Brian sat motionlessly. His eyes were fixed on Wing and Weston as they hit the last note of their musical piece.
It's as if the rise and fall of the notes hypnotized Brian.
The music transported him to another place and made his deep, dark eyes filled with emotion. His consciousness seemed to drift into somewhere tense, unpleasant, and uneasy.
"Brian?" A frown creased Becky's face as she noted the tension around him. With a hint of disappointment, she asked, "What's the matter?"
Her voice snapped Brian out of the trance-like state, and he turned to look at Becky. But instead of seeing her delicate, luminous face, his eyes took on a look that was a mixture of fear and indifference, like he was staring into a deep, dark void.
"I need to get out for a while," he said apologetically. After hesitating briefly, he rose from his seat and told Becky, "You wait here."
His words stung. But before she could get up, Brian had risen and strode off. A chill crept up her spine at being embarrassed publicly. Bewildered, Becky remained rigid on the edge of her seat for a few moments, before sitting back in her chair. She felt numb as she watched Brian walk away. Then her initial reaction was replaced by resentment and irritation. She couldn't help but clench her fists tightly at the thought of being left behind by herself, which was wrong and disconcerting.
Shutting her eyes for a moment, Becky took slow, deep breaths while holding a hand against her chest to calm her down. The incident just fueled her determination, and she vowed to be as strong and persistent as ever. In her head, she kept saying, 'Becky, you will not be defeated. You will never be defeated. Just stay with him. Be there for him as you've always been. One day, he will eventually come to you. His heart may be cold and icy now, but if you continue to hold it, one day it will warm up. You only have to remember that Brian is yours. While he may have given his heart to that girl four years ago, don't dwell on it. You must bear this one thing in mind. That is, in Brian's heart, an exclusive place that belongs only to you. One day, you will regain his heart!' she gritted her teeth in resolution.
After slipping out of the concert hall, Brian did not slow down his pace. He walked straight out, with Tony right behind him. The driver had no idea where his boss was going. After exiting the Golden Hall, Tony suddenly remembered Brian's present for Wing. And while the gift was not handed out at the right moment, he knew how much it meant to Brian to give her one.
With Brian stuck in training at Hell Forest, he was not able to come to the wedding of Wing and Weston. Mr. Long ended up making arrangements for the affair and hosted the event. He understood that Brian would not want to delay the wedding on account of his absence although it was a pity that he could not be there for his sister's wedding.
He headed to the parking lot. His pace was quick and steady, his eyes without any emotion. Since his return from Hell Forest, this had been his attitude. He was emotionless and cold as a robot. He was a broken man. The girl he loved, the first woman he had an affection for, had forsaken him. At first, he appeared to be collected, denying all his emotions, and shutting everyone out. But the pain became too unbearable, so he finally collapsed. Brian felt as if he was drowning in a bottomless swamp, and the more he struggled, the more he sunk. It was uncanny that as the days went by, Brian began to feel a sense of joy along with the pain he was carrying. And he felt strong and alive with this incredible and unearthly sense of satisfaction. Pain and joy were like the two poles of a magnet. It was during these three hard years in Hell Forest when Brian finally realized that loving Molly would be the tragedy of his lifetime.
A mocking smile crossed his lips as Brian walked towards the parking lot while lost in thought. He didn't notice a dark blue vehicle slowly pass him by as it headed to another section of the parking lot.
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