Chapter 70
Lila hummed in acknowledgment, "The person who answered your call last night, that was my husband."
Chris nodded, unable to resist probing further, "Really? From his voice and tone, your husband seems to have quite a temper. Does he match the type of guy you described liking? Is he good to you?"
Was Alexander good to her?
This was a question she could answer without even thinking.
No, not at all.
In fact, quite the opposite.
But how could she tell Chris that?
Lila pursed her lips and smiled, "Can't really say good or bad. Life, you know, it is what it is."
Chris acknowledged with a sound.
He glanced at the wine sitting beside him.
Although he'd said he wouldn't drink, he couldn't help but pick it up now and bring it to his lips.
Chris had liked Lila since high school.
It's just that in his freshman year, his parents had told him they'd be sending him abroad to study after senior year.
To avoid getting together only to break up because of going abroad, he never expressed his feelings to Lila. Sometimes when he'd accidentally notice her walking behind him, he'd deliberately slow down to make those beautiful moments last a little longer. Back then, he thought it was all just coincidence.
It wasn't until he contacted his high school roommate before returning to the country that he learned from him that many of their high school classmates knew Lila liked him. Only he, like a fool, had thought all their interactions were coincidences.
Chris couldn't wait to get Lila's contact information from people, finally getting the news through Elara.
Never imagining he'd still missed his chance.
"Chris, didn't you say you were driving? Why are you drinking?" Lila's words pulled him back from his thoughts to reality.
Chris looked at her and smiled, "Don't worry, I won't drink and drive. I'll just call a designated driver later."
Lila nodded.
Alexander had always been perceptive and naturally picked up on the undercurrent between the two.
He made a show of checking his watch, then stood up while giving Lila an order, "It's getting late, and we've finished eating. Miss Grace, take me back to the office."
Lila pressed her lips together and looked at Chris, "I need to head back to the office then. Remember to call that driver."
"Okay, when you're free, bring Elara along and let's all get together."
"Sounds good."
Alexander impatiently urged her, "Are you coming or not?"
As he spoke, he even glared at her.
Lila looked at Chris, "Thanks for treating us to lunch. Next time when I get together with Elara, I'll treat you."
Chris smiled and replied, "Great, you can bring your husband along then."
Lila froze for a moment, then waved at him, "Goodbye."
With that wave, Chris noticed the bracelet on her left wrist and couldn't help saying with a smile, "That bracelet of yours, you've been wearing it all these years?"
"Yeah, got used to wearing it, so I just never took it off."
"You should go now, don't want to delay your boss from getting to work."
Lila nodded and, under Alexander's burning gaze, lifted her feet to leave.
The two walked together toward the restaurant entrance.
Chris watched their retreating figures, leaning back in his chair, his face full of disappointment.
He glanced at the bottle of red wine and poured himself another glass.
After leaving the restaurant, Alexander's steps were extremely fast.
Lila had to jog to barely keep up with him.
When they reached where the car was parked, they both got in, fastened their seatbelts, and the car pulled out.
Throughout the drive, the car was terrifyingly quiet.
The silence carried an oppressive, restrained quality, like the calm before a storm.
No one could predict just how powerful the unknown tempest would be.
Lila's heart was filled with unease.