The hand that had been gently stroking her hair stopped moving.
Morgan Carter’s body tensed up.
Several seconds later, he looked down at Maya Rivers and said softly, “Maya…”
Maya Rivers realized she had lost her composure, but she didn’t let go.
She looked up at Morgan Carter with a smile.
“Can I hug you?”
Morgan Carter’s throat went dry.
Every nerve in his body was on edge as he slowly nodded.
Maya Rivers could feel it.
This silly boy liked her, and she…
she seemed to be slowly falling for him, too.
This was the first time she had ever hugged a man like this.
It felt wonderful, as if she had found a pillar to lean on, even for just a moment, providing a solid sense of security.
She said with a laugh, “Well, what are you spacing out for?
Keep drying.”
Morgan Carter immediately started drying her hair again, a smile slowly forming on his lips.
Maya Rivers buried her face against Morgan Carter’s waist.
“It smells so good.”
Morgan Carter felt his body temperature rising.
He was terrified and wanted to push Maya Rivers away, but he didn’t dare, nor did he want to.
Slowly, his body began to undergo…
an indescribable change!
He was afraid that if she kept hugging him, Maya Rivers would go looking for a pair of scissors.
He had no choice but to speed up, haphazardly drying her hair before saying with a flushed face, “Maya, it’s done!”
Maya Rivers hadn’t had enough of the hug, but she had to let go.
Her gaze inadvertently flickered down and landed on Morgan Carter’s pants.
Her face suddenly burned hot.
‘This damned man, is he really that sensitive?
Just one hug and he gets like this?’
‘No self-control at all.
Useless!’
‘He’s a hot-blooded young man.
If we keep getting this close, something’s bound to happen sooner or later.’
“Morgan, your back injury has healed.
Tonight, you can go back to sleeping on the floor.”
Morgan Carter’s hand, holding the hair dryer, froze.
His face fell, and his voice was full of grievance.
“Maya…”
Maya Rivers didn’t dare look up to meet his eyes.
She pretended to continue writing her copy.
“It’s too hot to sleep together on a hot day like this.
And the bed is so small, I could roll off if I just turn over.”
Morgan Carter was unhappy.
He said in a small voice, “My back isn’t better yet.
It still hurts…”
How could Maya Rivers not see through his little ploy?
“Fine, you can keep sleeping on the bed.”
“Okay, okay!” Morgan Carter’s reply was immediate and cheerful, his voice even rising in pitch.
Then they heard Maya Rivers add slowly, “I’ll sleep on the floor.”
Morgan Carter’s smile vanished, replaced by a sullen look.
“Then I’ll sleep on the floor.”
「The next day, Morgan Carter went to the shop to help.」
Maya Rivers finished writing her ad copy and had Morgan Carter hold her phone to film a short video.
After editing it, she posted it online.
Wouldn’t you know it, in just ten minutes, the video already had over five hundred views, and someone had even left a comment!
“Your skin is so good, beautiful.
Do you really use these products?”
Maya Rivers was ecstatic.
Her fingers trembled as she typed her reply: Of course!
I’ve been using them for years.
But if you don’t cleanse your face properly, no amount of skincare products will work.
Right now, the shop is offering a free facial cleansing experience for new customers.
Ladies, you should come give it a try!
The facial cleansing was indeed free, but any subsequent services would cost money.
The first step was to attract people to the shop.
Even if a customer didn’t spend any money after the free facial, the cost to her was minimal.
You have to give to get.
That was another thing Morgan Carter had taught her.
That morning, two girls actually came in together, saying they wanted to try the free facial cleansing.
Their arrival thrilled Maya Rivers to no end!
This proved that the video was effective.
Morgan Carter had been right!
While washing their faces, she introduced the cleansing products she used, taught the customers some daily skincare tips, and, of course, “casually” mentioned other products.
“Skin needs hydration, especially after cleansing when it can feel dry.
That’s when you really need to pat some toner in.” Maya Rivers poured a little toner into her palm and gently patted it onto the customer’s face.
“Your skin is on the dry side, so you need to pay extra attention to hydration.
Otherwise, even the most expensive makeup will end up looking cakey.”
“Yes, yes, exactly!
I’ve tried so many different foundations, and they all look cakey.
It’s so embarrassing when people stand close to me,” the girl chimed in agreement.
Maya Rivers said, “Well, try this out today and see the effect.
When you put on your makeup later, I guarantee it’ll go on smoothly.
If you think it works well, come back and see me.
Everything is discounted for the next two weeks.”
Unlike her competitors, she didn’t use pushy sales tactics or provide subpar service if a customer chose not to buy anything.
This approach made the customers lower their guard, and their impression of the experience skyrocketed.
Not long after leaving the shop, those two customers left a comment on the video, praising Maya Rivers to the high heavens!
One word from a customer is worth more than a hundred from yourself.
Sure enough, Maya Rivers’s comment section lit up with activity.
She was both excited and worried.
She had already started treating Morgan Carter as her personal strategist.
“Morgan, more than ten people want to come for the free trial now.
If they all show up, I won’t be able to handle my other customers.
What should I do?”
After all, she couldn’t neglect her regulars.
Morgan Carter, who was tidying up a beauty bed, answered without even thinking, “Limit the number of slots.
For example, offer only three free slots per day.
Schedule the rest for the next day.”
“Great idea!” Maya Rivers immediately pinned the new rule to the top of her comment section and apologized individually to the customers who didn’t get a spot.
“At this rate, I won’t be able to handle everything by myself,” Maya Rivers muttered, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Maya, I can actually help you,” Morgan Carter said as he came out from cleaning the back room.
Maya Rivers shook her head.
“No, you’re a man.
It would be inconvenient sometimes.”
Morgan Carter tried to persuade her earnestly.
“I’ve learned how to do everything you do.
You can just handle the parts that are inconvenient for me.”
Maya Rivers had another concern: not every customer would be comfortable being served by someone with an intellectual disability, especially for such an intimate service.
This was completely different in nature from washing cars.
Her tone was firm.
“No.
You focus on washing cars.
I’ll figure something out for the shop.”
Since she wouldn’t let Morgan Carter help full-time, he could only rush over to help her after he finished his own work.
Maya Rivers was much busier than before.
At eight o’clock that evening, when Morgan Carter arrived, he saw her inside giving a customer a facial, while another young woman waited outside for a manicure.
Morgan Carter glanced at Maya Rivers, then quietly asked the young woman, “Hello, have you chosen a design?”
The girl looked up at him, her eyes flicking to the work apron he was wearing.
“I have, but the owner seems pretty busy.”
Morgan Carter hesitated for a moment.
“I know how.
I can do it for you.”
“You?” The girl looked at him in surprise.
“A man who does manicures?
That’s so rare.
But…
I’m not so sure about your skills.”
Morgan Carter held out his hand.
On his pinky finger was a colorful, flowery nail design…
He said, a little embarrassed, “I did it myself.”