella today. She got married! Her husband worked at a building site. It really surprised me, but I think its real love. Wish them the best.
The message caused a sensation among other classmates in the group.
They were too shocked, and then gave their different responses.
As a matter of fact, Stella was the campus belle of their high school, a renowned Miss Perfect, and the woman of the dreams of numerous male students, and now she married a builder.