Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2634

The silence was profound. Sylvia, feeling the need to say something, searched for a topic. “Jenny’s really sweet, isn’t she? Having someone so cheerful on a team must make the work environment so much better. It’s like my assistant, Milanda. She’s a chatterbox, but on the days she’s not around, things feel off.”

The man was a man of few words. “Mm.”

That single syllable effectively killed the conversation.

Just as Sylvia was about to resign herself to silence, Gabriel spoke. “I don’t have much going on these next two days. Do you want to come back with me to see my grandfather?”

Sylvia froze for a moment. “Is Old Mr. Jarvis doing well?” she asked softly.

“He’s fine.”

She looked down. “When I left C-City after the holidays, I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to him.”

“Grandfather wasn’t upset with you,” Gabriel said.

Sylvia shook her head gently. “Looking back now, I was being a little selfish. He was so good to me. I should have gone to see him in person before I left.”

“That day,” Gabriel’s voice was hoarse, “was my fault.”

Sylvia offered a faint smile. “You had things you had to do. I understand.”

He stopped and looked at her directly. “So, will you come back with me now?”

Sylvia hesitated. Without saying a word, she started walking again.

What would she even say to Old Mr. Jarvis? The thing she needed to return was not with her.

Her silence was an answer in itself. The man lowered his eyes, hiding the flicker of disappointment.

They walked on without speaking, the air between them growing heavy and cold.

Up ahead, a bench sat under a streetlight. Sylvia turned to him. “Want to take a break?”

It was already dark; a little more time wouldn’t make a difference.

“Don’t worry, I’m not a creep,” the man insisted. “My girlfriend and I are just heading back into town. If it’s on our way, we can drop you off.”

The girl in the passenger seat laughed and turned to her boyfriend. “Stop trying to be a hero. This is a romantic thing between them. You’re a guy; you wouldn’t get it.”

“That’s not—” Sylvia started to say, but being on Gabriel’s back made any denial feel flimsy.

The girl waved at them. “Well, we’ll be on our way then!”

Sylvia could only manage a small wave back. “Goodbye.”

The car drove off, its engine noise fading into the distance.

Gabriel adjusted his grip on her legs, hoisting her up a little higher, and continued walking.

Before, being carried by him had felt natural. But after the girl’s comment, the atmosphere had become strangely charged. Sylvia felt an urgent need to say something.