Chapter 330: Heartache
“Mhm.” Gabriel’s voice remained cold as ever from the other line.
“Gabriel, would you like to go to the concert with me tonight?” Alison asked hopefully.
“No, I have plans,” he replied curtly.
“I have something important to ask you,” she insisted.
“Aren’t we going swimming tomorrow? I’ll ask you then,” he said.
“All right, see you tomorrow then.” She gave in.
Hanging up, she felt a pang of disappointment.
Just as she tucked her phone into her bag, Aidan emerged from the president’s office.
“Aidan, tonight I’m going to be the third wheel for you and Lucia,” she said with a faint smile.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“Gabriel has something come up and can’t make it. Can I join you and Lucia?” she replied.
“Oh, what a coincidence! Lucia can’t make it either. She’s hosting a show tonight.”
As they chatted, they walked out of the office.
After grabbing dinner together, they headed to the largest musical theatre in S City.
After parking, they found the entrance bustling with crowds.
“I heard Rock is one of the three sons from the Winston family.”
“Yeah, I heard he’s been living abroad and only recently moved back to S City.”
“Will he really settle here?”
“Of course. Winston’s grandfather had a villa built just for him in S City.”
“Hm, I also heard that. He might already be engaged.”
“Her last name is Bruce, right? But I don’t think she’s good enough for Rock. He’s so handsome! I wish I could get his autograph tonight.”
“Don’t get your hopes up. Our seats are way in the back.”
“Don’t be like that. Haha! If I could just catch a glimpse of Rock up close tonight, my life would be complete.”
“Of course! I think he’s even more handsome than his two younger brothers.”
“Nope, I think the CEO from YD is hotter.”
“You two are both wrong. I think Jack is the hottest. Unfortunately…”
…
Alison and Aidan listened quietly as the three girls ahead of them chatted.
When they mentioned Jack, Alison felt a twinge of pain in her heart.
They followed the crowd into the musical theatre.
Yet, despite the crowd, the venue remained surprisingly quiet.
Onstage, a white piano stood surrounded by a wave-like arrangement that lent the entire stage an air of refined nobility.
They found their seats in the centre of the fifth row, which offered a clear view of the stage.
“Alison, do you want some popcorn?” Aidan asked, noticing the girls around them were holding snacks.
“No, thanks. I don’t like snacks,” she replied gently.
“Then what about water? Or orange juice?” he added.
“Okay,” she replied softly, her mind drifting to thoughts of Gabriel.
Is he meeting someone? Has he returned to the Polar Bear Alliance?
While Aidan got the water, she gently closed her eyes and listened to the soothing prelude before the concert began, trying to calm her turbulent emotions.
Just then, a husky voice sounded from the seat directly across the aisle from her.
It was — Gabriel!
Her gaze fell upon him, only finding the woman beside him was — Emily!
“Gabriel, hold this Coke for me. I want to eat my ice cream first,” Emily said, handing him the drink.
“Give me the popcorn too. I’ll give it back after you finish your ice cream. Don’t worry; I won’t steal any,” he chuckled.
“Go ahead. I’m permitting you to eat them openly,” she teased, smiling as she dumped all the snacks into his hands.
Alison tried to look away, but she felt glued to the scene.
The theatre lights had dimmed, signalling the concert was about to start. Yet, a spotlight beamed brightly in Gabriel and Emily’s direction.
Alison was utterly confused. Wasn’t Emily already Rock’s fiancée?
Then why is she flirting with Gabriel?
A sudden tightness gripped her chest. Alison picked up her purse and stood up.
She hurried down the aisle, texting Aidan as she walked.
[I’m going to the restroom. I’ll be right back.]
Instead of heading to the restroom, she walked toward the front row of the aisle seats.
From there, she could clearly see Gabriel and Emily.
Meanwhile, Emily scooped a spoonful of ice cream and brought it to Gabriel’s lips.
Gabriel opened his mouth and ate the ice cream naturally.
She carefully wiped the traces of ice cream from the corners of his lips. Gabriel’s expression remained indifferent — but his silence signalled his tacit approval of Emily’s actions.
Pierced by the scene, Alison’s heart ached.
Tears silently rolled down her cheeks as she gazed at Gabriel.
The host’s opening remarks echoed on stage, but her eyes were fixed solely on that flirting couple.
Her phone suddenly rang, displaying Aidan on the screen.
Alison gently silenced it and replied with a text: [I’m still in the restroom. I’ll be right back.]
Aidan replied quickly:
[Okay, I got popcorn and orange juice. I’ll wait for you.]
The piano’s melody had already begun to flow — peaceful and beautiful.
Yet her heart remained tangled in chaos.