Chapter 331: Taking the Stage (Part 1)
Alison lifted her phone and leaned her body against the hallway wall. Then she dialed Gabriel’s number.
She stared intently at him as he calmly gazed at his phone.
Beside him, Emily leaned in, watching his screen and saying something.
The ringtone continued to play.
He finally picked up.
A flicker of delight surged through Alison. She took a deep breath and forced her voice to sound steady.
“Gabriel, I want to see you.”
“What’s up?” His voice was neutral, showing no attempt to avoid Emily.
“Nothing. I’m just walking down the street. I bought you a T-shirt. Could you come pick it up?” She lied smoothly, clinging to the hope he’d come.
“This… Alison, I’m not free tonight.” He hesitated briefly before declining.
“Is it the Polar Bear Alliance again? Please stop associating with them,” she blurted out.
“Yeah, I’m stuck at the Polar Bear Alliance headquarters right now. I can’t get away tonight. Let’s meet tomorrow instead. We can go swimming together!” he explained impatiently.
While she was on the phone with him, Emily had snuggled into Gabriel’s embrace, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed his cheek.
Though not loud, the sound was crystal clear to Alison over the phone.
Alison felt something lodge in her throat, the pain in her heart growing sharper.
“Gabriel, what was that sound?” she asked, clinging to a sliver of hope he might tell her the truth.
“Oh, nothing,” he replied.
“Can’t you really come?” Alison fought back tears, her voice catching slightly.
She forced a smile, but tears fell instinctively.
“Yeah, I’m busy. See you tomorrow, okay?” He suddenly softened, glancing around as if he had already sensed Alison there.
“Okay,” she murmured.
“Get some rest. I’ll pick you and the kids up first thing tomorrow morning. Good night,” he said.
“Tomorrow…”
“Alison, what’s wrong?” Gabriel sensed her silence and asked.
His voice was hoarse and tinged with panic, snapping her back to herself.
“Gabriel, can you hear me? The music there is really beautiful.” Alison tried to mask her disappointment as Emily’s hand still rested on Gabriel’s shoulder.
“Oh, it’s just the music from KTV. Nothing much,” Gabriel responded calmly.
“Well, I won’t bother you then. Get some rest early.” She chuckled.
“All right, Alison. Good night.” He hung up, his tone tinged with urgency.
But before he could put his phone back in his pocket, Emily kissed his cheek boldly — the image tore at Alison’s heart.
She stood dumbstruck in the hallway for so long before walking back to her seat.
“Alison, what took you so long? Are you feeling unwell?” Aidan spotted her pale face and asked anxiously.
“Nothing. I drank too much water at work this afternoon,” she said casually.
“Then what about the orange juice I bought? Should I throw it away?” He pointed to his Coke. “This is my favourite.”
“I’ll drink it,” she said with a smile.
“Here, sip before you eat. Look, I even got some fried chips.” He handed her the paper bag.
She snatched the bag and devoured the chips to vent her frustration.
Onstage, Rock sat elegantly like a prince in a tuxedo before the piano.
Alison couldn’t reconcile him with the Polar Bear Alliance. She refused to believe he was the leader of it.
“Alison, when will we hear you sing again? I remember that day at the ancestral home — you singing and Rock playing the piano. The sound was truly beautiful,” Aidan said.
“Would you like to hear me sing?” she asked.
“Yes, I’d love to,” he replied.
“Then tonight, I’ll sing for you. How about that?” she suggested.
“Alison, are you sure? You’re not pulling my leg, are you?” Aidan was taken aback.