Chapter 13 He Went on a Business Trip
Elodie's POV
I stood not far away, quietly watching him.
Watching the light unconsciously flowing from his eyes when he talked about hockey, gradually overlapping with the boy in my memory who gave his all for his dreams on the ice rink.
It's him, it must be him.
Besides Lorenzo, no one else would talk about hockey in that tone.
He remembered everything about hockey, but forgot me alone, or rather, didn't want to remember me anymore.
My heart felt like it was being soaked in ice water, sinking bit by bit, piercingly cold.
What exactly was I expecting?
Don't be silly, Elodie.
I don't know how long I stood there. It wasn't until he finished his conversation with the middle-aged man that I snapped out of it and decided to leave. Since he didn't want to acknowledge me, what was the point of me standing here watching him so pathetically?
"Elodie." His deep voice suddenly came from behind me.
My steps halted, my body instantly freezing.
He noticed me.
I slowly turned around, meeting his deep blue eyes.
He had already walked up to me, his tall figure completely enveloping me.
"What's wrong?" He frowned slightly. "You look terrible. Is it because I didn't show up for our meeting?"
I stared straight at him.
Nelson, what reason could you possibly have for not admitting your identity?
Looking at him, the bitterness in my heart almost burst through my throat. I couldn't help but mock myself for throwing myself at someone who didn't care.
"Nothing." I lowered my head, avoiding his probing gaze, my voice muffled. "I'm just a bit tired."
Nelson was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke, "Sorry, something came up at the last minute."
I didn't even bother thinking about what could have been so important that he could watch the entire game but didn't have time to come over and say hello.
I stuffed down my rage and smiled - though it came out looking more like I was in physical pain. "It's okay, your work is important."
Nelson looked at me. He raised his hand, and I thought he wanted to touch my cheek, but he paused mid-air.
He took out an exquisite deep blue velvet box from his pocket and held it out to me.
"This is to make up for it." His voice was low.
I opened the box, and brilliant light instantly dazzled my eyes.
It was an exquisite sapphire bracelet, reflecting a deep blue luster under the light.
Clearly very expensive.
I closed the box and pushed it back. "I don't want it."
His brow furrowed. "Why?"
"Mr. Nelson," I raised my head, meeting his complicated gaze, and said word by word, "we're not boyfriend and girlfriend. You won't even admit your real identity. What reason do I have to accept such an expensive gift from you?"
"Do you need a good reason to give someone a gift?" He looked at me, then added, "If so, then consider it my apology gift to you."
Apology?
Something clicked, and I jumped on it. "If you're really sorry, then move back to the apartment. It's your place - what's it look like with me living there by myself while you're somewhere else?"
After saying this, I didn't give him any chance to respond and turned to leave.
This time, he didn't call out to stop me.
Walking out of the hockey arena, the evening breeze blew against my face with a chill, but it couldn't dispel the frustration in my heart.
Rod was already waiting at the school gate. Seeing me come out alone, he froze for a moment, then opened the car door.
I got in the car without a word, hugging my arms, sulking while watching the rapidly retreating street scenes outside the window.
Rod seemed to sense my low mood and glanced at me carefully through the rearview mirror. "Miss Elodie, the boss really did have something very important."
Nelson, that coward who won't admit his identity.
I didn't speak, but sneered inwardly.
Back at the apartment, I lay down on the bed without even changing clothes, but bumped into something hard.
Puzzled, I sat up and found a deep blue velvet box that had appeared beside my pillow at some point - the same one I had refused at the hockey arena.
Next to the box lay a card and a completely black bank card.
I picked up the card, my heartbeat skipping a beat.
The handwriting on it was familiar to my bones.
Sharp strokes with a hint of carefree boldness, every turn exactly like the notes the boy in my memory had highlighted for me.
There was only a short line: [I'm sorry. —L]
Looking at the familiar handwriting, I bit my lip hard to keep from crying out, but my chest felt like it had been torn open, filled with a gale of grievance and confusion.
It really is him.
He remembers me, he remembers everything.
But why won't he admit it?
Lorenzo, what unspeakable secret are you hiding?
I clutched the card and the cold bank card tightly in my palm, letting the sharp edges dig painfully into my skin.
In the darkness, the sourness and unwillingness in my heart almost swallowed me whole.
That night, I held the velvet box, sleepless until dawn.
For the next several days, Nelson disappeared like he'd evaporated from the world.
The huge apartment returned to deathly silence. The scent of cedar faded day by day in the air, and my heart sank bit by bit along with it.
I couldn't help asking Rod, "Where did he... go? Is he on a business trip?"
Rod's smile was a bit stiff. He avoided my gaze and spoke vaguely, "The boss has important matters to handle."
"What matters?" I pressed.
"Miss Elodie," Rod's tone became serious, "the boss... will be back soon."
His refusal to say more made the unease in my heart grow heavier.
I was worried sick but helpless, so I could only throw myself into my part-time job at the coffee shop, trying to numb myself with busyness.
That evening, I had just changed into my work uniform when the manager handed me a long order slip. "Elodie, the customer in private room three specifically asked for you to deliver it."
I took the slip, puzzled. Who would ask for me by name? Could it be that idiot Samantha again?
Looking at the dozen or so drinks and various desserts listed, my heart sank.
Delivering so many things at once - this was clearly meant to make things difficult for me.
I carried the huge tray, carefully walking toward private room three. The moment I pushed open the door, all my suspicions were confirmed.
In the dim light, Alex was lounging lazily on the sofa. Samantha sat beside him with perfect makeup, surrounded by several of their followers.
As soon as they saw me, their faces immediately showed malicious smiles.
"Well, well, if it isn't Elodie from Columbia University. What's the matter, didn't Mr. Nelson give you an allowance? You still have to come out and serve tables?" A guy spoke sarcastically, drawing a round of laughter.
I remained expressionless, placing the items from the tray on the table one by one.
Their gazes were like sticky flies, brazenly sizing me up, making my stomach churn.
Just as I was placing the last cup of coffee, Samantha suddenly acted as if she hadn't sat properly, let out an exaggerated scream, and lunged toward me.