"NO, YOU'VE got to be kidding me!" Elisabth exclaimed, eyes wide with disbelief.
Nigel laughed, shaking his head. "I'm serious! I swear that shit really happened."
"What the fuck? You actually managed to convince your entire college class that your professor was an undercover agent?" Elisabth's voice was a mix of astonishment and amusement as she leaned forward, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"What? You don't believe me?" He grinned, raising his eye brows mischievously.
"Without getting caught?!"
"What can I say? I've got a knack for it!" Nigel's eyes twinkled with the thrill of recounting the story. He leaned back on the park bench, looking incredibly pleased with himself.
Elisabth rolled her eyes playfully. "You must have been some kind of legend on campus. I bet everyone was either in awe or pissed off."
Nigel shrugged modestly. "Well, it did make me pretty popular for a while. Everyone wanted to know how I pulled it off."
Elisabth laughed, the sound ringing out like music. The late afternoon sun cast a warm, golden glow over the park, creating a serene backdrop for their conversation. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, adding to the picturesque scene.
As they continued their stroll, they passed a small pond where ducks paddled lazily across the water. The park was dotted with benches, some occupied by elderly couples, others by solitary figures lost in thought. The scent of blooming flowers mingled with the fresh, earthy aroma of the trees.
They came upon a picturesque gazebo nestled among a grove of cherry blossom trees, their petals fluttering down like confetti. Nigel led Elisabth to the gazebo, and they sat on the wooden bench inside, enjoying the serene beauty around them.
There was something about the scenery that made her temporarily forget the situation that she was in. She felt calm and free.
"This place feels like it's out of a storybook," she mused. "You know, I have live here in this city for almost a decade now. How come I never know this place?"
"I don't know. I never know you. How come you never know?"
Elisabth gave him a mock glare. "What? Am I supposed to laugh on that?"
Nigel playfully smirked. "Maybe, you just don't come out often! But I still can't blame you, it's one of those hidden gems..." He glanced around the park with a look of fondness. "Not many people know about it unless they stumble upon it by accident. I found it during one of my runs. It does have that fairy tale vibe, doesn't it?"
"Mhm-mm. I guess I've been too caught up in my own world to explore much."
It's true.
Elisabth had always believed that guaranteed success came from giving one hundred percent focus to a particular field. For her, that field was acting. From a young age, she poured herself into her craft, determined to prove her talent and dedication to the world. This path was one she chose despite her mother's dismay, even that she missed out on many things outside the mainstream.
Though it was nice to enjoy this kind of tranquility, every time she thought about acting—her world—she knew she had always belonged there.
All the sacrifices? She regret none of that. In fact, she may be willing to lose more just to be on top. Her burning desire to achieve something seemingly unattainable was something that nobody, not even Vane, could fully comprehend.
"Are you sure I haven't really seen you before?" Oh, Nigel. Why can't you just let go?
She put up an annoyed face, just a mask she appropriately chose. "I told you. I don't think we've ever met before." She even clicked her tongue, making her vexation seems sincere. "And even if we did, you have an annoying face that's hard to forget," she continued. There is just something about lie that comes off natural when you deliver it jestingly sometimes.
Nigel tilted his head, his eyes narrowing playfully. "Ouch, harsh but fair enough," he replied, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I believe you now. No need to hurt my feelings, ma'am."
"But you have to admit, you do also have a face that's hard to forget," he spoke once again.
Elisabth rolled her eyes, unable to suppress a smile. "I'll take that as a compliment." Clearly, you haven't seen Vane yet, she thought.
But as soon as the name entered her mind, she froze, her smile fading. Vane's presence lingered like a shadow over her thoughts, reminding her of the complications waiting back. She glanced at her watch, realizing how late it had gotten.
"I should probably head home," Elisabth said, her voice tinged with reluctance. "It's getting late."
Nigel nodded understandingly, though a hint of disappointment flickered in his eyes. "Of course," he replied, his tone gentle. "I hope you had a good time today."
Elisabth managed a small smile, grateful for his understanding. "I did," she assured him sincerely. "Thank you for showing me this place. It was... unexpected."
"Well, I can take you here some time again. Just give me your number."
"Are you hitting on me?"
Nigel chuckled, shaking his head. "Now, now, Miss Rose," he said with a playful wink. "I'm just being a gracious host, offering to show you around the city's hidden gems. No ulterior motives, I promise."
She squinted her eyes. "You're hitting on me."
Nigel held up his hands in mock defense. "Alright, alright. Can't blame a guy for trying, you know?"
Elisabth smirked, unconvinced but amused by Nigel's persistence. "Fine, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt this time," she teased, standing up from the bench. "But I really should get going now."
Nigel nodded, his playful demeanor softening into sincerity. "Of course. Take care, Elisabth."
As she walked away from the park, her thoughts still on the pleasant afternoon she had just experienced, Elisabth fished out her phone from her pocket, her mood already souring upon seeing multiple missed calls from Vane, the devil himself.
Well, here came back my reality. She really did the right choice silencing her phone, huh?
It only took her seconds to take those words back upon opening Missy's message. Her heart immediately sank.
Missy:
WHY THE HELL R U NOT ANSWERING???
BITCH WER R U??
Missy:
FINE DON'T AMSWER THEN BUT DON'T COME CRYING TO
ME LATER.
I SAW HIS TEAM IN THE HOTEL. I THINK VANE IS UP
TO SOMETHING TONIGHT.
Oh, shit. She shouldn't have silenced her phone.