The room smelled of delicious food. The table was filled with dishes that looked, smelled, and tasted perfect.
When Alastair was young, his mother was always busy, and she hired a lot of servants to take care of him. But Alastair didn't like it.
By the time he was in his teens, and tall enough to reach the stove, he could already cook meals that were just as exquisite as a five-star Michelin chef's. It seemed that whatever he did, he did it well.
He topped the class in academics, excelled in sports, and even cooking was something he mastered effortlessly. My parents were initially concerned about him being alone at such a young age, but eventually, they couldn't stop me from going over to Alastair's house for meals. After graduating high school, I hadn't tasted Alastair's cooking again.
That was until recently, when he moved in without warning, shamelessly occupying my kitchen and cooking me a full meal of my favorite dishes. It should have been a pleasant dinner... if Kade hadn't shown up. Alastair noticed my unease. "What's wrong?"
"Kade came back."
I spoke softly.
The atmosphere froze for a few seconds, and Alastair casually ladled some soup, "Oh."
"Aren't you curious about what he said to me?" For some reason, Alastair didn't answer.
I closed my eyes. "Alastair, did you have anything to do with Kade going to Z City?" It wasn't just Z City; I had never blocked Kade's contact.
On the night Kade came, the only person who had handled my phone for an extended period was Alastair. Only he could have done it.
"Yes."
There was barely any hesitation before Alastair answered.
Confusion, frustration, anger, surprise… they all hit me in waves, and finally, all I could say was three words: "Why?"
"Paisley, you already know the answer."
Alastair's tone held a hint of something I couldn't quite place—something akin to hurt, as if I had asked a question that pained him deeply.
"Because I like you, and I don't want to give Kade or anyone else a chance." At this point, his answer didn't surprise me.
"But..."
"Alastair, others are one thing, but—"
"You know full well what I can't stand."
I loathe being schemed against, especially when it's by someone so close. The closer they are, the less forgivable it becomes. Alistair Langley obviously knew this.
His hand, hanging by his side, quietly balled into a fist. His voice was hoarse and tight: "So, are you breaking up with me?" Breaking up?
Between the two of us, it had always been inexplicable, even from the start. It didn't even count as a proper relationship. I struggled to lift the corner of my mouth, "Do you think what we had counts as being together?" The room was so silent you could hear a pin drop.
Alistair had no response.
I stood up to leave, and behind me, Alistair's voice came: "Are you going to see him?" He was referring to Kade.
"Mm."
After all, I had promised to give Kade an explanation. We had arranged to meet at a café. He flashed me a smile, "Paisley, have you figured everything out?"
"Mm."
I nodded, my fingers intertwined. "Kade, on behalf of Alistair, I apologize to you. Please name your condition. Consider it compensation from me."
"Paisley."
Kade's smile faltered, "…Are you standing on his side?"
The vein on his forehead bulged, "What about me? What about us?"
I lowered my gaze, avoiding his eyes, "Now that it's come to this, I'll do my best to make it up to you."
"I understand."
Kade's lips curled into a bitter smile, "Paisley, I just want to ask you… did you ever like me?"
Did I ever like Kade?
The answer was obvious, but the place "liking" held in my life was so small.
So small that it would fade with the wind in no time.
I never lingered for anyone who had left.
Moreover, there were too many contradictions between Kade and me. Even without Alistair getting in the way, it would have been hard to last. Seeing my silence, Kade self-mockingly said, "Paisley, you have no heart. It's laughable that I thought I was different to you."
"There's nothing different."
I smiled indifferently, "Kade, if you're with me, there are no new projects, no bridges to cross, no countless doors opening to you."
"You wouldn't be the one knocking at my door, begging me to take a look at you."
His face turned ashen.
I changed the subject, "About the new project in S City, you've been wanting to take it on, right? I've spoken to them, someone will contact you soon."
"By the way, I know you hold a grudge against Alistair, but stay away from him, and don't cause trouble for him." It was both a reminder and a warning.
Kade: "What if I want to?"
"Don't be foolish."
I shook my head, "Is everything from the investigation just a fabrication of Alistair's? If you're sure, I won't stop you from doing whatever you want."
The café remained quiet for a long while, with no response.
