Chapter 72 Hesitation
I sent a message on Facebook ages ago, but got no response.
This was super unusual over the past four years.
Except for that one time I helped deliver a love letter for Jenny, he always replied to my Facebook messages.
Just as I was thinking about making a video call, Louis sent me a voice call request.
I answered, and Louis's cheerful laughter came through. "Why does your voice sound hoarse? Just wake up?"
I scratched my messy hair and yawned. "Good thing you called. If it was a video call, I wouldn't have answered. Gotta keep up my flawless rep."
Louis chuckled. "What do you want for lunch? You pick, I'll book."
I hesitated.
Last night, I thought it would just be us, but it turned into a gathering, and a couple of people were clearly targeting me. Louis looked out for me, but it wasn't a pleasant experience for me.
Plus, Louis's social circle is too dazzling for me to keep up with.
I prefer the simple life, like having a meal with Brad.
Also, several people at the table asked who I was, and Louis brushed it off without introducing me. I wasn't sure if he was considering my feelings or thought it wasn't necessary.
Either way, it made me uncomfortable.
"I want to eat at the cafeteria and get familiar with the school. Don't worry about me," I said.
Louis replied, "How can that be? I'm working hard to pursue you. You can't just shut me down like that."
I chuckled. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"Let me correct you," he said seriously. "Not a single word is nonsense. I'm serious about pursuing you. Get up and get ready. I'll pick you up in half an hour."
"There's a food street near the school, right? My classmates said the burgers there are delicious. How about we try them?" I suggested.
Louis didn't respond immediately. I wasn't sure if he was busy or thinking. "If you have something to do, go ahead. I'll go with my classmates."
Louis replied, "Not so busy. I'll listen to you. I'm heading out now."
I put on a white dress. It was a bit cloudy, so I added a light jacket. My long hair hung down my back, and I wore flat leather shoes.
I stood in front of the mirror, admiring myself. I had a bit of a vintage look.
Louis called, and I opened the door to leave. Just then, Mindy was at the door with a sullen face, fumbling for her keys. She snorted and walked past me, clearly upset.
I was used to Mindy's cold attitude. We were just roommates. If she wasn't friendly, I wouldn't push it. I'd just live my own life.
When I got downstairs, I walked into a real headache.
Louis was standing in the same spot as yesterday, twirling his keys in his left hand, his right hand in his pocket.
Two steps away was Daniel, exuding a cold aura, his right hand clenched into a fist.
Both looked like beasts guarding their territory, neither willing to back down. If I had to compare, Louis had a slight edge. Daniel had wronged Louis in the past, so he had already lost in terms of momentum.
Whether Daniel won or lost wasn't my concern. I didn't care why he was here either.
I didn't know how long they'd been talking, but when they saw me, they both went silent and turned to look at me.
The tension between them felt like a powder keg ready to blow.
"You look beautiful," Louis said, walking towards me with a smile. "Let's go for a walk first. Grad school starts soon, and we might not have time then."
"Okay, my classmate mentioned a botanical garden nearby with lots of roses. I want to check it out," I said.
"No problem. The roses I gave you yesterday were from there. The garden has many rare flowers. See if there's anything you like, and I'll get it for you," Louis replied.
"Flowers need freedom too. They like being in the soil, with wind and sunlight. Putting them in a pot is too restrictive. Just looking is fine," I declined.
Louis didn't argue, always agreeing with me.
As we walked and turned the corner of the apartment, I glanced back. Daniel was still standing there, head slightly lowered, lost in thought.
Louis's car stopped in front of a supermarket near the school. He told me to wait in the car and went inside. Less than ten minutes later, he came back with two large shopping bags.
I couldn't see clearly, but it looked like snacks and drinks.
"Why did you buy so many things?" I asked, puzzled.
The botanical garden wasn't far, just a sightseeing trip, not a picnic or camping. Did Louis have other plans?
He put the bags in the back seat and handed me a bottle of water. "I didn't buy much, just some snacks you girls like. Take whatever you want."
When I was a kid, I was obsessed with snacks. If I wasn't chewing on something, I felt lonely.
In college, Brad took care of me and used the excuse that snacks were unhealthy and would make me fat to stop my habit.
Now, when I saw snacks, I imagined my body swelling up, and it made me shiver.
"I don't eat snacks," I said.
Louis asked, confused, "Why not? Don't all girls like these?"
"They make me fat, so I don't want to eat them," I replied.
Louis laughed, looking at me like I was a child throwing a tantrum. He gently rubbed my head. "C'mon, a little won't kill you. It's not like you're eating them 24/7."
"Brad said I can't eat them," I added.
"Who's Brad?" Louis's reaction was sharp, immediately catching the key point.
It wasn't that I didn't want to eat, but that Brad wouldn't let me.
He looked at me inquisitively.
"Brad is Daniel's older brother, and kind of like my own brother. He's been taking care of me all these years at Northern Institute of the Arts," I explained.
"Daniel's brother," Louis's eyes showed a hint of something unfamiliar, maybe resistance or dissatisfaction.
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