Dinner ended, and the score was clear.
The sautéed onions were untouched, the deluxe instant noodles had half a pot left, but the four-course meal and soup were completely finished. The director announced Team A's victory, granting them priority in choosing rooms. Alastair raised his hand, and I cautiously high-fived him. But instead of letting go, he held onto my hand and pulled me inside.
This seaside villa had three floors. Alastair and I picked the third floor, where we could open the curtains and enjoy the ocean view.
The "Team B" chose the second floor.
The "Team C" had to settle for the first-floor maid's room.
I brought my luggage into the room and was just unpacking when there was a knock at the door. I opened it and frowned as I looked at the person standing there.
"Is there something you need?"
Pranav's tone was gentle, "Alanna, we're married. I'm not comfortable with you staying on the third floor with another man."
"You go downstairs and stay on the first floor with me. Let Essence move to the third floor."
I rolled my eyes in silence, "Pranav, don't fabricate things. Our wedding was called off, and we never even registered for a marriage. We're not a couple."
Essence looked pitiful, "Alanna, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to complain about the maid's room to Pranav. I just wanted to leave behind good memories from our final variety show."
I nodded dismissively, "Alright, I forgive you."
Essence froze.
The live chat exploded: "Essence has a terminal illness, how can she stay in the maid's room?"
"What's wrong with the maid's room? It's just a bit smaller and doesn't have a sea view, but it's ten times better than the crappy place I'm staying in."
Pranav's face darkened, "You're her sister. Can't you give it to her?"
I replied, "Sorry, but I can't give it up."
Seeing that I wouldn't budge, Pranav's expression turned cold, "Alanna, there's a limit to being willful. Be careful, or I'll stop talking to you."
Suddenly, the door to the next room opened, and Alastair leaned against the doorframe, a smile on his face, but with an icy, indifferent edge.
"Essence, didn't you only have six months left to live? I think a cremation urn would suit you better. I'll buy a luxurious diamond-encrusted one for you, how about that?" Essence clenched her fists, "You...!"
The live chat went wild: "Hahaha."
"Alastair's words are so sharp, I can't handle it, I'm about to laugh myself into a fit." Alastair walked past the two of them and came over to me, raising the red wine in his hand.
"Alanna, I brought a bottle of good wine. Want to drink with me?"
"No need, you drink it yourself." I quickly slammed the door shut. The last time I drank, my heart skipped a beat.
Emotionally, I should be responsible, but reason told me not to get too carried away.
If I can't even hold onto a fiancé, how am I supposed to keep such an outstanding man?
Looking at the distant waves, my thoughts drifted back to high school.
Alastair was the Janet of the school, the aloof campus heartthrob. Like most girls, I had a passionate crush on him.
But their passion was expressed in actions, while mine was confined to my heart. When he played basketball on the field, I quietly sat by the window and watched him. When he read books in the library, I quietly sat in the corner, keeping him company. Whenever I heard his name in a crowd, I instinctively searched for him.
It was a contradictory feeling: I loved looking at him, but I was too afraid for him to know that I was watching.
One day, I accidentally discovered that the books he read were all books I had borrowed.
Because of this shared little hobby, I secretly felt thrilled for a long time.
Eventually, I couldn't resist writing him a love letter and secretly placing it inside one of the books I borrowed.
I thought the letter might be taken by someone else or casually thrown into the trash by him.
But when I saw him pull the letter out of the book and put it into his bag, I felt as if I had won one million in the lottery. Every time I saw him after that, my heart would race, like a thief who had just been caught.
The embarrassment, anxiety, panic, and helplessness lasted until the college entrance exam. We were like two intersecting lines, growing farther apart. Later, I realized not all crushes would see the light of day. Why should I be the exception?
