Chapter 142 It's You from Ten Years Ago
Jessica hastily reached out and wiped away the tears on her face. "No, I was just thinking about some things from the past and suddenly felt a bit sentimental."
"It's nothing serious, I'm fine now," she said, forcing a smile to mask her true feelings.
"Really? You're not lying to me? What could make you so sad? Can you tell me about it?" Gabriel was naturally skeptical.
"Just some old memories, not worth mentioning. Oh, didn't we talk about grabbing dinner? I barely had anything for lunch, and now I'm starving," said Jessica.
"Alright, where do you want to have dinner?" Gabriel asked.
"The street outside No.1 High School," Jessica replied almost instinctively.
This location was something she had decided on long ago.
She had originally thought that if she ever returned there with him, it would bring back beautiful memories; but now, all she felt was sorrow and sadness.
'So be it, this is fine too. Let it end where it started. At least it can be a peaceful separation, not too messy,' she thought to herself.
Gabriel was quite surprised and asked with curiosity, "You seem to have a special fondness for No.1 High School?"
"Do I?" Jessica smiled but did not explain.
Summer nights always darkened late, and when they arrived at the high school, the sky was still bright, just in time for the sunset.
The sky was filled with fiery clouds—orange-red, deep red, and various shades of red painted the sky, forming a beautiful ink-wash painting. It was truly stunning.
The horizon was bathed in the glow of the setting sun;
Jessica looked up, delighted, the afterglow of the sunset casting a soft and beautiful light on her almond-shaped face.
"It's so beautiful!" Jessica praised.
A gentle breeze blew softly.
Everything was so beautiful, yet her heart felt as heavy as if it were filled with lead.
In the end, since everything had begun here, it was best to let it all end here as well.
"Gabriel, have you ever come back here since you graduated?" Jessica asked.
He shook his head. "I haven't had the time since graduation, except for that one time with you. Why? Have you been coming back often?"
Jessica nodded. "Yes, I come back every year, sometimes three or four times, at the very least once."
"Why?" Gabriel was curious.
Jessica smiled at Gabriel, and at that moment, she faced the wind, smiling like a child—youthful, lively, and pure.
She explained, "Because of the memories. The best and happiest years of my youth were spent here."
So, how could she not be nostalgic?
The best and happiest years?
At that moment, the first thought that came to Gabriel's mind was "him," the first love she had silently cherished for ten years.
Gabriel opened his mouth. But the words wouldn't come out.
He admitted he was scared, he was afraid.
Afraid of hearing her answer, even more afraid if it was a definite one.
If that were the case, he would be insanely jealous.
For now, he wanted to just continue deceiving himself. As long as she didn't say the answer, he could continue pretending not to know, continue numbing himself.
At least this way, it wouldn't hurt as much.
"What do you want to eat?" Gabriel changed the subject.
Jessica pointed to a noodle shop diagonally across the street. "I want to eat spaghetti, what about you?"
"I'll have the same as you."
"Alright."
They went to the restaurant together. Since it was dinner time, it was quite crowded inside. Fortunately, the place was large, and the seating was spacious, so even though there were many people, it still felt roomy.
They found a seat by the window, and Jessica sat down.
The waiter quickly brought the menu, but because it was so busy, he just placed it down and hurried off.
"Take a look first, call me when you're ready to order," the waiter said before bustling off to another table.
Jessica nodded. "Alright, you go ahead."
Being a small shop, it naturally couldn't provide the extensive services of a large restaurant. However, due to its affordability, it was a perfect fit for the school's vicinity.
"I want spaghetti with tomato meat sauce. What about you? What flavor do you want?" Jessica asked.
"The same as you," answered Gabriel.
Jessica was momentarily stunned. Just then, from a nearby table, she heard a girl softly whining, "No, I want spaghetti with spicy seafood sauce. The spaghetti with minced meat and clear broth isn't tasty at all."
"Alright, alright, I promise this is the last time I won't listen to you. Next time, I'll definitely follow your choice," the girl said, blinking her eyes and making cute gestures.
She was truly adorable.
Soon, Jessica heard the boy relent, "Okay, I'll agree this time, but not again."
Jessica listened, a faint smile curling her lips.
Indeed, the sweet love between young couples was truly heartwarming.
Even though she had been married for two years, she didn't find it annoying; instead, she found it filled with cuteness and sweetness.
True love was exemplified in the kind of affection where one could act spoiled, and the other would lovingly indulge them.
How could love be defined without a touch of spoiling, a hint of affectation, a dash of clinginess, and a spark of impulsiveness?
She was consumed by envy, utterly consumed.
Unfortunately, she had long passed that age.
Her heart seemed to have been worn down, devoid of cuteness and sweetness, devoid of passion and impulsiveness.
So, she was even more envious.
Watching them, for a moment, Jessica felt like she was back in school.
Love back then was so simple, and the things she wanted were very pure.
Looking at Gabriel again, she suddenly mustered the courage. "Since we have the same taste, do you want to share a large portion with me?"
"Sure."
Afraid of being misunderstood, Jessica explained again, "I mean, we share one large plate of spaghetti."
"Yes, one large plate," Gabriel repeated.
His words were simple, yet clear and firm.
"Excuse me? we want one large plate of spaghetti with tomato meat sauce," Jessica called out to place the order.
Soon, the spaghetti arrived, a large steaming plate, with vegetables and some tofu on top, smelling delicious.
Two forks were placed on the table, and they almost simultaneously put their forks into the plate.
As Jessica moved her fork, she realized their forks had crossed and intertwined.
At that moment, they both looked up.
Through the rising steam, their eyes met, and their faces became hazy and dreamlike.
In that instant, it seemed they both heard their own hearts pounding, fast and fervent.
It was clearly the sound of hearts fluttering!
But both tried hard to hide it, their faces calm and composed.
"You go first," Gabriel retracted his fork.
As Gabriel lowered his head to eat the spaghetti, Jessica watched him, suddenly stunned, her heart pounding fiercely.
It had been ten years!
She hadn't expected that her wish from back then would come true.
Though it was much later and had changed, the fact that it came true still made her a bit happy.
"What's wrong?" Seeing her not eating and seemingly in a daze, Gabriel looked up and asked.
