Novel Legend
Chapter 23: Not To Dwell
To Love You Again, My HusbandCcontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
Chapter 23: Not To Dwell
Evan stared at his sister, who was darkly staring at her phone. Specifically, to someone’s number which hadn’t yet been saved in her phone. It would have been fine if she had stared at it for merely ten minutes, but it had been one day. He couldn’t stand her acting that way since it was uncanny. Airina rolled her tongue inside her mouth and then tilted her head.
Evan folded his arms, “So who is the owner of that number?”
“Jackson”, she thoughtlessly responded, and it was already too late to take that back. She regained her senses and awkwardly scratched her cheek. Jackson has been in her mind for the whole day. At night, when she tried to sleep, his smiling face would pop into her mind, and she’d jolt out from her drowsiness. Strangely, she didn’t feel a grudge about it, rather it felt unfair that she was the only one who felt that way.
“I… just called him to inform him about our Pa.”
Evan frowned, “What for? Papa shooed him away so why would you trouble yourself by calling him?”
Airing looked away at Evan’s nagging and defended. “S-since he took care both of us the first night Pa became like this… I thought it would be fine. Besides, he was concerned about him”, she turned off her phone, placing it clumsily on the desk, “I-I was just out of my mind.”
Evan sighed, “Yes. I understand. Did he give you his number?”
“Uh? I memorized it-”
“You… Rina! Do you still have feelings for him?”
“I don’t have. I memorized it before and it was natural for me to remember it, okay?”
Evan blocked her way, asking. “Do you have feelings for him, Rina?”
Airina shyly looked away from his intense gaze. “I-I don’t”, she waved her hands, “Why would I like him? He was nothing but a cheater man. I wouldn’t like him.”
Evan felt his head throbbing. He touched his forehead sighing and telling her. “I won’t control your life, Rina. But I… you have been hurt by him. You can be wavered, yes, but don’t dwell on it. You knew how exactly he acted previously.”
“Evan, people change. Just like us.” Her eyes turned guilty.
Evan flinched at her words. She may not have deep feelings for him right now but there was no certainty for tomorrow. It only took Airina one month to fall in love once again with the same person.
Just how life was so cruel.
He could only say, “What if he was just playing with you?”
Airina snapped, “I’ll deal with it. Don’t worry…”
And then, she headed out of the house with restless sighs. She shouldn’t feel all favored by Jackson just because he made her feel that way. Since he easily separated from Nicole, it wouldn’t be that hard for him to part ways with her. Since they didn’t do anything that special, to begin with.
*
Matthew grumbled on the phone, [“Come on, I never even asked you to work every day. Just come and visit!”]
Airina shook her head, “I told you I’ll notify you when I have to stay longer. Evan isn’t here since he needs to prepare for his graduation.”
Matthew sighed, touching his forehead while staring at the endless documents on his desk. With his other hand, he grabbed the pen, skimming the documents and signing at the end page of it.
[“I am hectic these days and you want to be absent.”]
“Of course, is there anything else I can do?”
[“I was sure Jackson was willing to stay with you for however you want. So why would you be alone now?”]
Airina blinked her eyes, “Papa… dismissed him away.”
Matthew, who was serious, suddenly burst into laughter while covering his mouth. He didn’t expect Sir Kevin to shoo him away since from Wendy’s stories, he was the one who was pushy about the marriage between Jackson and Airina. It was partly due to Airina’s willingness, but Kevin was excited about it. If it was possible, he had wanted them to unite that very day Airina revealed she liked Jackson.
After laughing to his heart’s content, he asked. [“But why do you sound gloomy? Do you not want him to leave?”]
She snickered, “What do you m-mean? I want him away, too. He was just a little handy as he served and cooked for Papa.”
[“Cooks? That CEO knows how to cook? What else does he do?”]
Airina giggled, “Aiya, I only wanted to tell you that I won’t be able to come to work. Maybe after two days since I am still checking up on Father.”
Matthew didn’t further pursue the matter, [“All right, then. I can’t force you anyway.”]
“Ok, thank you.”
Upon returning to where her father was, she saw that he was standing in front of his beloved plants to which she smiled. If things go well, his heart palpitations will rarely happen as long as he controls his emotions and doesn’t overreact.
“Pa, what kind of flower is this?”
“Hm, that’s Lilac while this one is Daphne. That one with yellow and brown mixed was the sunflower. Do you remember that time?”
Airina’s eyes flickered when she recalled what he talked about. She spoke, “It was when…. You and Mother celebrated your anniversary and that was the flower I gifted to you.”
Kevin laughed in delight, “Yes. That time I thought, other than the costly gift from others, this was far from the best of the best. I could plant them and be reminded of the good old times.”
Airina clutched her phone as her gaze focused on the sunflower. It was a bittersweet memory but somehow it felt annoying to recall.
“The good old times… right.”
Kevin heaved an exhalation, “I want you to live your best life, Rina. Despite I am apologetic for what I had done, I could only inspire you to chase anything that makes you happy.”
Airina looked up at him, “…. Pa, rather than that… If there was a chance, would you want to go back with Mother as it was before?”
Kevin’s soft expression turned glum in a matter of seconds. “… I dare not wish. I’ve broken her several times.”
“… Right.”
*
Matthew placed the glass on the desk, “Is your father alright?”
Airina smiled while she softly lifted the cup. “Yes, since you were forcing me to work. I have done my job for the day so I hope I can part ways with you.”
Matthew scoffed, folding his arms. “I wasn’t the one who wanted to see you but Sir Montage. You know what deal you have with him”, he was lowkey nagging her but at the same time concerned about her. “It was fortunate that he believed you.”
Airina pursed her lips. “Right, Elisa’s father is a nice man.”
While talking with each other, a certain man overheard their conversation and frowned. He had been here when they came together but none between Airina and Matthew sensed Jackson’s aura from the back. Jackson clicked his tongue and then walked to their table.
Airina curiously looked at his figure and then blinked after discovering it was Jackson. She questioned, “What business do you have with us?”
Jackson glared at Matthew who nonchalantly lifted his brow at him. Jackson snickered silently.
“It had been a while, Sir Halton.”
Matthew shrugged, “Not really. We saw each other yesterday.”
“… That’s why ‘a while’.”
Matthew cracked a smile, “Oh? A while, yes. Haha.”
Airina, who had emptied her drink, sprang from her seat and glanced at Jackson. It was already eight in the evening and she was exhausted from restless work. She wanted to plop on the bed early tonight. She looked at her watch, pushing him away from the way.
“It’s nice meeting you, Jackson. Have a pleasant talk with Matthew.”
Matthew smirked at Jackson as if challenging him. Abruptly, Jackson followed suit Airina as he said.
“H-how was your father?”
She blinked her eyes, “Better.”
He wetted his lower lip, “Let me take you home.”
Airina frowned. “Is being a driver your new work?”