Chapter 13
Charleston.
While tidying up her room, Marlene came across an old trunk she hadn’t seen in years. When she opened it, she found it filled with treasures from her school days: comic cards, a yo–yo, and even a classmate memo book.
She opened the memo book, its pages yellowed and oxidized with age, and saw a familiar name written inside.
Alaric.
Memories flooded back. Marlene thought for a long time before finally recalling the image of a chubby little boy, a far cry from the Alaric. standing before her now.
They had actually been classmates, but why had Alaric never mentioned it
before?
After a long, busy day, Marlene was exhausted. Listening to the sound of rain outside, she gradually drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, as she stepped outside, she was surprised to find Alaric curled up at her.doorstep, huddled like a pitiful little puppy.
“You didn’t sleep outside my door all night, did you?”
Perhaps hearing the doubt in Marlene’s voice, Alaric’s face immediately showed a look of anxiety. “It was too late last night and I had nowhere to go, I…”
Marlene sighed softly. Seeing Alaric’s expression, he really did look like some heinous criminal. “Fine, come in.”
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Alaric’s face instantly brightened, and he happily followed Marlene
inside. Finally, Marlene couldn’t help but ask the question that had been on her mind.
“Alaric, why didn’t you ever mention that we knew each other before?”
Alaric rubbed his rain–soaked hair with a towel, a goofy smile spreading across his face. “It’s not too late to say it now, is it? Besides, I was so ugly back then. What if you remembered and decided to ignore me?”
They had been elementary school classmates. Although nearly twenty years had passed, they had still shared that bond. And since Alaric’s arm injury was because of her, Marlene had no reason, emotionally or logically, to turn him away.
Alaric, for his part, quickly made himself at home, acting even more familiar with the place than Marlene herself.
But Marlene always kept a certain distance in her heart, cold and detached. Whenever anyone tried to cross her boundaries, she would immediately become guarded.
Marlene realized that it seemed almost impossible for her to enter into another relationship.
After only a short stay in Charleston, Marlene returned to New York.
The day after she got back to New York, Marlene received an invitation from Alaric, asking her to accompany him to a wedding.
Alaric pleaded with her, invoking their old classmate bond and every excuse he could think of. Marlene had no choice but to agree.
It was only when she arrived at the venue that Marlene realized it was Kenyon and Thelma’s wedding.
Alaric was a clever man. When Marlene realized what was happening and
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tried to leave, Alaric grabbed her wrist. “Stay until it’s over.”
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Marlene took a few deep breaths and calmed herself. Running away had never been a solution to her problems.
The wedding was grand. The pink roses at the venue had been flown in from France, and the bride’s jewelry featured a South African pink diamond recently auctioned for 120 million. The entire event could only be described as extravagant.
At twenty–three, Marlene had longed for marriage, for a perfect and magnificent wedding. At twenty–eight, she felt as if her heart had turned to ice, old before her time.
As the wedding march played, Kenyon walked onto the stage holding his bouquet. Thelma stood before him, her smile dignified. Laughter and anticipation filled the audience, but Kenyon listened to the officiant’s vows with numb indifference.
As the lights flickered, Kenyon suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure in the corner. His eyes widened in disbelief, and he rubbed them hard to make sure he wasn’t seeing things. Sitting in the audience was none other than Marlene, who had been missing for a week.
Seated in the crowd, Marlene felt a burning gaze upon her. She looked up, her eyes meeting Kenyon’s directly.
But this time, it was Kenyon–usually so calm and composed–who lost his composure, while Marlene became the cold and distant one.
Kenyon’s subtle change did not escape Thelma’s notice. She followed his gaze and immediately spotted Marlene in the audience. Lowering her voice, she said, “Kenyon, don’t forget what you’re doing!”
The corners of Kenyon’s eyes lifted slightly, always carrying a hint of charm and indifference.
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Looking into Kenyon’s eyes, Marlene could actually see a trace of deep affection, as if he might rush over to her at any moment.
But in the next second, their gazes parted. Marlene watched as they exchanged vows and kissed, everything appearing so natural and blissful.
As the applause rang out, Marlene leaned toward Alaric and whispered, “Did you bring me here just to watch this spectacle?”
Alaric chuckled softly. “No, I just wanted to get you a free meal today.”
Marlene was no fool; she understood perfectly well why Alaric had brought her here. But it seemed Alaric didn’t really understand her.
Marlene smiled too, her expression a little carefree under the dazzling lights. “Dr. Jensen, one thing about me is that I never go back to old
flames.”
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Lateefa Khanam is a spirited writer who finds freedom in horse riding. She cherishes her mare and the newborn foal, calling them her little happy family.
