As the clock ticked away, Dezze's restlessness grew. She managed to complete her tasks, and then headed to Mr. John's office to request an afternoon leave. Initially, Mr. John refused, but Dezze's sorrowful expression tugged at his heartstrings. Her face looked hauntingly forlorn, like a soul beset by grief. Moved by pity, Mr. John relented and granted her the leave.
It's no exaggeration to say that it doesn't take long for one person who has experienced love, like Mr. John, to recognize the emotional state of another lovesick individual.
2:00 pm.
Jesse stepped onto the stage, microphone in hand, and began to speak. "Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in marking this momentous occasion. Today represents a new chapter in the life of our hospital, a day that will usher in a brighter future for our institution.The primary goal of this hospital is to provide patients with a comprehensive range of facilities and services that were previously inaccessible or difficult to obtain. As many of you are aware, this hospital was a long-held dream of my mother's, a vision she sadly wasn't able to bring to fruition. But I stand before you today to make a promise: every aspiration she had will now be realized, because her dream has become my own.
I feel truly fortunate to have each and every one of you by my side on this journey. I sincerely hope you'll continue to support me in the years to come. Thank you." With that, Jesse raised her glass in a toast, draining it in one swift motion as the crowd erupted in cheers.
Standing at a distance, blended into the crowd, Dezze joined in the applause, her hands clapping in unison with the others as they expressed their enthusiastic support for Jesse.
"Here you are."As Dezze sipped her wine, Jesse interrupt her.
Dezze hastily took a sip of wine, and then, with a radiant smile spreading across her face, she greeted Jesse with a warm "Hi."
"How are you?" Jesse asked, her smile genuine and warm. Yet, despite the familiarity they once shared, her expression still held a hint of caution, a subtle reserve she typically reserved for strangers.
"I'm fine, what about you." She made a conscious effort to maintain a formal tone in her words and demeanor. Despite their past connection, Dezze had made no attempt to reach out to Jesse or gather information about her life over the past three years. However, Dezze would occasionally catch glimpses of Jesse's face on the news, and though it would leave her feeling melancholic, she would continue with her daily routine, carrying on with a sense of quiet sadness.
Just as Jesse was about to respond, Manager Sumi intervened, calling out to her to facilitate an introduction to someone else. "Excuse me for a moment, please," Jesse said to Dezze with a polite smile. "I'll be right back. Please, don't go anywhere." With that, she followed Manager Sumi to the other side of the hall, leaving Dezze momentarily alone.
As Jesse stepped away, Dezze continued to wander aimlessly, taking in the scene around her. Everywhere she looked, people were engaged in conversations, their faces hidden behind masks of politeness. Although their attire and mannerisms had evolved over time, their underlying social dynamics remained unchanged. The guest list was a veritable who's who of politicians, actors, and actresses, all mingling together in a display of elegance and refinement. Despite the presence of media personnel, only a select few had been granted access to the exclusive event.As a seasoned detective, Dezze had honed the skill of keeping confidential information about others, often finding herself in situations where she knew more about the people around her than they knew about her. However, amidst the sea of familiar faces at the event, there were a few individuals whose faces she was encountering for the very first time.
As the afternoon seamlessly transitioned into evening, the passage of time went almost unnoticed. The hall had already been bathed in a warm, golden glow, courtesy of the strategically placed lighting. Dezze glanced at her watch, and her eyes narrowed slightly as she realized she had been waiting for Jesse for four long hours. she decided that she had waited long enough, and it was time for her to leave.
The simmering emotions that had been building up inside Dezze finally began to surface, threatening to overflow. In an effort to compose herself and prevent a scene, she swiftly picked up a bottle of wine from the assortment on the table and, with a sense of purpose, walked out of the hall, leaving the festivities behind.
"You invited me yourself, and then you just forgot about me. If you didn't want to talk to me, why did you bother inviting me in the first place? Don't you think I deserve better than to be ignored like this?"
Dezze took a sip from the bottle in her hand, and then continued walking along the road. The wine's effects had yet to take hold, so she proceeded with caution, her high heels clicking against the pavement as she walked with deliberate care.
In a moment of frustration, Dezze exclaimed, "Why did I even wear these?" She slipped off one of her red high heels and tossed it towards the river flowing beside her. As she stood there, she couldn't help but question her own motivations. "Why did I bother getting dressed up?" she wondered aloud. "Who was I trying to impress, anyway?"
Just as Dezze's introspective questioning seemed to be spiraling out of control, a sleek red car suddenly pulled up alongside her, bringing her train of thought to an abrupt halt.
Jesse expertly maneuvered her car into a parking spot along the side of the road, and then quickly jumped out, rushing over to Dezze. Without hesitation, she gently grasped Dezze's hand, her eyes locking onto hers with a deep, searching gaze.
"Why did you leave from there? I was looking for you." Jesse's grip on Dezze's hands was firm, a subtle indication of her own anxiety. She was worried that Dezze might be upset with her, and her eyes betrayed her concern. Dezze, sensing Jesse's apprehension, met her gaze and could clearly read the apology and unease written across her face.
Dezze discreetly turned her face towards the river, attempting to conceal the tears that were welling up in her eyes. She struggled to compose herself, trying to hide the emotional turmoil that Jesse's tardiness and concern had stirred up within her.
Jesse's voice was soft and gentle as she asked, "Why aren't you saying anything? Are you upset with me?" Her tone was laced with a calm, soothing quality, and a hint of tender concern that was impossible to miss.
Dezze's eyes finally met Jesse's, and she asked, "Can I ask you something?" Her gaze was intense, seeking a genuine response. Jesse's reply was immediate, "Yes, ask," but her eyes narrowed slightly, betraying a hint of curiosity and puzzlement about what Dezze might ask.
"As I was on my way back, I couldn't help but wonder: what could possibly be the reason you're still thinking of me after all these years? How much do I truly mean to you? Do you hold me in the same regard, with the same depth of feeling, that I hold you?Do you still think of me with the same all-consuming passion that I feel for you, obsessing over you day and night, unable to shake you from my mind.
Are you still the same person I once knew, or have you changed over time? If you have changed, then what prompted you to invite me to this event, after all these years?" poured out her intense and pent-up emotions.
But this time, Dezze was met with an unsettling silence from Jesse, which reignited her anger. Just as she was about to lash out again, Jesse suddenly closed the distance between them, leaning in to kiss her. However, Dezze was caught off guard and took two swift steps backward, creating space between them.
The silence between them grew even more profound, but Jesse refused to be deterred. Instead, she composed herself and reached out to Dezze, her voice soft and gentle as she asked, "Will you come with me now?"
"Where? To the party?" Dezze's anger dissipated as suddenly as a shooting star. She looked up at Jesse with a childish pout, "But I threw my heels, can't go." she said, scrunching up her face in a playful expression.
"It's okay," Jesse said softly, as she lifting her off the ground without waiting for permission, holding her close in a gentle but firm embrace.
"Put me down, now! What if someone sees us?" Dezze requested.
Jesse ignored Dezze's protests and swiftly opened the car door, gently but firmly placing Dezze in the front seat. She then walked around to the driver's side, got in, and started the engine, pulling away from the curb before Dezze could even process what was happening.
As soon as Jesse led Dezze into her room, she swiftly locked the door behind them, and then, without warning, began kissing Dezze passionately and fervently, her lips moving wildly, intensely, and desperately all over Dezze's face, as if she couldn't get enough of her. But suddenly regained control of herself, and within mere seconds, she abruptly stopped, pulling away from Dezze and breaking the intense kiss.
"Are you hungry? I haven't eaten all day," Jesse said, clutching her stomach, her voice a gentle contrast to the passion that had flared between them just moments before.
Dezze, already bewildered by Jesse's erratic behavior, nodded slowly and replied "yes", her voice laced with confusion as she struggled to keep up with Jesse's rapidly shifting emotions.
"Okay, I'll call room service, please have a seat," Jesse said, gesturing to a chair. But before she could call anyone for room service, Dezze stopped her with a polite request, "I left a bottle of wine in the car, would you mind bringing it up for me?"
"Okay." Jesse decided it would be quicker to retrieve the wine herself rather than calling for assistance, so she stepped out of her room and made her way to the parking area where her car was parked.
As Dezze sat waiting, she began to feel restless and decided to pass the time by watching TV. She flipped through the channels, but to her surprise, every single one seemed to be broadcasting news. As she continued to scan through the various news stations, one particular breaking news story caught her attention, and her eyes froze on the screen.
The TV screen displayed a stunning image that made Dezze's heart skip a beat: Andi's face appeared, but it was unlike any photo she had seen before - Andi was wearing a prison uniform, with the stark label "Prisoner No. 720" emblazoned below. The jarring image was accompanied by a bold, ominous headline that read: "Murder by...?"