Chapter 241
I turned around to continue walking again. I saw a person less than ten steps ahead who had
a small smile on his face.
He was wearing dark–colored attire, standing tall and upright. His bright eyes twinkled like stars, and the smile on his lips was faint yet charming.
Having not seen him for several days, with no phone calls or replies to my messages, I thought our paths had diverged for good. Yet, here he was, suddenly appearing before me.
As our eyes met, we had lost the frankness and tacit understanding that had existed before due to my grievances and doubts and his scrutiny and probing. We had become worlds apart.
The person
who had occupied my thoughts for days suddenly stood before me, bringing more heaviness than surprise. I was overwhelmed with emotions.
What had caused such a distance between Colin and me?
It had only been a few days.
He had brought me the tastiest candies just three days ago!
Just three days had passed, but my feelings had shifted dramatically.
I stopped in my tracks, uncertain whether to casually call out a greeting and walk past him. or seize the opportunity to demand an explanation.
He stepped toward me as a’cool, subtle fragrance wafted in the air. His deep voice was as stirring as a cello as he said, “You sang well, and your guitar playing was great. It was really impressive.”
He complimented me with a smile, his eyes seemingly shining.
I saw my reflection with long flowing hair and a gentle smile in those bright eyes.
A part of me wanted to leap toward him, grab his hand, and share everything I had
experienced during his absence. But then, his recent post on social media flashed through my mind.
It was a photo of two hands clasped tightly together. There was also the other photo of him. looking at the woman next to him with deep affection.
It was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over me.
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The joy from the performance’s success, the pleasure I wanted to share with him, and even the surprise of seeing him vanished instantly.
I suddenly became calm.
Colin had found someone he could give his affection to. I should keep my distance from him just like I was doing with Felix, shouldn’t I?
His appearance on my way back to the apartment must have been coincidental. Colin had found someone he loved. He surely wouldn’t have come to see me deliberately. He was a man with a strong sense of responsibility and would never act in a way that might lead to misunderstandings.
My emotions plummeted further.
It was too dark for him to notice the sudden change in my mood. He lifted his hand with the intention of ruffling my hair.
I didn’t know where I summoned the courage and strength, but I pushed his hand away and took a few steps back. His cool fragrance faded away immediately.
His hand froze mid–air, and the smile on his face solidified like ice. The stars in his eyes were extinguished, and a heavy darkness surged.
With a snap, I was brought back to my senses. I finally realized what I had done.
Even if Colin had wronged me in some way, he was still like a brother to me. Over the years, he had cared for me with the utmost attention. I should show him respect despite everything.
The act of pushing away his hand seemed very heartless.
Avoiding his gaze, I awkwardly lowered my head and kicked at non–existent pebbles with the tip of my shoe. I managed to force a smile. “Thank you, Colin. I have to go paint now, so I’ll head back.”
As soon as the words left my mouth, I ran past him for several dozen yards.
It was just three days after our last meeting, but I had fled in a cowardly manner. The strong desire for an explanation which was so intense before dissipated upon seeing him.
I felt so useless.
I couldn’t see his expression as I ran away. But when I heard him call my name with a hint of irritation from behind, I involuntarily stopped in my tracks.