Chapter 261 The Taste of Loving Someone
Now with her own problems, Isabella was particularly vigilant. She forced a laugh, "I see. Grandpa misses me, but I can't show up empty-handed. You go ahead; be there soon."
Peter looked at her with amusement as she stood tall, letting him stare.
Soon, a buzzing sound interrupted them.
He informed her, "Miss Wallace, your phone is ringing."
"Thank you," she said, turning away to check the caller ID. "Grandpa?"
The old man's voice came through with concern, "Isabella, I heard you were being bullied in Y City?"
"Don't worry about it, Grandpa," she felt a warmth in her heart, genuinely fond of him, "I’m doing just fine."
"How could I not worry? Peter’s with you, right? You’re both going the same direction anyway, so just go along with him."
With such a kind invitation, Isabella naturally wouldn't refuse, "Alright, Grandpa."
After getting into the car, she took the chance to express her gratitude, "Thanks for this."
Although Peter didn't get along with Sebastian, he wouldn't trouble a lady, much less make things difficult for a woman in distress.
"Don't mention it."
With that, he started the engine.
Watching him turn onto a quiet back road, Isabella subconsciously felt a sense of panic.
He explained, "The usual main road is under construction, so we have to take this detour. Don't worry, Miss Wallace."
"Oh, I see."
Their conversation was limited to this brief exchange, while the rest of the ride went on in awkward silence.
At Lawrence Group’s headquarters, on the top floor.
After finishing a meeting, Sebastian stood by the window, oblivious when Joshua opened the door and walked in.
"Did you go deaf after returning from Y city or something?" he plopped down onto Sebastian's desk, fiddling with the latter’s phone, "I called you like three or four times."
Sebastian's phone had no password. As Joshua played with it, the screen lit up.
His eyes accidentally caught sight of something that almost made his jaw drop.
"Sebastian, what the heck? What's that on your head? Bunny, bunny... A bunny guy?" his mouth almost fell open as he saw the selfie, "Did Isabella take this with your phone? Huh? Seems like your relationship has taken a leap."
Sebastian didn't even turn around, standing as stiff as a post.
Noticing his unusual demeanor, Joshua grew serious, "What's the matter?"
Sebastian clenched his fist, then released it after a moment. He then clenched it again, repeating the motion.
Finally, he asked, "Joshua, what's it like to love someone?"
He sounded defeated and helpless, as if he had been overpowered and subdued.
Joshua was silent for a few seconds, a flash of understanding in his eyes.
His low chuckle carried a fondness, recalling each of Brittany's gestures and smiles.
"It's hard to say. It could be sweet and bitter, making you irrational. When she's happy, I feel more happier than when securing a multi-million-dollar deal. When she's sad, I’d take on all her sorrow if I could."
His Adam’s apple bobbed as his eyes reddened. “When she laughs with another man, I drown in jealousy. I can’t help but crazily provoke her, wishing I could strike down the man down. When she’s cold and acts like she doesn't love me anymore, I just want her to feel my pain. My manners disappear, and I simply descend into madness.”
“She has her finger on the switch of my emotions. I'm like a puppet on strings; not even someone I recognize anymore.”
As Sebastian listened, his tension suddenly snapped, sending his heart racing as he was breathless.
He clasped his hands, his arm veins bulging.
He recalled moments he spent with Angela, replaying like a carousel of images. Trying to recall his time with Lynda only brought fuzzy and tranquil ones that didn’t stir any waves.
Could it be?
Was he in love with...
Isabella?
Sebastian was shocked, panicked, and lost.
Joshua watched Sebastian’s back and smiled. “However, that was the old me. Now... well.”
Pausing, he prodded further, “Sebastian, who's on your mind right now? Can you see clearly?”
However, a buzzing sound interrupted them - Sebastian's phone was ringing.
The call was timely; Joshua's question went unanswered.
Sebastian turned and answered the call, not checking who it was due to his agitation.
“Mr. Lawrence!” A woman's voice was frantic to the point of shrillness, “Ms. Blair is in trouble! Please come quickly!”
Sebastian's expression tightened. “What happened?”
He went to the coat rack, slung his jacket over his shoulder and walked out.
“I don’t know! Ms. Blair went out for a meal with her friends, and when she returned, she looked pale and almost fainted a moment ago.”
“Okay, I’m on my way.” Exhaustion was evident on Sebastian’s face, but his steps were quick.
Joshua watched Sebastian leave, silently sighing.
He prided himself on understanding Sebastian, but now, he couldn’t determine if Sebastian was just too concerned about Lynda or running from his true feelings.
Shaking his head in defeat, Joshua left the office and returned to his own.
But on his way there, he would inevitably pass the design department.
He paused, smiling as he leaned against the wall and watched Brittany bustle about from afar.
The woman he loved was independent and confident; he could never get enough of watching her, to the point he wanted to do it forever.
"Cough!" A loud cough jerked through Joshua's chest, bringing a sting of pain. He winced, caught off-guard as he quickly covered his mouth.
Colleagues looked his way. "Mr. Sinclair, are you alright?"
Concerned about drawing Brittany's attention, he lightly withdrew his hand and flashed a warm, friendly smile. "I'm fine, go on with your work."
He then walked away.
The path back to his office wasn't far, but the physical pain made the distance seem daunting.
Once he was alone in the hallway, he held on for support against the wall, closing his eyes and breathing deeply.
Sensing a sticky sensation in his palm, he froze for a few seconds. Then, he slowly raised his hand and spread his fingers.
When he coughed earlier, the fine traces of blood in the palm he had held to his mouth were strikingly evident.
He was coughing up blood; this realization staggered Joshua.
His body, his illness… had it really gone to this point?
Frankly, whether he lived or died didn’t matter, but Brittany mattered to him. How much longer could he watch over her?
Brittany…
The bitterness in his mouth was so intense it reached his heart, causing a fine shudder.
"You… Joshua, you…" Suddenly, a woman's gasp cut through the air.
Joshua squinted and straightened up. He clenched his fist, concealing the blood as he casually put his hand into his pocket.
The initial defeat on his face had vanished completely.
He looked sharply forward. "I've told you; don't come looking for me if it's not important."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
