Chapter 33
Gordon was rendered speechless. Mayra never imagined that she would be holding a thick stack of test papers instead of snacks on her birthday.
"We're carrying so many things. How can we go buy ingredients later? Are we heading to the market near your home?"
He nodded. "Yes."
When returning, Mayra happily walked in front of him. She walked backward facing him. "Gordon, let's watch movies again. I want to stay with you every weekend. Can you take me to the library for tutoring again?"
Gordon frowned. "Watch your step. You'll fall."
They soon boarded the bus. But instead of returning home, she went to his home. When they arrived, Gordon immediately began putting everything away. After doing that, he started cooking.
Mayra looked around curiously. She had never visited Gordon's house before. There was a smell of herbs in the air that was strong, but not unpleasant. No wonder she could smell a medicinal scent on him from time to time.
The electric lights were old and dated. She strolled into the back hall and saw him enter the kitchen with firewood for the stove. His house's architecture resembled that of an old chalet. Five years later, house prices in Belchester City would skyrocket one hundredfold.
"Gordon, is this your home?"
"Yes. It's an old house."
Mayra raised her head curiously. "Remember my words, Gordon. No matter what happens in the future, don't sell this house. When you graduate from university, the value of this house will increase. Trust me."
Gordon, who was igniting the stove, simply responded, "Hmm."
After a while, she tucked into the meal he made and her birthday cake. The candles were burning. She made a wish by closing her eyes and clasping her palms together.
Then, she opened her eyes, blew out the candle, and smeared the cake's cream on his face. He sat still and allowed her to do so.
"Gordon, I just made a wish. I wish you a smooth future."
Gordon looked at her calmly and replied, "Your wish won't come true if you say it aloud, you know?"
"I believe it will."
…
Anderson was inside a dilapidated high-rise building. He hadn't stood here to admire the view in a long time. He peered at the darkness in the distance with deep, menacing eyes.
Shane pursed his lips and stepped forward, saying, "Mr. Barlow, it's already midnight. The restaurant reservation has been canceled because we were too late."
Anderson's voice was low and emotionless. "Have you found her?"
"Yes, the bodyguards are keeping an eye on Ms. Sadler. She's on her way back."
Just then, they heard a light and sweet laughter pierce the silence and darkness. It echoed through the empty and dilapidated building. A boy and a girl gradually approached from the corner
downstairs.
"Are you a stone, Gordon? I've told so many jokes. Why aren't you smiling? Don't always keep a straight face. It doesn't look good!" Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.
Mayra stood on tiptoes, holding Gordon's face and softly rubbing it. "Give me a smile, okay?"
"Mayra." Anderson's voice, neither soft nor heavy, echoed through the night. Her smile froze.