After a week in the hospital, Linda was finally discharged. Mikayla drove to the hospital after work to pick her up.
Seeing Mikayla alone, Linda asked, "Hey, where's your husband?"
"He's attending a business banquet."
"That's rare. He's usually glued to your side."
Mikayla's face turned red instantly. "Do you ever stop talking?"
A familiar figure entered the room. Cassius, wearing a light blue shirt and black casual pants with half-frame glasses, knocked on the door. "Hey, Miss Goodman is being discharged today. I'm off work now. How about we have dinner together?"
He smiled lightly, a bit mischievously. "Just an old classmates' gathering. Mikayla, you're not scared, are you?"
Mikayla glared at him. "Fine, let's eat! Who's scared?"
Mikayla grabbed Linda's hand and walked ahead. Cassius followed behind, silently laughing. He still knew her so well.
The setting sun painted the sky as it slowly descended. Cassius chose a nearby home-style restaurant and ordered light dishes.
Linda looked at the food and sighed, "My stomach is going to die of boredom of plain food."
Mikayla, however, ate happily, as Cassius had ordered all her favorite dishes.
"Don't you ever get tired of barbecue ribs?" he asked, watching her stuff her mouth like a little hamster.
Mikayla angrily put down her fork, and after a while, retorted, "Do you ever get tired of liking someone for so long?"
Linda froze with a spoonful of soup halfway to her mouth as the two of them stared daggers at each other, isolating themselves from the surrounding noise and chatter.
"Mikayla, I had my reasons for leaving back then."
Linda, halfway through her sentence, said, "Do you know how long she waited for you…" but Mikayla cut her off. "Cassius, if you're here to reconcile, forget it. I don't like the 'Rekindle the relationship' drama."
Cassius's brows furrowed, "Do you really have to be so absolute?"
His eyes filled with guilt, and his expression became downcast. "Leaving without a word was my fault. I didn't say a proper goodbye, and I know you hate me."
"Can we start over as friends? Mikayla…"
Mikayla looked at him, standing there like a drenched puppy, reminding herself countless times that she should show him how well she was doing without him. The world didn't stop turning because he left. But as memories replayed in her mind, the wall she had built in her heart crumbled in his presence, and she couldn't find the words to refuse him.
In the end, Mikayla reluctantly unblocked Cassius.
After dinner, they parted ways. Cassius sat alone by the car window, lighting a cigarette. The smoke intertwined with his thoughts.
The Oneill family had always been a family of doctors. His brother, Marcus, had rebelled against their parents by insisting on studying finance at A University. Cassius and Mikayla had planned to apply to A University together, but things didn't go as planned.
"Why does my brother get to follow his own path, and I have to listen to you?" the young Cassius's angry shouts echoed in the large house.
Mr. Oneill, losing his patience, slammed his cup on the table. "We've arranged for you to go abroad. You have no say in this!"
"Going abroad will help you calm down. You cause chaos at home every day, and now you're having a relationship behind our backs. Can you take responsibility for the girl?"
Cassius, red with anger, retorted, "Didn't my brother also have a relationship? You never liked me from the start!"
"Can the you be compare to your brother?" "Is his personality as unconventional as yours?" "You're the last person I would expect to give me peace of mind!"
Mr. Oneill was right. Cassius's rebellious nature was inherited from him, while his brother's temperament was more like their mother's, calm and steady.
"I don't care! I'm not going abroad! If you want to study, do it yourself!"
Cassius's words only fueled the fire. Mr. Oneil threw the teacup to the ground, shattering it. The room fell into a tense silence.
Mr. Oneil sighed helplessly, "Alright, Cassius. Listen to us this time and study abroad…"
His voice took on a tearful tone, shouting, "Why do I have to listen to you for everything? Do I have to live according to your expectations?"
Stubborn parents often believe they are providing their children with the best love by planning their lives meticulously, but no one asked Cassius if he wanted to follow such a path.
Cassius's biggest fear was being separated from Mikayla. One hot afternoon, Mikayla was engrossed in the college application guide when Cassius poked her with a pen.
"Huh?" "What if we don't end up in the same city?"
Mikayla looked at him, puzzled, "We'll break up."
"What? You're so heartless!" Cassius panicked.
He fiddled with Mikayla's high ponytail, and she scolded him, "What if you cheat on me? I can't control you!"
Cassius desperately wanted to prove himself, "Do you think I'm that kind of person? I'm genuinely in love with you!"
"Sweet talker." Mikayla turned away, not wanting to look at him.
He leaned closer, acting like a spoiled child, his soft black hair brushing against her neck, making her feel ticklish. "You don't like long-distance relationships?"
"I just don't like being so far apart." Sadness flashed in her eyes.
At that time, Cassius had no way to defy his parents' plans. The inevitable conflict between him and Mikayla exploded, and neither was willing to back down. They parted on bad terms.
Cassius left without a word. When Mikayla wanted to have a proper talk, she found he was already gone. Their love ended abruptly that summer.
Cassius couldn't remember when he started smoking, perhaps on one of those nights when he missed her terribly. Nicotine offered him some comfort, unlike the drunken stupor that left him empty.
This time, there would be no obstacles between them. He was determined to bring Mikayla back into his life.
