Chapter 20: Chapter 20

588 words

<html><head></head><body>Ethan Roscente sat in the restaurant. Candlelight flickered. Across from him was Isabella Langley, smiling brightly. His phone screen lit up. Sebastian Evans sent a photo. It was a picture of Sophia Sullivan's back. She was sitting on a bar stool. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders. Ethan's expression darkened instantly. Isabella cautiously asked, "Is something wrong?" Ethan didn't answer. His fingers tapped on the screen. [Not my business] Sebastian replied quickly. [You really broke up?] Ethan smirked coldly. [Yeah] Sebastian sent a surrender emoji. [So you don't mind if someone asks her out?] Julian Winston suddenly chimed in. [You're going for it?] Sebastian replied with a nodding GIF. Charlie Lowell sent a string of "hahas." Julian typed, "You're something else." No one took it seriously. Ethan typed expressionlessly. [Suit yourself] Sebastian put his phone away. A dark glint flashed in his eyes. ... 9 PM. Outside the Caltech dormitory. Isabella held Ethan's hand. "This was the best birthday ever." She rose on her toes. "Will you miss me?" Her eyes sparkled. There was a hint of a plea in her voice. Ethan ruffled her hair. "Get some rest." Disappointment flickered in Isabella's eyes. She still nodded obediently. "See you tomorrow." The car drove off campus. Raindrops dotted the windshield. A used blanket lay on the back seat. It had a checkered pattern. In a light tan color. Sophia had bought an identical one. She always complained his car was too cold. That blanket had stayed folded on the back seat ever since. No one had used it since. A car horn shattered his memories. The light turned green. He pressed the accelerator hard. The car sped toward the bar district. ... The private room was hazy with smoke and alcohol. Sebastian was drinking alone. He raised an eyebrow when he saw Ethan. "Shouldn't you be with your girlfriend?" Ethan sat down. "I took her back." Sebastian handed him a glass. "Burgundy. Try it." Ethan took a small sip. "Not bad." His gaze swept the room. "Where's Sophia?" Sebastian swirled his glass. "Looking for her specifically?" Ethan's expression was cool. "Just asking." "Left ages ago." Sebastian shrugged. "She doesn't like it here." Ethan's expression relaxed. He stood to leave. "Put it on my tab." Sebastian watched his retreating back. He murmured softly. "Sorry, man." ... Olivia Lopez was completely drunk. Sophia called a ride. It was late by the time she dropped her off. The taxi stopped at the alley entrance. Rain was pouring down. Sophia prepared to dash through the rain. "Sophia—" Alexander Laurent approached with an umbrella. "Planning to get soaked?" He was wearing casual clothes today. It made him seem less serious than usual. Sophia nodded. Alexander shoved the umbrella into her hands. "Use mine." "What about you?" "I'll borrow one." He ran toward the restaurant across the street. He quickly borrowed an umbrella. "Fixed their wiring once." The rain had lightened slightly. He opened his umbrella and stepped into the rain. Sophia followed. The streetlights were dim. Lightning split the sky. The wind howled. She gripped the umbrella handle tightly. She noticed he always kept two or three meters between them. He deliberately slowed his pace. Alexander glanced back. "Keeping up?" "Yeah." Her pants were soaked to the ankles by the time they reached home. After a hot shower, she changed into pajamas. She made a cup of antiviral herbal drink. The medicine tasted bitter. Yet the image of that figure holding the umbrella surfaced in her mind. Tall and straight. Dependable. Reassuring. </body></html>