The next time I saw Alastair was two months later.
Alastair's mother returned to the country, and both families arranged a vacation at a hot spring resort.
Halfway through dinner, Alastair finally arrived.
It was early autumn, but he was wearing a thick coat, with a scarf wrapped around his neck and a small pale chin.
He looked somewhat frail.
My mother asked with concern, "Alastair, are you feeling unwell?"
"Thank you," Alastair said, his lips pale but curling into a slight smile. "Just a small cold, nothing serious."
"You've been sick for a while now, haven't you?"
Alastair's mother interjected, "Have you seen a doctor?"
"I've seen one."
"Mmm."
She continued, "When you were renting that house, I told you that you should've bought it. Why go through all the trouble of moving? Are you still staying at a hotel? I bought a few places near your school, you should go check them out and see if any of them suit you. Then you can move in."
I instinctively glanced at Alastair.
So he really had moved out?
I had always thought he was lying.
Alastair refused. "No need."
Alastair's mother sighed. "If you really like that old place, I can have someone buy it for you." Alastair remained stubborn on this issue. "I'm fine staying at the hotel."
My mother quickly tried to smooth things over. "Staying at a hotel isn't bad. A lot of young people live in hotels these days, and they get cleaned."
She then dragged me into the conversation. "You should've seen Aurelia. I'd be happy if she stayed at a hotel; the place is so messy you can't even walk around."
I muttered, "... It's not that messy."
It wasn't that bad. In fact, when Alastair lived there, my place was practically sparkling!
Even after he left, I still couldn't get used to the absence. Things were neatly organized in their proper places. Of course, I couldn't say that aloud.
Alastair's mother laughed softly. "The cleaning lady handles everything, and Aurelia never lets anyone worry about her."
"Not like Alastair," she added, turning to him. "You've been alone all these years. Last time we spoke, you said you were seeing someone. Why haven't we heard anything recently?" It was easy for anyone to guess who Alastair was talking about. I lowered my head and ate a few bites, pretending to be unaware.
A searing gaze cut through me, and Alastair Langley lowered his lashes. "That opportunity has passed. It won't come again."
"Pfft—"
I almost choked on my food, nearly spitting it out while coughing uncontrollably.
Alastair instinctively reached for his water to hand it to me, but then seemed to remember something and quietly pulled it back.
Dinner ended with a mix of emotions, and my steps felt unsteady.
My parents and Alastair's mother went to the hot springs, and I decided to take a walk by myself.
After saying my goodbyes, I walked down the hallway, planning to head to the back garden, but I found a familiar figure at the end.
Alastair was leaning against the window, with two empty bottles of wine beside him. I hadn't expected him to be here drinking, especially since he had left early to rest.
"Alastair!"
I snatched the third bottle he was about to bring to his lips. "You're sick, why are you drinking?"
He seemed drunk, his pale cheeks flushed with color. His movements were slow and sluggish.
When he saw it was me, he let out a hum and turned his face away. "None of your business."
He muttered, "You clearly abandoned me."
I blinked. "??"
What kind of evil villain accuses someone first?
Who was it that left without a word, without even a notice?
I was furious. I grabbed his face firmly. "Alastair, explain yourself—who abandoned whom?" It was him who left for the U.S. without a word. It was him who packed up his things without any notice. With my hand still on his face, Alastair could only look up at me.
There was a glimmer of tears in his beautiful eyes, like shimmering autumn water, and I found myself losing most of my anger. I softened my voice, "Alastair, stop causing trouble. Go back and rest."
"No."
Drunk Alastair was a problem, and a stubborn one at that.
"What exactly do you want?"
Alastair bit his lower lip and asked, "Do you like me at all? Paisley, even just a little?"
I didn't know how many people had asked me that question.
But standing in my position, I couldn't tell what I truly felt. Each second apart was wearing me down. Everyone who came to me was running out of chances.
But this person in front of me, he dared to come and go, repeatedly playing with me.
"Alastair."
I stared at the head buried in my chest and sighed. "If I didn't like you, your brains would already be splattered on the floor."
