Chapter 110 An Old Friend

Chapter 110 An Old Friend
“I’m so sorry.”

The apology left Seraphina’s lips before she had even properly looked up at the person she had bumped into.

Her mind had been occupied with the dull ache twisting through her lower abdomen, her thoughts fixed on finding a pharmacy before the pain became unbearable. She had barely taken a step when the man before her spoke.

“Sera?”

Her stomach clenched. Who knew her around here?

She slowly lifted her gaze.

The handsome man standing in front of her wore a perfectly tailored dark suit, his blonde hair neatly styled, and a pair of small silver studs glinted from both ears. His face had matured since the last time she had seen him, but the sharp jawline and familiar blue eyes remained unmistakable.

“Dylan?”

His mouth curved into a stunned smile. “One and only.”

“Wow. Dylan Wells.”

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then Dylan stepped forward and pulled her into a hug.

Seraphina returned the embrace almost instinctively, still struggling to process the coincidence.

Dylan.

Of all people.

He had been her high school crush, although she had never been the kind of girl who spent every waking moment fantasizing about him. Dylan had simply been the ridiculously handsome football captain everyone noticed whenever he walked into a room.

She had noticed him too.

And once, during a reckless high school party fueled by youthful stupidity and too much alcohol, they had kissed.

Just once.

Neither of them had ever spoken seriously about it afterward, but the memory had remained casually tucked away somewhere in the back of her mind.

Dylan pulled away and looked at her properly.

“You look even more beautiful than I remember.”

Seraphina laughed softly, slightly embarrassed by the compliment.

“Still a flatterer, I see.”

“I’m being honest.”

“I’m sure.”

His smile widened.

“What are you doing here?”

Seraphina glanced toward the government estate behind her.

“I’m here with some friends.”

Dylan looked past her.

“Then introduce me.”

Seraphina hesitated. “They’re busy inside.”

“Oh, so where are you heading to? To join them?”

She gestured vaguely toward the estate.

“I’m actually just trying to get something from a pharmacy nearby.”

Dylan's expression shifted. He glanced around.

“There isn’t one here.”

Seraphina sighed. “That’s unfortunate. I was actually hoping there would be one.”

“I can drive you out.” Dylan offered.

She immediately shook her head.

“No, that won’t be necessary. I can find one myself.”

“It’s fine, Sera.”

“I really don’t want to inconvenience you.”

“You’re not.”

Dylan smiled, his tone light.

“Besides, if your friends are going to be busy for a while, you and I can use the time to catch up. It has been years.”

Seraphina studied him for a moment.

He seemed genuinely pleased to see her, and she could not deny that seeing a familiar face from a much simpler period of her life felt strangely comforting.

Still, she needed to inform Knox.

“Let me call my friend first.”

“Of course.” Dylan beamed his perfect set of teeth.

Seraphina pulled out her phone and dialed Knox.

It rang but he didn’t pick.

She frowned and tried again.

She lowered the phone and glanced at the screen.

The battery indicator flashed red. “Seriously?”

Before she could do anything, the screen went black.

Her phone had died.

Dylan raised his brows.

“Everything okay?”

Seraphina looked toward the estate.

She had no idea when they would be back.

But she had no way to contact him now.

She sighed. “You know what?”

Dylan waited.

“Let’s go.”

His face immediately brightened.

“My pleasure.”

~

The ride out of the estate was surprisingly quiet at first.

Seraphina rested her head against the seat, one hand pressed discreetly against her lower abdomen as the medicine she needed remained the major thing on her mind.

Dylan glanced at her.

“You're still uncomfortable?”

“A little.”

“I hope the pharmacy has what you need.”

“It should.”

He nodded before returning his attention to the road.

After a few minutes, Seraphina finally asked the question that had been lingering in her mind.

“Are you visiting the estate?”

Dylan laughed. “No. I live there.”

Seraphina turned toward him. “You live there?”

“I actually have a house inside the government estate?” He responded.

She stared at him for a moment.

“I didn't even know we lived in the same city.”

“You didn't know a lot of things about me after high school.”

“That’s true.” Seraphina acknowledged.

Dylan smiled.

“I’ve actually known you were in Las Vegas for a while.”

Seraphina's brows furrowed. “How?”

He glanced at her briefly.

“You became quite popular after Julian Thorne proposed to you.”

Her expression tightened a bit.

Dylan noticed immediately. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“I shouldn't have brought him up.”

Seraphina looked out the window. “It’s fine.”

“I know what happened.”

She swallowed. “Everyone does I guess.”

“Maybe, but not everyone knows how you feel.”

That made her look back at him.

Dylan's expression had lost its teasing quality.

“I saw the news. I saw what Julian said at the Civic Square about your father. I can't pretend I didn't.”

Seraphina looked away again. “Can we… not talk about me?”

“Of course.”

“I’m really not in the headspace for it.”

“I understand.”

He gave her a sympathetic glance.

“And I'm sorry you're going through all of that.”

“Thank you.”

He didn't push any further.

That alone made Seraphina appreciate the gesture.

They eventually pulled up outside a pharmacy.

Dylan parked and got out with her.

“I will be back soon,” Seraphina said.

“I’m coming with you, Sera.”

Seraphina stared at him. “You don't have to.”

“I know.” He smiled, a gentlemanly look resting on his face.

“But I'm still coming.”

Seraphina shrugged.

Inside, she quickly picked up the medication she needed and a bottle of water. Dylan insisted on paying before she could reach for her purse.

She let him. She was actually enjoying his company.

“You really didn't have to do that.”

“I know.”

He handed the cashier his card.

When they were done, they walked back toward the car.

Dylan glanced at the medication in her hand.

“My ex-wife used that.”

Seraphina blinked. “Your ex-wife?”

Dylan opened her side of the door for her. “Yes.”

“You were married, and…”

“We divorced.”

Seraphina's expression softened. “I’m sorry.”

“Don't be. It’s been two years.”

He got into the driver's seat.

“We didn't have children, so at least there weren't children caught between us.”

Seraphina nodded quietly.

“So you live alone in the government estate?”

“Pretty much.”

He started the engine.

“I’m a politician. I currently serve as a Deputy Minister for Public Administration, so I was allocated a residence there.”

Seraphina nodded slowly. “That explains it.”

Dylan smiled. “I suppose it does.”

They drove for a few minutes before he spoke again.

“I don't know what your life looks like now.”

Seraphina remained silent.

“But if you ever need company…”

He reached for his phone and held it toward her.

“…you can always reach me.”

Seraphina smiled politely.

“I don't think I should give you my number.”

Dylan lowered the phone.

“But why?”

Seraphina thought about what could be stopping her from giving him his contact. She remembered Julian cutting her off. Her chest tightened. She hated to remember. She was practically single now. 

And even though she had no intentions for Dylan, it still didn’t feel right. “I just don’t think it’s needed.”

His voice softened.

“I don't want to lose contact with you again, Sera.”

Seraphina stared at him.

There was no pressure in his expression, only sincerity.

She hesitated before finally taking his phone.

“Fine.” She entered her number.

Dylan looked at the screen and his lips tilted into a faint smile.

“See? That wasn't so difficult.”

“Don't make me regret it.”

“Never.”

They soon arrived back at the place where Knox had parked.

The moment Seraphina saw him, her stomach dropped. Knox was standing outside. Joanne was beside him.

Both looked restless.

Seraphina's eyes widened. “Shit.”

She immediately opened the door and climbed out.

Knox spotted her. His face changed instantly.

“Miss Sera. Oh my God, where were you?”

Knox's voice carried genuine worry. “I've been worried sick.”

“I—”

Seraphina barely got the word out before Joanne's cold glare landed on her.

The woman's arms were crossed over her chest.

She looked furious. Seraphina stopped.

A car door slammed behind her.

Dylan stepped out and approached them.

“Is everything all right?”

A brief silence settled among them.

Joanne's eyes moved from Dylan to Seraphina.

Then back to Dylan.

Her lips curled into a humorless smile.

Seraphina's brows knitted. “Don’t even start, Joanne.”

Joanne tilted her head, ignoring Seraphina’s warning.

“Barely a few minutes after we get here, and you're already moving around with a man?”

Shit. Exactly what Seraphina was trying to avoid.