Chapter 3
After Annabelle was done with the IV drips, Nathan helped her up and got ready to go home.
As soon as they reached the parking lot, Annabelle caught sight of Evelyn, who was waiting up ahead. The moment Nathan saw her, he almost instinctively let go of Annabelle’s hand.
“Evie, why haven’t you left yet?”
Evelyn was just about to respond when she noticed Annabelle. She paused, and the smile on her face faltered.
“There’s something I’d like to talk to you about, Nate. And, who might this be?”
Since Annabelle and Nathan had agreed to keep their relationship a secret from the beginning, Nathan had no qualms about sticking to it. He went ahead and introduced her.
“This is my sister’s best friend. I’m here to accompany her for a check-up because she fell sick.”
When Annabelle heard Nathan’s words, she felt as though something was tightening in her chest, making it hard to breathe.
All these years, she’d never understood why they had to keep their relationship a secret.
At first, she’d thought it was because Nathan was worried that Daphne would find out. But it wasn’t until this very moment that she finally realized why their relationship had been kept under wraps and hidden from so many people—the only person he truly wanted to hide it from was Evelyn.
Annabelle forced a faint smile and said softly, “Hello, I’m Annabelle Winslow.”
At that, the smile on Evelyn’s face deepened. She, too, introduced herself before getting to the point.
“My friends are throwing me a party to welcome me back, Nate. Would you like to join us? You should come along and join in on the fun too, Annabelle. We can get to know each other.”
Annabelle’s first instinct was to turn down the offer, but Nathan was one step ahead and agreed to it.
Looking at the open car door, she had no choice but to get in.
Nathan kept coming up with various topics to keep the conversation going and reminisce about the past with Evelyn.
“Nate, you still keep these strawberry-flavored candies in your car? I remember during the New Year Recital back in high school, I was so nervous before playing the piano.
“You asked me how you could help alleviate my anxiety. I told you that I wanted these strawberry-flavored candies, so you braved the pouring rain and went out to buy me some. From then on, you’d always give me a few of these every time you saw me.
“Hey! This figurine looks familiar! It’s Winnie the Pooh, isn’t it? I texted you to tell you how much I loved it! I didn’t expect you to buy it too!
“Nate, the cologne you’re wearing smells nice. I just casually mentioned once that this scent makes men more attractive, and now you’re using it too…”
Annabelle listened in silence. She only just realized that Nathan, who’d always seemed laid-back and carefree, actually subtly tried to please the woman he truly loved, behaving much like a teenage boy experiencing his first love.
Looking up, Annabelle saw his flushed ears through the rearview mirror.
Did he still feel the same way about Evelyn after so long? Then again, she was his first love.
After they got to the bar, Annabelle found herself a seat in the corner. Nathan, on the other hand, naturally took a seat beside Evelyn. He even took off his coat and draped it over her legs.
The people in the private room immediately started poking fun at them.
“It’s been five years, and you’re still such a gentleman, Nate? If Evie loses a drinking game tonight, should we just pour the drinks straight into your glass instead?”
“Why do you even bother asking? Nate doesn’t have a girlfriend, so there won’t be anyone checking up on him. As long as Evie says the word, he’d probably drink himself to death here tonight without a second thought.”
Hearing this, Nathan instinctively glanced at Annabelle. She had her head lowered as she busied herself on her phone, seemingly oblivious to their conversation. Feeling uneasy, he quickly sent her a message.
“Bells, they don’t know about our relationship; that’s why they’re teasing us. Don’t take it to heart. Since we’re here to welcome Evie back, it isn’t the right time to make our relationship public. I’ll wait for the right time to let everyone know about us.”
The right time? There would never be a right time anymore.
Soon, they started playing a drinking game. Annabelle lost the first round, and her punishment was to take three shots.
Nathan initially reached out to help her, but someone stopped him.
“Hey, our rule is that you can only drink for someone if they agree! Annabelle, you’re almost 30, aren’t you? With all your experience in the workplace, three shots shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
At the deliberate mention of her age, Annabelle felt a sting in her heart.
She didn’t want to owe Nathan any favors before she left, so she picked up the drinks and downed them one after another. Despite the discomfort, she forced herself to finish the drinks, and the room erupted in applause and cheers.
In the second round, Evelyn shot Nathan a look after she lost the game, and the others knowingly poured her drink into his glass. Without any hesitation, he downed the drinks for her.
In the following rounds, Evelyn kept losing, so Nathan’s glass was never empty. It didn’t take long for him to get up and stagger to the restroom in a drunken stupor.
When he didn’t return after ten minutes, Annabelle left the room and found him in the stairwell.
As soon as he saw her, Nathan pulled her into his arms and mumbled softly, “Evie, I’m so happy. You’re finally back. I only want to be with you for the rest of my life. I don’t want you to have any bad experiences at all.
“What others have, my darling Evie must have too. So I spent five years learning. Now, I know how to make my girlfriend happy, what gifts to get you, and how to kiss…
“I’ll treat you very well, I’ll spoil you so much, and I’ll make you the happiest woman alive. Will you be with me? I really, really love you…”
Each syllable he uttered felt like a knife slashing at Annabelle’s heart, leaving it bloody and raw.
Annabelle stared at him as unmistakable sorrow and pain filled her eyes. She bit her lip until it bled, and a metallic tang spread in her mouth.
She failed to hold back the urge to ask him, “What am I to you, Nathan?”
