Chapter 21 Never Looking Back
At that moment, Lily was sitting in the car with Dennis.
As she looked at the surrounding traffic, she couldn't help but feel worried. "Michael's definitely gonna send people to look for me, and he'll cause trouble for you at school."
After all, this was the Roberts family's territory.
This was why she had been enduring everything, waiting to leave after the SATs.
Lily felt guilty for dragging Dennis into her problems.
Dennis gave her a reassuring pat on the head. "Don't worry, they won't find you. Right now, you need to think about where you're gonna stay."
Lily sighed. "Let's rent a place."
She had always had this idea, but never had the chance to act on it.
She almost wished Michael had kicked her out earlier so she wouldn't have to worry about so many things.
"I know a place we can rent."
Lily didn't ask much and followed him to the neighborhood.
The environment was great.
When she walked into the apartment, she couldn't help but comment on the interior. "This place must be expensive, right? I'm pretty broke right now!"
"Don't worry. This is my friend's place, and he's not living here. You can stay here and help him look after it. If anything, he should be paying you."
Dennis stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room, looking tall and relaxed.
Lily couldn't help but laugh. "Dr. Gonzalez, is this your place?"
"No, mine is next door."
Lily was surprised. "What a coincidence!"
He casually smiled. "Otherwise, I wouldn't feel comfortable with you staying somewhere else, since I'm the one who brought you out."
Lily's face warmed up. She didn't expect someone usually so reserved to make a joke like this.
Dennis realized his comment was inappropriate and changed the subject. "You can stay here for now. Don't worry about anything else."
Lily nodded. "Okay, but I still need to pay rent. I can sleep on the couch, so I won't mess up your friend's room or touch his stuff."
Dennis frowned. "You don't need to sleep on the couch. He hasn't lived here, and he's got more money than sense. Don't worry."
Lily smiled. "You must be good friends."
Only close friends would say something like that.
Dennis glanced at the time. "Wanna play some games?"
"Sure."
Lily followed him to the apartment next door, which had the same layout.
Dennis didn't seem to have much stuff, and the place looked quite empty.
Except for the study, which had two high-end computers.
When Lily opened the game, she saw the homepage featuring her recent match, showcasing her twelve-hit combo. The title read: [King's Disciple Returns.]
She felt a bit uneasy.
After all, in her past life, she hadn't mastered the twelve-hit combo during the revival matches.
And she had never met King.
Dennis glanced at her. "You pulled off a twelve-hit combo in the game. When did you learn it?"
Lily panicked a little.
How was she supposed to explain?
Should she tell him she learned it in her past life?
King's twelve-hit combo was notoriously difficult to master. Many people had practiced it repeatedly from videos without success.
Lily licked her lips. "Actually, I'm a big fan of King. I've liked him since I was a kid and secretly practiced his signature move. I never succeeded before, but during the match, it somehow worked."
Dennis's expression was complicated. "You've liked him since you were a kid?"
"Yeah, I've always admired him, so I'm familiar with his moves."
Lily felt uncertain, but this was the best explanation she could give.
She really did admire King, so it wasn't a lie.
She sneaked a glance at Dennis, whose expression was a bit unnatural.
He responded stiffly, "Don't just randomly like anyone."
Lily was surprised. "That's different."
After all, it was King.
Anyone who played this game admired him!
Dennis's gaze softened as he watched the video of the girl executing the twelve-hit combo.
After all these years, she was the only one who had managed to do it.
They teamed up in the game, working seamlessly to clear levels.
Dennis paused and asked, "Have you ever played as a warrior?"
"No, I've mostly played as a gunner."
"You might want to switch to the warrior class. It might suit you better."
Lily's eyes widened at his words.
In her past life, someone had said the same thing, suggesting she play as a warrior.
But back then, she only wanted to play as a gunner, since Austin's team needed a gunner.
For a moment, Lily felt excited.
Could Dennis be the person she met in her past life?
Not being able to meet him and thank him personally was her biggest regret.
Dennis asked, "Why are you staring at me?"
"Nothing. Dr. Gonzalez, do you have someone you like?"
"No. Why do you ask? Do you have someone you like?"
Dennis narrowed his eyes, ready to prevent any early romance.
Lily looked at the computer screen. "Sort of."
Her online crush from her past life.
It would be great if she could meet him in this life.
She remembered the time and place she met him in her past life. Maybe she had to wait until then to meet him.
Dennis's voice was a bit muffled. "Lily, your priority right now should be studying, not dating."
"I know. I'll wait until after the SATs."
In her past life, she met that person after the SATs.
Dennis felt annoyed.
Early romance for girls was the most troublesome.
He turned off the computer. "After dinner, you need to study and cut down on gaming."
With more homework, she wouldn't have time to think about anything else.
After studying for two hours that night, Lily was exhausted.
As she prepared to wash up and sleep, she realized she hadn't brought any clothes or toiletries.
Lily hesitated, then decided to go out and buy some essentials.
As she stepped out, Dennis opened the door, looking down at her. "Where are you going this late?"
Lily felt like she was caught by a parent.
She quickly replied, "I need to buy some toiletries and pajamas."
Dennis's expression momentarily froze. He turned and closed the door. "Let's go."
He had no experience taking care of someone and hadn't thought of this.
It was late, and most stores were closed.
Lily ended up buying only toiletries, not finding pajamas or slippers.
Dennis's expression was blank, and he seemed a bit annoyed.
Back at the apartment, he immediately called Eric. "What's up with the apartment? Why is there nothing in it?"
"Dennis, you called me and wanted the apartment ready in half an hour. How could I have time to arrange everything? Besides, you can take her shopping for essentials, which will help you bond."
Dennis was used to being taken care of.
He never thought about these details.
Eric asked suspiciously, "Did you forget and go out shopping late at night?"
Dennis gritted his teeth. "You can shut up now."
He hung up and awkwardly looked at the closet.
Dennis grabbed a pair of his slippers and a clean shirt.
He walked to the next door and knocked.
After a while, a soft voice came from inside. "Coming."
Lily opened the door, her hair still wet, dripping onto her clothes.
Dennis's gaze shifted, and he walked straight in.
Lily instinctively stepped back, tripping over her own feet and falling toward the ground.
Oh no, how embarrassing!
That was all she could think of.
But she fell into a warm chest, hearing his heartbeat in her ear.