Lyle’s erratic breathing emanated through the dark corridor. He looked straight into my eyes with his wide, unblinking eyes. Inexplicable emotions seemed to have overpowered him before he finally said in a small voice, “Will you believe me if I said yes?”
I chuckled and blinked my eyes. “Why don’t you bet on it?”
It did not matter whether he was being truthful or otherwise. After all, I would not believe a word he said. It was funny enough that I could not seem to pinpoint any happy moments when we were together. Well, if I had to mention one, it would have to be the time when he proposed to me, albeit it being an illusion. However, it was just a dream, and I would never fall prey to the same delusion again.
“You don’t believe me?” Lyle looked at me indignantly. I supposed he was hurt from me ridiculing his attempt of sweet-talking.
“Of course, I believe you. I had believed everything you said before after all.
“Let’s go. I want to go visit Grandma. She’s waiting for me at the hospital.” I headed out of the corridor and took the elevator. The door sprung open when it reached the first floor, but Lyle pressed on the close button, obviously trying to prevent me from getting out of the elevator.
Furrowing my brows, I asked, “What’s the matter?”
Lyle said nothing and just looked at me. I did not avert my gaze. I was not Crystal, and I wasn’t the old Yvonne either. Hence, I was already immune to his charms, no matter how hard he was trying.
“We should… Well, in the future…”
“You’d better not finish that sentence!” I interrupted him. I did not have the intention of listening to what he had to say, be it us having a future, or the other way round. He was just spinning old yarns. I pressed the open button, strode out of the elevator, opened the car door to the backseat, and got into the car without hesitation.
“Why didn’t you sit in the front?” Lyle frowned. “You used to love riding shotgun.”
That’s because I used to think that the passenger seat is closer to you. I placed my bag in a corner and said impassively as he droned on, “I heard every word you said to Crystal clearly in the woods the other night.”
Stumped, he froze. All colors drained from his face as his lips twitched. It was as if he was fumbling for an explanation, but in the end, he said nothing. He merely turned around and drove the car.
I heaved a sigh of relief. Trying to ward him off was more tiring than working. I would have grabbed my bag and hurled it at his face if he had the audacity to keep rambling after what I just said to him.
Before long, we reached the hospital. Grandma was really sick as she lay in bed pale-faced. There was no vitality to her voice. She managed a weak smile at the sight of me but started to have trouble catching her breath after muttering a few words. I poured a glass of warm water for her.
Her weary eyes fixated on my bandaged arms and palms. She looked at Lyle and reprimanded him, “What are you doing? Why is she hurt all over just after a few days at the party?”
Lyle kept mum as he did not wish to further aggravate Grandma, as was I. Waving my hands, I dismissed the tension and said, “It’s nothing, Grandma. I was being careless. It’s only normal with the crowd at the party.”
“You’re scalded, dear. I had wanted to ask you to accompany me longer. Well, I’d better forget about that now. You’d better get back and take a good rest. I hope this will not leave a scar.” Grandma cast worried and concerned looks at me.
“I have nothing on today. Why don’t I stay instead? This little wound is nothing.” I smiled. Grandma really cared about me. No matter what intention she had in mind, I could feel that her concerns for me were sincere.
Grandma tried to talk me out of it but I was adamant about staying through the night with her.
“Did anything happen at the party? Did you enjoy yourself there?” Grandma caressed my cheeks and asked gently. Her hands were all wrinkled, and it felt rough against my skin. However, the warmth from her hand was comforting, and it had more than made up for the family love and warmth that I had never gotten from my own family.
