Female Novel
Chapter 1755
After delivering his awkward attempt at humor, Abner was at a loss for words. In Shirley's presence,he always seemed to lose his knack for conversation.
Shirley had intended to pass him some food, as she had in the past, but a sudden realizationstopped her cold; things between them had changed too much to go back to the way they oncewere.
Silence descended upon the room.
Maja felt that Ian's kindness wouldn't take long to repay. She touched her belly subconsciously,drawing Ian's attention away from Abner's failed joke. His concern was immediate.
"You okay?"
"Just a bit off. I need some fresh air," she said.
"Let me help you."
Together, they stood and left the private dining room.
Their departure only heightened the awkwardness between Shirley and Abner.novelbin
He poured her another cup of tea, while she observed the long fingers that gracefully handled theteacup.
The first time Shirley had seen Abner, he was lanky and pale, clearly malnourished. It had taken ayear of care to nurse him back to health.
"Abner, why did you take off without a word after final exams? Did my parents give you a hardtime?" she asked.
"No."
His reply came quicker this time, his fingers slowly gripping the cup.
The name "Shirley" became a lump in his throat he couldn't swallow.
Her lips twitched into a reluctant smile as she reached out to ruffle his hair. Only after the gesturedid she realize she was tousling the hair of a 24-year-old man. Embarrassed, she quickly withdrewher hand.
"Sorry about that. Old habits, I guess. My parents were harsh back then, said some pretty meanstuff before I could apologize properly. It took ages to get your contact, and you always seemed sobusy. Whenever I called, it was your assistant who answered. And behind a screen, I can't readyour expressions. You were always hard to read, and I worried that I'd upset you."
As a teenager, Abner had been fiercely independent. Shirley had practically had to teach himeverything by hand when he first arrived from his rural home.
She glanced at his face, concerned she'd upset him by messing up his hair. Just as she was aboutto apologize, he lowered his shoulders and leaned his head in closer. He had a stubborn streak, buthis hair was soft.
Confused, Shirley was about to ask what he was doing when the door swung open.
Ian stood there, spotting Abner leaning in, head close to Shirley's.
"What, you got lice or something?" Ian's brow furrowed in irritation.
Abner's hand, previously dangling at his side, clenched into a fist, his teeth almost grinding.
Ian strode over to his seat, grabbed his forgotten phone, and headed out with a parting shot.
"I haven't settled the bill. Maja's feeling a bit off, so I'm taking her home."
If Shirley wasn't there, Abner would've hurled a bowl at him.
Wasn't it Ian who insisted on treating them? What kind of nonsense was leaving without paying thebill?
Ian didn't want to waste time calling over a waiter. He had the eerie feeling that every secondcounted, as if ghosts were chasing him.
Maja, standing outside for air, watched him hurry down.
"Why the rush? How did things go with Abner and Shirley?"
"Fine. Are you really okay?"
"Yeah, can't you tell I just wanted to give them some space?"
"How could I have known that?"
No wonder he'd lost his wife in the past. When it came to emotions, the guy was clueless.