Chapter 374 Love Me
Brad glanced at the clothes scattered on the floor, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. He sifted through them and ended up packing only half a suitcase.
I eyed the underwear Brad had tossed on the sofa. When he wasn't looking, I snuck it into the bottom of the suitcase.
When Brad came back from washing his hands, he noticed my sneaky move, chuckled, and ruffled my hair without a word. Then he closed the suitcase.
Brad was always so patient and indulgent with me.
I said, "Why are you laughing? Listen, if you need anything, buy it yourself or let me know, and I'll send it to you. But you absolutely can't wear anything Jenny got for you, especially..." I couldn't bring myself to say it—underwear was too personal.
Even though Brad and I had been sharing a bed for ages, it was just that—sleeping.
"Especially underwear, got it. Don't worry. Even if I have to go commando, I won't wear anything Jenny bought," Brad promised earnestly.
"Good, be good. And remember to cover your bits with a towel when you go out, so no one can peek." I patted his firm butt, giving him a heartfelt reminder.
"Bits? What bits? Tell me?" Brad leaned down, shamelessly mimicking a certain sensitive action, bumping into me a few times.
His antics made my face blushed.
How could I not know Brad's desire? A thirty-year-old man who hadn't had sex was remarkable and not to be messed with.
We joked around for a bit. Seeing that it was almost time, Brad took me out early.
He didn't feel comfortable with me living alone, so he sent me back to Mia's place, asking me to stay there until he returned.
But all my stuff had been moved to the new house, and there was nothing there. Staying there for a while would require a lot of things; moving them back and forth was too much hassle.
On the other hand, there were still many things left in the school apartment, so living there temporarily for a few days was no problem. Although Brad was reluctant, he had no choice but to send me to the school apartment.
Jenny's car arrived in front of the apartment to pick up Brad.
When we got there, she was already waiting.
It was a fancy black sedan. Jenny sat on the left side of the back seat. The driver got out to eagerly open the right side door for Brad.
From an etiquette standpoint, Jenny's gesture showed Brad a lot of respect and a bit of flattery.
But Jenny still didn't get that everything she did only made Brad more repulsed by her; it didn't help her case at all.
Jenny's sudden demand for a business trip at night was a tactic in itself.
Brad always hated such calculated moves since childhood.
Moreover, love couldn't withstand calculation. I had always been straightforward and sincere, never scheming or guessing, which others saw as foolish. But Brad said he liked this about me, finding it particularly rare.
Brad put his luggage in the trunk, gently pushed the open door, and said with a warm smile, "Thanks, but it's not appropriate. I'll sit in the front seat."
After that, Brad opened the front passenger door himself and got in.
It was a small gesture, but it made me feel so secure.
Maybe because she'd been turned down by Brad so many times, Jenny didn't get mad. She just sat there with a formulaic smile, looking a bit smug.
After all, Brad was going with her. Why would Jenny be upset over something so minor?
The car started moving slowly; I stood by the roadside, waving non-stop.
We'd said too many goodbyes. When the moment of parting actually came, I was at a loss for words. I could only smile and watch my lover leave.
Brad rolled down the window and reached his hand out to wave, his eyes full of me, and his face showing a gentle smile.
The car gradually sped up, about to disappear from my sight.
My chest suddenly filled with the bitterness of parting, and I instinctively ran in the direction the car disappeared; tears started streaming down my cheeks without warning.
Images from novels I'd read suddenly popped into my mind, where lovers in a passionate relationship would chase after a departing car, shouting, "Come back soon; I'll wait for you," or "Honey, don't go; I love you."
When I read those, I thought they were so melodramatic. Why wait until parting to say something that could be said anytime?
Now that I was experiencing it myself, I finally understood that parting itself was a special moment that could trigger long-hidden emotions and make them erupt.
Finally, the car completely disappeared.
I was left alone on the quiet campus road, silently crying.
Brad left my side, taking my heart with him.
Unknowingly, I had run quite far. I walked back along the familiar path, feeling desolate.
The moonlight was cold, and the streetlights stretched my shadow long and thin.
I absentmindedly kicked a small stone on the road. The innocent stone flew up, tracing a parabolic path in the low air, landing in a corner with a faint sound.
The world seemed even more empty and lonely because of that faint sound.
Without Brad's company, I felt so lonely.
Without that warm embrace at night, I didn't know if I could sleep.
Brad and I were always inseparable. Now that we had just parted, I already started missing him.
My phone dinged; it was a message from Brad.
Brad: [Honey, don't cry. It breaks my heart. Go back and rest. You can call me anytime if you miss me. I love you. Remember to miss me and wait for me to come back.]
My face felt a bit hot. After dating Brad for over a year, this was the second time he had passionately said he loved me. What a sudden confession!
Brad's few words managed to stop my tears. How pathetic I was!
The apartment was still the same, but the dust on the windowsill and table was a bit thick. It couldn't be lived in without cleaning.
I fetched a basin of water, wiped the dust, changed the bed sheets and covers, and watered the two potted plants on the windowsill. I was busy for over twenty minutes.
After everything was tidied up, I took a shower, changed into comfortable pajamas, and climbed into bed.
I opened my phone again; Brad had sent a message asking if I was asleep.
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