Chapter 67 The Person Who Waited in Place All Along

Sophie walked out of the mall. "Evelyn is back! She is really back. No matter the reason, she has returned just like that," she thought to herself.

Luis didn't know what was wrong with Evelyn, but something seemed off when they left the shopping center. She was silent and lost in thought, taking a long time to respond to anything he asked her. It was really strange.

Evelyn glanced at the time and realized it was almost lunchtime. Finally, she thought of her son. "Luis, are you hungry?"

Luis nodded. Evelyn took out her phone and dialed Vivian's number. Vivian had just come back from a hospital check-up and was prepared to share the news of her pregnancy when Evelyn interrupted. "I'm sending Luis to your place for the afternoon. I have something to attend to."

As soon as Vivian heard the tone of Evelyn's voice, she knew something was wrong. "What's going on? We're almost at the entrance of the community. Where are you?"

"I'll meet you at the community entrance. I'll be having lunch with Antonio today, so I need to trouble you guys," Evelyn replied.

Vivian understood and finally realized the situation. "Are you not telling Antonio?"

"I'll introduce the child to him next time. Won't it be too overwhelming if I bring the child directly to him?" Evelyn considered Antonio's feelings and thought it would be better to tell him slowly.

"Understood." Vivian hung up the phone and focused on the roadside, afraid of missing the mother and son.

Once Luis got in the car, Vivian quickly moved to the back seat to play with him. Charles looked at them and smiled, thinking that he would soon become a father as well. He wondered how it would feel. His heart was filled with anticipation.

Vivian caught Charles's smile and asked, "Why are you so happy?"

"It's nothing!" Charles replied enthusiastically. He then started to tease Luis in the back seat. "Luis, your aunt is going to have a baby. Would you like a little sister or a little brother?"

Luis widened his eyes. He immediately climbed into Vivian's lap and looked at her with a determined gaze. "Really? Am I going to have a little brother? I'll protect him!"

Vivian sat back down. "Why do you want a little brother? Isn't a little sister good too?"

Luis pondered seriously for a moment. "Will a little sister be clingy? Like Clara? Hmm, I don't like little sisters." Clara was the little girl from upstairs, who really liked Luis. It scared him, so he became afraid of younger girls.

Vivian laughed at his response. "Haha, you really have no idea who you take after!" It was probably Étienne, so astute and logical. Of course, Vivian kept the thought to herself. She didn't tease him further.

Evelyn found Antonio's café, and from the decorations, it was evident how much effort Antonio put into it—Firefly. The pure black sign was adorned with fluorescent stars, echoing the font. It was a true portrayal of a firefly.

On a small chalkboard by the entrance, today's featured drinks were written in exquisite handwriting. The simple and elegant interior design was particularly appealing. There was also a big, chubby black cat lazily squinting its eyes on the counter.

When Evelyn arrived, Antonio came out from the back silently and led her upstairs. There was something strange about his expression, which made Evelyn inexplicably anxious. They sat in a small booth, and soon the server brought them double espressos and some pastries.

Evelyn didn't seem to have changed much. In fact, she looked even younger! There was a softer aura about her, and she didn't have the same arrogance as before. Antonio looked at her and felt that time was truly a miraculous thing. Depending on who it touches, it can either stay still or move forward.

Antonio, on the other hand, had changed a bit. He was wearing a black shirt with the café's name and logo on the right chest. His appearance hadn't changed much, but he seemed a lot more mature, emanating a sense of sophistication in his facial expressions that he didn't have before. Evelyn noticed this at first glance.

As a young server entered the room, her gaze lingered between the two of them. Her face alternated between brightness and darkness, leaving them uncertain of her intentions. Antonio spoke up coldly, "Hailey, don't you have anything else to do?" Evelyn had never seen this side of Antonio before. He had never been this strict with her or any other new people around him.

Hailey pouted and walked out immediately. Evelyn looked at Antonio and asked, "Why are you so strict with her?"

Antonio paid no attention to Evelyn's question and lifted his cup. "Yours is a special blend, no worries." He remembered that Evelyn had a sensitive stomach but still loved the taste of coffee. He really wanted to forget everything about her, but he couldn't. He was truly helpless.

"Thank you," Evelyn said softly, but she wasn't sure if she was thanking Antonio for the coffee or for everything he had done for her. She picked up the cup in front of her and leaned in to take a sniff—it smelled really good. But when she took a sip, the flavor wasn't overpowering. She nodded slightly in approval; it was the best it could be.

Antonio then ordered a few more pastries. "Try them. Later, I'll take you out to dinner." Their conversation flowed naturally, as if they were old friends reuniting, free of any awkwardness. However, Antonio's mind was in turmoil.

He wanted to ask a lot of questions, but he couldn't find the words. He wanted to know, but he didn't know how.

Antonio looked at Evelyn, unable to determine her emotions from her expression. Evelyn saw this and didn't know what to do.

"It's not your fault. I haven't kept in touch with you for five years," Evelyn said. Despite her attempt to sound casual, her words still hurt.

"It's all my own wishful thinking. It's not your responsibility, so you don't have to blame yourself. But I don't understand. We were friends. Couldn't you give me any news?" Antonio asked slowly and carefully, shaking Evelyn's hesitant and embarrassed demeanor.

Antonio chuckled softly. "I was just teasing you. We are still friends. Everything is fine, so don't worry." The upward curve of Antonio's mouth eased Evelyn's mind a little. Antonio added, "How were the pastries? I put a lot of thought into them."

Evelyn nodded and said, "The taste is excellent. Vivian told me this place is popular, and the interior is beautiful. It must be busy normally, right?" She felt slightly relieved after expressing all these thoughts at once.

"Business is alright. It's not too busy now," Antonio answered.

They ended up having a meal at a nearby restaurant. "So, are you planning to make a comeback?" Antonio asked.

"Yes, I realized that besides my previous job, I don't know what else to do. So I think I should make a comeback while I'm still young. It'll be too late for me to pursue this career in the future." Evelyn tried to sound as relaxed as possible.

Antonio nodded and said, "It's good to know that. Feel free to ask for my help. I still have some resources. To be honest, I'm quite bored nowadays, and occasionally I can't help but think of the days we worked hard together. Looking back, those days seem so distant."

Hearing his tone, Evelyn asked, "Why did you quit?"

"I just wanted a break. But now that I'm really resting, life feels boring again. That's how people are." Antonio took a sip of the red wine on the table. "So, do you want me to join you?" he asked casually, but his heart was filled with anticipation.

Evelyn shook her head. "I can't involve you again," she said earnestly.

"It never felt like a burden," Antonio whispered softly and cautiously. Seeing Evelyn's lack of response, he continued, "How have you been?"

"I've had some changes," Evelyn replied.

Antonio looked at Evelyn thoughtfully. "Don't tell me you have a child now."

Evelyn was momentarily surprised, but she nodded silently.

The rest of the meal was unusually quiet. Neither of them spoke anymore. Antonio finished all the red wine on the table, feeling like a fool but pretending not to care.

In the end, Evelyn said to Antonio, "I'll bring him some day."

"See you. Thank you so much for all these years. I can't even imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't met you back then."

Antonio didn't even know how he could manage to smile. He settled the bill, escorted Evelyn to the car, and returned to the café in a daze. The place felt inexplicably unfamiliar now. He kicked a chair, and the sound brought Hailey rushing out from the back.

She stared at Antonio with wide eyes. "What's wrong with you?"

Antonio passed by her without a word, stumbling a bit. Hailey reached out to support him. Her boss was always inscrutable. He never seemed happy, even with such a good café. Hailey understood that these things must be related to the beautiful woman she saw today.

She had heard people say that the café was opened for a woman. Hailey seemed to understand that the woman from earlier must be the one. She was truly beautiful. It felt like she had seen that face somewhere before.

Antonio pushed Hailey away and took a few steps forward, almost falling to the ground. Hailey stepped forward again and helped him. They struggled in this manner until Antonio finally let Hailey support him and sit him down.

The café had sent an urgent notice of closure for the day. Hailey finally understood why—the café was opened for her, and now that she was here, there was no need to receive anyone else. It turned out the boss was so earnest.

Antonio lay on the table, lost in thought. Hailey leaned on her hand, watching him. Why was she still drawn to him, even though she knew there was someone else in his heart? This part-time job was really frustrating, and she couldn't help but complain about herself in her heart.