"Curtis, is it what I think, or am I misunderstanding?" Curtis and I had been sitting there, wordlessly, for a long time.
For the first time, I saw a side of him that was weak and helpless. To be honest, it was quite interesting. I'm not a fool.
From the day I got into Curtis's car after the wedding to everything that happened after.
I had noticed the strange behavior.
I just hadn't thought about it in that direction.
Curtis looked up at me, his eyes serious and focused.
As if he had made up his mind.
He said, "Yes, that's right, I like you!" His straightforwardness left me speechless.
I couldn't help but ask, "Why?"
"It's a bit long. You probably don't remember!"
He said, "I went to school in another city for high school. The summer after my college entrance exams, I rushed back here because of a funeral. I wasn't in a good state."
It was his grandfather who passed away.
Because of the entrance exams, everyone hid the news from him, and he couldn't even attend his grandfather's funeral.
He said he was in a terrible state back then, like a mad dog, snapping at anyone who came near.
He fought with his family, his friends, and even strangers.
That day, during a heavy downpour, he ran out of the house and got into a fight with some thugs on the street.
It was a mess, full of anger and injuries, and he was bleeding.
"That day, you took a photo of me, and you gave me an umbrella. You said you'd print the photo for me the next day, but you never came."
The distant memory resurfaced as Curtis spoke.
I remembered that rainy day, the sun shower.
I was walking along a cobblestone alley.
A boy was sitting on the steps, sunlight mixed with rain falling on him, as though he were under a spotlight. I picked up my camera and said, "Little angel, give me a 'thumbs up'!"
"Was that you?"
"Yes."
"Unbelievable, it was really you!"
Such a coincidence made me smile, but then I felt bad about my promise to meet up that day.
"I didn't mean to skip out. That night, Killian had a car accident."
"I know."
"You..."
"I know what you're about to ask!" Curtis smiled, "I haven't liked you for ten years; before, I was just grateful and always thought that one day I'd repay you. I like you now because of the time we've spent together."
"Amya, liking you is not hard!"
Today, Curtis seemed determined to be blunt to the very end.
This made me feel a little dry in the mouth, unsure where to look. Until I noticed Curtis's ears had turned red. It seemed he wasn't as calm as he appeared.
Instantly, I felt steadier. I also shifted the topic.
"So, what about Ariella Neal…"
Curtis, who had been direct until now, suddenly fell silent.
"It's fine, I'm not angry at you."
"I'm not afraid that you're angry."
I sensed the implied meaning in his words. I slowly sat up straight.
"Say it, I can handle it!"
Curtis hesitated for a long time.
I didn't rush him.
I waited for him to speak.
He said, "About half a month ago, I ran into Killian. He was drunk and throwing a tantrum. He said that if it weren't for Ariella Neal, he wouldn't have been with you."
Those drunken words, Curtis listened to them.
So, he used two million and a spot in the elementary school to find Ariella Neal, wanting to understand the reason.
"Ariella Neal didn't tell me, but two days before your wedding, she said she wanted to 'correct' her mistake."
Correct her mistake?
What mistake?
Only Ariella Neal knows.
I called her.
She was out of breath.
"Tell you? No problem! But you'll have to come pick me up. I've had a falling out with Killian, and I'm heading out. This crappy place can't even get me a car."
