Chapter 100 Good Night
When I found out Daniel intercepted my letter, I was so mad I stormed over to his place, demanded it back, and gave him a piece of my mind. I didn't talk to him for ages after that.
Now I realize I blamed him unfairly. He was actually looking out for me.
But why didn't Daniel say anything back then? If he had, I would've avoided getting involved with Louis and all that embarrassment.
Daniel explained, "You looked at me like I was the enemy. Even if I had told you, would you have believed me? You'd probably think I had some hidden agenda and hate me even more."
He had a point. Given my mindset at the time, I wouldn't have believed him. Is that why he kept quiet? It's like with Zoe; I knew he wouldn't believe me, but I still kept reminding him. Why couldn't Daniel do the same for me? Whatever, he meant well, so I'll forgive him for intercepting my letter.
To apologize for misunderstanding him, I treated him to a cafeteria meal. He ate while complaining I was stingy, holding onto millions but not buying him a decent meal. I was so mad I almost took the tray back, and only then did he reluctantly shut up and eat.
I saw Louis again a month later.
In November, it got freezing in Regalia. I pulled out the short cotton jacket Brad gave me last year at the Northern Institute of the Arts, wore it over a sweater, paired it with a short skirt and knee-high boots. Simple and comfy.
I came out early at noon, so I strolled on the track to kill time. Somehow, a pebble got into my boot, making my heel hurt.
I walked to the podium, sat on the steps, and took off my boot to shake out the pebble.
At that awkward moment, a pair of shiny leather shoes stopped in front of me. Looking up, I saw Louis smiling down at me.
After almost a month, he still looked as handsome as I remembered, though a bit thinner. He seemed in good spirits, his eyes bright.
I awkwardly put my boot back on, cursing myself for choosing such a moment to take off my shoe in front of Louis. How embarrassing.
"How have you been?" he asked.
"Good. How about you? Is your injury healed?" I said.
Louis turned, and we walked side by side along the track towards the teaching building, chatting as we went.
"All healed. I heard Professor Evans is taking you to a competition. How's the preparation going?" he asked.
"I have some ideas. The next step is to finalize the direction and create samples," I replied.
"Good luck. I hope you achieve great results," he said.
"Thank you," I responded.
Louis walked me to the entrance of the teaching building and watched me go inside.
I walked to the stairs and looked back. He was still there, watching me.
Seeing me turn back, he smiled warmly, raised his right hand, and waved. His eyes sparkled.
I ran to the classroom, found a corner seat, and lay on the desk for a long time.
That night, around ten, I put down my paintbrush, washed up, and lay in bed, ready to read an e-book before sleeping. My phone buzzed with a new Facebook message.
I opened the message and saw Louis's avatar flashing. It read, "Jane, is there really no chance for us?"
It felt like a weight on my chest, making it hard to breathe.
I stared at those words until my eyes stung and tears streamed down my face.
I typed and deleted repeatedly, finally sending, "Good night."
Louis didn't message again, but I stared at the screen until it went black.
I couldn't return Louis's love, but I never meant to hurt him. Yet, with everything that happened, he got hurt, both physically and emotionally.
Sunday was Louis's birthday. Mindy called to ask if I wanted to go. She said a few childhood friends were celebrating with him, and the Anderson family wouldn't be there.
For a moment, I was tempted to go and apologize to Louis in person. No matter how his family viewed me, he had always been sincere with me.
But then I thought, Louis had endured over a month of hardship. My answer that night probably pushed him into despair. If he could endure a bit longer, he might get over it.
If I went to celebrate his birthday, it might affect him again. That would be unfair to him, and I couldn't bear to see him suffer more.
So, I declined.
Mindy was silent for a moment on the phone, then said, "Jane, sometimes you're so calm that it's almost cold-blooded."
I didn't argue, just hung up silently.
Everyone could blame me, and I would accept it. I deserved it for hurting Louis's feelings.
But what about my suffering? Why didn't anyone consider my perspective? What did I do wrong from start to finish?
Feeling down, I had a restless sleep.
I woke up from a nightmare in the middle of the night, and the room was pitch black.
My phone on the pillow suddenly lit up.
"Sorry." The sender was Louis.
I looked at the time on my phone: 1:35 AM.
I thought for a long time but couldn't understand the sudden apology.
The sleepiness vanished instantly because of that apology. I stared at the dark sky outside until it brightened.
Feeling dizzy, I got up and was brushing my teeth when Mindy came back.
She glanced at me washing up, took off her coat with unsteady steps, hung it up, and collapsed on the bed, looking exhausted.
"Why are you back at this hour?" I rinsed my mouth, put away my toothbrush, squeezed some face wash into my palm, and asked her while washing my face.
Mindy was silent.
I saw her lying motionless on the bed in the bathroom mirror, thinking she was asleep, so I moved quietly and didn't speak again.
When I finished getting ready and came out, she was up and changing clothes.
Her beautiful back was fully exposed to me. I wanted to admire Mindy, but what I saw shocked me.
Mindy had a tan complexion, but now her skin from behind her ears to her shoulders was covered in red marks. Some spots were even broken and scabbed.
"Mindy, are you hurt?" I asked in surprise.
Before I finished speaking, I stood up, gently touching her wounds, wondering what had happened to her.
No wonder she looked so tired; she was injured.
But she slapped my hand away, put on a new sweater to cover the marks, sat on the bed, and made the first move."
"With whom? What do you mean?" I was puzzled.
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