Chapter 18
After transferring several flights, Jasper finally landed in Mireva. The first thing he did was rush to the beach because he couldn’t wait to see Holly.
Suddenly, a uniquely designed café caught his attention. The shop was built like a transparent aquarium, offering an unobstructed view of the ocean. It was decorated with various marine elements.
There was a curtain made of seashells at the entrance. An antique bookshelf stood nearby, filled with rare books and art albums. To sit in a lounge chair and sunbathe while reading a novel there would be utterly dreamy.
Jasper felt an inexplicable fondness for this place. Every detail radiated tranquility and comfort, and it drew him in right away.
“Hello, I’d like an iced sparkling orange coffee,” Jasper ordered.
“Sure! There are a lot of customers right now. If you’re ordering a mixed drink, you’ll need to wait a bit. Feel free to enjoy the candies on the table in the meantime,” Holly replied.
She was busy preparing shaved ice and didn’t even have time to look up.
The moment Jasper heard that familiar voice, he broke into a cold sweat and froze in place, unable to react for a long time. Though she spoke in Emronian, that crisp, cheerful voice filled with warmth was unmistakable. Jasper knew it had to be Holly.
His heartbeat thundered, and all the noise around him faded. All he could hear was her laughter. He turned to look at the slender figure behind the counter.
After just a few short months, she seemed like a completely different person. Every movement and smile was full of life. She worked energetically and greeted each customer with warmth. It was like she had returned to her teenage self.
How long had it been since he had seen her like this?
Tears welled up in Jasper’s eyes. The overwhelming joy of recovering something once lost made his head spin, and the tears he’d been holding back fell uncontrollably.
Holly noticed the customer still hadn’t responded and figured he might not have a place to sit. So, she dried her hands and got ready to assist him. But the moment she saw Jasper’s face, she froze.
The two of them locked eyes and fell silent..
Jasper looked at her face, which remained calm and unshaken. It was only then that he realized just how special her gaze had once been when she looked at him.
“Holly, I finished class early today! I brought those chicken and onion tacos you’ve been
craving!” Connor pushed the door open with a cheerful voice, carrying a bag of food and a sketch pad on his back,
His timely entrance instantly broke the heavy tension between Holly and Jasper.
