I walked to the underground garage of the building and just got to my car when I saw Neil emerging from the shadows in the corner.
Was he waiting for me on purpose?
I quickly opened the car door to get in, but Neil blocked my way. He didn't look too happy, "You avoiding me?"
"Mr. Whitmore, I'm not avoiding you. I just don't think we need to acknowledge each other, or keep in touch,” I answered calmly, giving up on getting in the car.
"Why did you go to Zion Chemical Plant then? Why did you call the police?" Neil's voice was steady, with a firm tone, "You're lying to yourself."
"What's wrong with me calling the police? I just wanted to help out of kindness. Even if the construction site wasn't yours, Whitmore Co., I would still have called the police. I can't stand seeing good, hardworking people bullied by bad guys. Got a problem with that?" I retorted.
A small act of kindness and Whitmore Co. actually took the trouble to investigate. I was surprised.
The lighting in the underground parking lot wasn't very bright. Although Neil and I were standing close, I couldn't quite make out his expression.
After a moment of silence, I pushed Neil away, "Move, I need to get in the car."
Neil stood there like a wall, not budging an inch.
I lost my temper instantly and shouted, "Neil, get out of the way!"
My words, of course, had no effect. Neil not only didn't move but closed my car door again.
I gave him an angry kick, "Neil, what's your problem? It's been two years, why are you still bothering me?"
"Stella said you have a foreign boyfriend. Is that Sean?" Neil seemed to not understand my words, instead began questioning me, "Or did you find one abroad and planning to get another one here?"
I seriously wondered if Neil had gone crazy these past two years, why else would he say such things?
But Stella was indeed a sly one, especially good at "stirring up trouble" for her friends.
"Mr. Whitmore, you have no right, no place to ask me these questions, right?" I snorted, ready to continue speaking when Neil suddenly embraced me.
His strong arms held me tightly, a mix of familiar and strange tobacco smell mixed with a faint fragrance entered my nose, and I was momentarily dazed.
The next second, I came back to my senses, trying hard to push Neil away.
"Get in the car, someone is taking pictures," Neil's deep voice sounded in my ear, "You don't want to be linked with your ex-husband as soon as you return home, do you?"
I loosened my resisting hand, instinctively wanting to turn around and see who was taking pictures, but Neil quickly held my head down.
"Do you want your face captured on purpose?" he sounded exasperated.
I was speechless.
Neil sheltered me with one hand and opened the car door with the other, "Get in."
I quickly got in the car, put on a hat and sunglasses, and was about to close the door and drive away.
Neil grabbed the car door, "You sit in the passenger seat, I'll drive."
"I can drive," I replied impatiently.
"If you don't let me in, then you bear the consequences."
Neil was still as imposing as ever, his threats smooth and natural, "You'll see news of our clandestine meeting in the garage on tomorrow's newspaper, your parents see it, you'll be in trouble."
After a moment of silence, I spoke again, "Neil, I heard Zora came because of you. Many men want to court her, she must be very popular. You should cherish this opportunity, I hope you succeed in love and work, but please don't interfere with my life."
My words made Neil's face darken, but I had to make things clear, "The city we live in is not big, my parents and I live here, so it's not practical for me to move to avoid you. We will definitely cross paths in the future, I hope we can mind our own business, and not interfere with each other."
"I don't know Zora, and I'm not interested in her," Neil unbuckled his seat belt, his tone cold, "You don't need to link me with her."
"Oh, then I wish you find your true love elsewhere." I also unbuckled my seat belt, ready to switch to the driver's seat.
Neil didn't say a word, his face was dark. He got out of the car, his back exuding a chill. Apparently, he didn't like what I said.
If I'm not fond of him, I don't want any unnecessary contact with him.
After Neil took off, I took a look at that villa where I lived for five years.
The lights streaming out of the beautiful windows made it look stunning in the night.
Whenever I thought about sitting alone by the door, waiting for Neil, I felt sorry for my past self, waiting every day for someone who didn't love me to love me.
I didn't stick around, got in my car and headed home.
On the way home, I was waiting for the green light at an intersection, when I spotted a person walking by the street.
She was wearing a black skirt, with short hair up to her ears, and then she disappeared around a corner.
My eyes were still following that figure, but the cars behind started honking, I checked the green light, and had to move on.
If my eyes didn't deceive me, that woman in the black skirt was Kate. Wasn't she supposed to have left Rosemont with Bonnie? What's she doing here?
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