Still You Still Me Still Falling novel Chapter 43

The joy on her face was completely genuine. "Cecil, you..."

Cecil lifted his chin slightly. "Let's sit down."

They took their seats, though Sheila was still reeling. "I never thought I'd run into you here. It's been so many years... How have you been?"

She didn't really need to ask. The sheer aura of power surrounding him, the luxury watch on his wrist, and the custom cufflinks on his shirt were enough to prove that he was now incredibly wealthy and influential.

And Sheila was genuinely thrilled for him.

Because the Cecil she used to know... had lived such an incredibly hard life.

"I get by." Cecil's mesmerizing eyes curved into a warm smile. "When I heard the name Sheila, I thought it was just a coincidence. I didn't expect it to actually be you. What was the deal with that piece of trash? Was he harassing you?"

Cecil used to be quiet and reserved, but now his words were razor-sharp and unapologetic.

Yet, to Sheila, he still felt just as familiar.

She smiled softly. "It's fine. I turned him down. Let's not talk about him. Have you been living abroad all these years?"

"No, just here on business." Cecil pulled out his phone and tossed it onto the table. "Give me all your contact info."

Sheila quickly took out her phone, reciting her number before they added each other on their social apps.

Once that was done, Cecil asked, "How is Adah doing?"

Sheila's expression froze.

She lowered her eyes. "The second year after you left, my mom... was in a car accident. She passed away."

Cecil's jaw tightened, his lips pressing into a thin line.

After a long moment, he stood up and opened his arms. "Come here. Let me give you a hug."

When they were younger, even though Cecil rarely spoke, he had always fiercely protected her.

Once, when a group of boys wouldn't leave Sheila alone, he had gotten into a brutal fistfight with them.

He had looked a mess that day, but he had smiled at her and promised that as long as he was around, no one would ever bully her.

Who exactly was this woman?

Sure, she was stunningly beautiful.

But in their boss's eyes, even the most beautiful women were nothing more than empty shells.

He had never possessed a single ounce of gentlemanly chivalry.

The stories of him violently throwing out women who had tried to climb into his bed were still legendary in their circles.

But Sheila had no idea that Cecil was no longer the cautious, silent boy she had once known.

To her, he was still the same fiercely protective friend who had always looked out for her.

Through their conversation, Cecil quickly got up to speed on her current life.

"So that garbage back there is funding your project?" Cecil scoffed. "That's an easy fix. If my favorite girl is running a project, I'm the one who's going to fund it. We don't need his dirty money!"

Sheila smiled. "Thanks for having my back, Cecil. But I really don't think he'll dare bother me again after today."