I'll Take You Back to Paradise!

He poured me a glass of wine, "Let's talk while we eat."

"Why are you helping me?" I asked him seriously, looking directly into his eyes.

"I want to help!" His response seemed forced, and I knew he wasn't telling the whole truth.

"Have we met before?" I suddenly asked him. For some reason, I felt as though Joy seemed familiar. From the first moment he stared at me after presenting Elevate at the bidding meeting, I had this feeling, but I hadn't thought deeply about it at that time.

He smiled but didn't answer, instead asking me, "Have you made up your mind? Do you really want to get back at him?"

"Yes!" I answered without hesitation. "I had made up my mind before going to J city."

I sipped the wine, "That day by the river, I was a mess, but this was clear—I must take back everything that's mine."

I suddenly realized that speaking like this might alienate him, make him think I was too ruthless.