She tried hard to stop crying, but neither her memories with him nor her tears ceased their relentless flow. She had never imagined that two of the most precious people in her life could inflict wounds so deep that they would never fully heal. This pain would haunt her every day, in her present and her future.
The pain, a constant companion, would haunt her days and shadow her nights, a cruel reminder of shattered trust and fractured dreams. She refused to be consumed by bitterness or consumed by the darkness that threatened to engulf her.
Despite the agony, she knew she had to summon strength to face them both, for she refused to stoop to their level. Even though they had betrayed her, with each step forward, she whispered words of solace to her wounded soul, seeking comfort in the belief that perhaps, amidst the chaos of their tangled emotions, there existed a love too profound to be contained. she held onto respect for their emotions, seeking to understand why they had done what they did. Perhaps, she consoled herself, they were unable to control their feelings, caught in the tangled web of love and desire.
Deep down, she understood that matters of the heart were beyond anyone's control.
A sudden blast of a horn shattered her thoughts, and she rose from where she had fallen, memories of happier days now clouded with sorrow. Without a word, she fled to her car, leaving them both behind, burdened with guilt.
At The Same Time Far from …
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the departure terminal, Maria's voice cut through the air with a reassuring tone. "We are on the way, and we must catch our flight on time. No need to worry, boss."
Her words, delivered with a gentle confidence, sparked a glimmer of joy in Robert's eyes—a sight Maria hadn't witnessed in far too long. For years, she had watched her boss become a shadow of his former self, his once vibrant spirit dulled by the weight of his responsibilities. But in this fleeting moment, she glimpsed a flicker of the man he used to be, and it warmed her heart.
During the chaos, Maria could sense her boss's happiness, a subtle shift in the atmosphere that filled her with hope. She understood the significance of this moment—the first step towards reclaiming the happiness that had eluded him for so long.
As they made their way through the terminal, Maria couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the opportunity to witness her boss's smile once more. It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless—one that filled her with renewed determination to support him on this journey back to himself.
"Come out, the boss is already out," the car driver said to Maria, his words drawing her back to the present moment.
"Maria, you should take a rest from work because I can see you're often lost in your fairyland dreams," Robert's voice cut through the air, his tone cold and detached as he observed her stepping out of the car.
"Sorry, boss," she murmured, her words tinged with a hint of resignation. It was a familiar refrain, spoken with the understanding that her apologies often went unnoticed in the vast expanse of his world.
"Now, make it fast," her boss replied, his tone returning to its usual coldness, without acknowledging her apology. It was nothing new for her to receive little attention from him, especially after offering apologies for any mistakes she made.
Undeterred by the lack of acknowledgment, Maria hurried through the final formalities, her movements precise and efficient. With practiced ease, she settled into her seat beside Robert, the familiar hum of the aircraft providing a soothing backdrop to their journey.
As the plane taxied down the runway and lifted into the sky, Maria stole a glance at her boss, his expression stoic and unreadable. As they soared through the clouds, Robert's whispered words drifted through the cabin, barely audible above the hum of the engines. "I can't wait to see you after three years," he murmured, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.
Robert remembered some memories where he was with Helix, Hazel, and his best friend, who was more than family to him; he seemed like Robert's entire world.
"I told you to take care of her, you idiot," the man said to Robert with loud laughter.
Robert's eyes turned moist as he recalled those words and the speaker also the bond they shared.
"I'm sorry, I can't keep your promise," Robert said, still gazing out the window with moist eyes.
Hearing the murmurs of his boss, Maria, who was sleeping beside him, woke up and said softly, "Boss, what happened?"
"Enough, Maria, and put an end to the horse racing," he said, giving her a narrow-eyed look.
"Okay, boss," she replied, grumbling to herself, 'Why am I even becoming a detective? Stop it, Maria, or you'll soon be replaced by another assistant.' She closed her eyes once again, ready to drift into thoughts of her bright future with Shen Li( her childhood friend and assistant to Mrs. Anderson).
However, due to the cold war between her boss and Mrs. Anderson, She and Shen Li never exchanged words and usually avoided each other as if they were strangers.
In the shadows of the Highlight apartment parking area.....
After the departure of Helix, Alex guides Hazel, leading her by the shoulder.
"Come, let's go inside first," Alex says, taking Hazel's hand and pulling her along with him.
They enter the lift, holding hands. Hazel's eyes are swollen from crying continuously. She doesn't say anything to him and obediently follows him without questioning. When they reach the fifteenth floor and step out of the elevator, just before Alex opens the door to her apartment, Hazel suddenly screams, "No! No! No!"
Her sudden outburst surprises Alex. Just moments ago, she was compliantly following him and allowing him to lead, but now something seems to have changed in her.