Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 39

Oscar's at work, so he can't drink too much. I didn't force him, just chatting with him.

He said, "Irene, I still have eight hundred dollars left from the two thousand dollars you lent me last time.. Let me pay you back that first. I'll gradually earn the remaining $1,200 and return it to you. I'll start my internship next semester. Once I land a good company, I should be able to save up fast."

"You're starting an internship?" I asked, surprised.

"Yeah. I'm graduating next June. Bonnie will also be in her senior year," Oscar sighed. "Time sure flies."

I fell silent. It felt like just yesterday when I bumped into Neil in school, but now I'm already nearly thirty.

Just then, three guys walked up to us. I spotted Russel right away. What are he, Mitch and Cooper doing in this bar?

I was speechless at this coincidence.

"Oscar, you should get back to work," I hastily said to Oscar.

"Okay, Irene. Call me anytime if you need me," Oscar got up and left.

Russel's gaze followed Oscar as he left. After a while, he turned his attention back to me.

Mitch didn't know how to address me when he saw me. Him and Cooper exchanged glances.

They don't know Oscar, so they probably thought I was ordering drinks from a waiter.

Russel took a seat beside me. His long legs were casually crossed, his eyes keenly focused on me.

"Russel, let's sit over there?" Mitch seemed a bit uneasy. He didn't dare to sit with me, given that he was Neil's wingman in courting other women.

"You guys go ahead. I'll join you in a bit," Russel responded nonchalantly.

"Alright." Mitch and Cooper quickly picked a spot farthest from me.

I found it amusing. Did they think I would do something outrageous to them?

"Another coincidence?" Russel broke the silence. I knew he was referring to me sitting with Oscar just now.

"Indeed, quite a coincidence," I didn't lie.

"Where's Neil?" Russel looked around, "Didn't you leave with him?"

I shrugged, "I happened to see him and his new flame at the hotel, felt a bit down, so I got off his car to get a drink. Then I bumped into her boyfriend here. Now isn't that a coincidence?"

Russel's eyes flickered, "That girl Bonnie is at the Orchid Hotel?"

I flashed a standard smile, "Yes. Are you interested in her?"

"Heh," Russel scoffed, "I'm not interested in her. You're overthinking."

I wondered when he would finally show interest in her. I was growing impatient.

But I did have something to discuss with Russel. I got him a drink, thinking about how to start, "Russel, could you not tell anyone, especially Neil, that I know Bonnie and Oscar?"

I forgot to remind him seriously last time. Neil's call last night really got me on edge.

I collapsed onto the seat. My head was spinning.

I thought Russel would ignore me. But he came back after a minute, grabbed my arm, helped me up and walked towards the exit.

Unfortunately, my blurry eyes couldn't see Mitch and the others' reaction. I guess they must've reacted the same way as Stella when she saw me getting off Neil's car.

"Russel... I gotta tell you..." In the car, images from my past life flashed through my mind as I mumbled, "Bonnie ain't all that. There are outstanding women everywhere, why are you so fixated on her? Look at me! I've moved on..."

These were the words I wanted to tell him on my deathbed in my past life. It's not worth it for Bonnie.

He's not Neil. He's always been a pure and innocent man. He shouldn't have ended up like that because of an ordinary woman. What's more, he lost to Neil.

Russel glanced at me, his eyes a myriad of emotions, while I dozed off mid-sentence.

Unexpectedly, Russel didn't drop me back at Sterling Estates. Instead, he took me to a hotel and got me my own room. I didn't discover this until I woke up the next day.

I found a WhatsApp friend request from Russel on my phone. We had been communicating by calls before this.

With a slight headache, I hit "accept" with one hand.

Russel said, “When you wake up, make an appointment at the cardiology department of the hospital. Choose me as your attending physician.”

I was puzzled, then it hit me. Was he agreeing to cover for me with Neil? And was he planning to do it so flawlessly?

I immediately replied, “Got it. I'm on my way!”