"Your house is almost here. Rest well, the new script will be sent to your email later," Basil turned his head and saw the woman covering her left face with her good left hand, not even looking at him, just staring out the window.
From her reflection in the car window, he could see her calm expression. Good, she wasn't planning to kill him to silence him because of the morning's incident. He felt half relieved.
"Cici, see you tomorrow." He looked out the car window and saw Cierra's eyebrows raise slightly at the nickname "Cici," as if wondering why he was calling her that, but she showed no discomfort. He felt fully relieved.
After safely sending Cierra home, Basil returned home, took a shower, and freshened up before checking his phone. Seeing more than twenty missed calls from Lettie, he felt puzzled and called back.
"Basil, you didn't answer my calls yesterday. Did something happen? I was so worried," Basil's voice sounded like it came from a distant time and space, making Basil feel a bit hazy and unfamiliar.
"Nothing, I was chatting too late at Darnell's place and got delayed."
"Can you come out this evening? I want to talk to you about the script, and remember I promised to treat you to dinner. Do you remember?" Despite the invitation from his once goddess, Basil didn't know why he hesitated.
He paused for a moment before continuing, "Sure, just let me know the time and place."
When did his goddess lose her significance in his heart compared to before?
★
The dinner date was nearing its end. Since he had drunk too much the previous night, Basil refrained from drinking tonight, keeping his mind clear.
Today, Lettie wore a high-waisted white dress. The delicate cinching at the waist made her impressive bust appear even fuller, and the embroidered hem fluttered gracefully with her movements. Anyone who saw her would have to admit she was strikingly elegant.
"Basil," Lettie pulled the chair closest to Basil and sat down, "I think I drank too much and feel a bit dizzy. Can I lean on you for a bit?" Without waiting for his consent, she rested her head on his shoulder, snuggling up to him.
"Are you drunk? Should I take you home?" Basil, out of politeness, did not move away, but once again deeply realized that things could never go back to the way they were.
"Basil, I don't want to go back so early. Can you stay with me a bit longer?"
Lettie didn't give up. In addition to leaning her head on Basil, she held his hand tightly. "I have nothing to do tonight. I've been having insomnia lately. How about we go to my place? I have the latest DVDs and some treasured red wine. We could watch a movie and chat all night, like we haven't had the chance to since high school. How about it?" She pouted cutely, shaking Basil's hand.
But no matter how much Lettie tried to charm him, Basil didn't seem to be moved at all.
"Let's not. This wouldn't be good for your reputation," he sighed lightly. "Besides, during filming, it's not good for a director and actor to be too close—"
"Then why did Cierra go to your place? Basil, do you like her? Do you like her more than me?"
Lettie, who had been acting coy, suddenly looked sorrowful, her eyes misty with tears. Basil's heart softened. High school memories began to flood his thoughts, overlapping each other. The only constant was the image of a long-haired girl in a black skirt and white shirt, always standing gracefully. Despite the passage of time, she still lingered in his heart.
"Basil, I love you!" Basil caught Basil's moment of distraction and took the opportunity to cling tightly to him, "I love you—"
Love that is too easily spoken seems cheap—Basil suddenly remembered, as if struck by a blow, and stood stunned for a long time before coming back to his senses.
Was he being held captive by memories again?
In the end, he only escorted Lettie to her doorstep.
"Basil, won't you come in for a bit?" Basil still hadn't given up.
Basil shook his head and declined, "It's a bit too late. We have to shoot early tomorrow, okay?" Since their reunion, he had always maintained a gentlemanly demeanor in front of Lettie, never crossing any boundaries.
"Alright then, goodnight," Lettie tiptoed and left a kiss on Basil's right cheek, smiling warmly and saying with deep affection, "Don't forget what I said tonight. I am sincere about you!"
