Chapter 12 Are You Leaving?

The conversation between Albert and Victor was interrupted because Victor received a phone call.
As she quietly turned around to leave, Yvette caught sight of the medical report clutched in her hand, reminding her of her initial purpose for being there. After a moment of contemplation, she decided to walk out.
Having just seen Victor off, Albert turned around and immediately spotted Yvette. There was a brief flicker of surprise in his expression, but he quickly composed himself and averted his gaze. His eyes exuded an aura of aloofness that made it difficult to feel close to him.
Yvette shifted uncomfortably, moving her shoulders.
"I'm sorry for coming to see you so suddenly."
He didn't pay much attention to Yvette's words, gazing at her calmly and asking, "Why didn't you call me beforehand?"
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, it seemed that Yvette shouldn't have come.
"I apologize. I'll remember to call you in advance next time."
Albert furrowed his brow, speaking in a deep tone, "I meant, if you had called me beforehand, I could have picked you up."
Realizing her misunderstanding, she hesitated to delve further into it, simply acknowledging his words before falling silent.
Both remained silent. Yvette remembered her purpose and quickly handed him the checklist.
"Sylvia said you got the results. You need to see our director; only she can sign for you to get a replacement card." She handed him the checklist and prepared to leave, adding, "If you have nothing else, I'll head back."
As she turned, she was pulled back by Albert.
Yvette looked up and met his gaze.
His eyes were captivating, giving her the illusion of a close relationship between them.
She quickly withdrew her hand that he held, feeling uneasy, and asked, "Do you have something else?"
"I'll drive you," Albert said, not giving Yvette a chance to refuse.
Tall in stature, his long arm reached out behind her. Suddenly, the distance between them closed, and his warm breath grazed the top of her head. Looking at him from such close proximity, she noticed the subtle movement of stray strands of hair on his forehead, causing a momentary pause in her breath.
As his hand reached for the car door, the vehicle made a clicking sound, unlocking.
"Get in."
Yvette didn't resist his "kindness," for declining would only seem more deliberate.
"Albert."
As Yvette was about to get in the car, she heard someone behind her calling Albert's name.
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Yvette didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
It was Violet.
Just as Yvette had a glimmer of hope, it was suddenly shattered.
Violet and a woman walked towards them. Yvette didn't recognize the woman next to Violet, assuming she must be Violet's friend.
Violet's expression darkened as she stared intensely at Yvette, her eyes filled with hostility. She positioned herself directly between them without hesitation.
Sensing her intentions, Yvette remained silent and took a step back, increasing the distance between them.
Violet turned to Albert directly. "Where are you going?"
Albert remained silent.
"Let her go." Violet's tone was firm, showing no regard for Yvette's feelings.
Yvette knew she should leave at this point, but she hesitated. She glanced at Albert, unsure of what to do.
Her voice was low and slightly trembling as she asked, "Are you still going to drive me?"
The two women engaged in a silent battle, creating an awkward atmosphere.
Yvette bit her lip, resembling a defendant awaiting judgment, knowing the outcome wouldn't be favorable but still hoping.
After a while, Albert's silence shattered her illusions once again. She lowered her head and, as she had done before, said, "It's okay. If you're busy, I'll go back on my own."
A sense of shame washed over her like a tide.
She clenched her fists, forcing a smile. "Then, I'll take my leave."
Turning around, she felt her own silhouette appeared rather disheveled, yet she made an effort to straighten her back.
Just as she took a few steps, she heard Albert calling out to her from behind.
"Come back, Yvette."
The headlights ahead cast intermittent flashes of light into the car.
Yvette's emotions were a tumultuous mix of excitement and trepidation. It was difficult to fathom that Albert had actually chosen to leave Violet and drive her instead. At this moment, he was wholly focused on driving, while she sat in the passenger seat beside him.
She couldn't even bring herself to speak, fearing she might shatter the tranquility of the moment. 
'Is this real? Could it be that I'm dreaming?'
Her mind was a blank slate, only able to register her anxious heartbeat.
After over forty minutes had passed and they still hadn't reached Yvette's home, as they waited at a traffic light, Albert suddenly turned to her and asked, "Are you hungry?" 
Yvette, who had been lost in thought, only then snapped back to reality and hastily replied, "I'm fine; I can eat at home." 
With a neutral expression, Albert remarked, "It's late. Even if you're not hungry, the child in your stomach must be." 
Without giving Yvette a chance to refuse, he parked the car and accompanied her into the convenience store. 
Inside the brightly lit store, a plethora of products greeted them, with food emitting enticing aromas.
Albert casually picked up some food, and they sat down to eat in the convenience store.
The bright light illuminated Albert's profile, accentuating his features. His phone kept receiving messages, lighting up intermittently, but he didn't react much, just glancing at it whenever a message came in.
The chairs were close together, and Albert's tall frame and broad shoulders made it seem like they were sitting very close. Occasionally shifting in their seats, the sound of their clothes rubbing against each other could be heard. Yvette was so absorbed in watching their arms almost touching that she hardly noticed what she was eating.
Albert's phone started vibrating continuously, and Yvette sneakily glanced at it, noticing Victor was calling.
Albert's brow furrowed tightly as he abruptly hung up the call.
After a while, the phone started vibrating again, repeatedly. Albert finally answered.
Because they were sitting so close, the voice on the phone sounded loud.
"Albert! What's wrong with you? You don't reply to messages or answer calls! Don't you care about her life?" Victor's voice was a mix of anger and urgency.
Albert's expression remained cold. "I'm not a doctor. Stop bothering me."
"Albert, do you realize that if Violet drinks too much alcohol, she'll end up in the emergency room? If you don't go back, she'll definitely drink herself to death today. Are you trying to make yourself regret this?" 
"Can't you guys stop her?" Albert furrowed his brow impatiently and said, "I'm done." 
After hanging up the phone, Albert's demeanor appeared unsettled. Although he didn't express anything to Yvette, his frequent glances at his phone indicated his concerns.
Outside the convenience store, many cars passed by, raising dust and dimming the streetlights, making the surroundings appear blurry.
Yvette had a sense of foreboding, which she tried to dismiss by nonchalantly nibbling at her food, yet she couldn't taste a thing. 
Looking out the glass window, Yvette used this as a facade to mask the sense of loss in her eyes.
Yvette looked out the window, using it to mask her sense of loss.
She asked, "Are you leaving?"