Ch 194

[Chapter 194]

Why would such a powerful man be interested in her friendship?

Gerald wouldn't just come out and say why, either. Today was just a chance meeting.

He was a soft-hearted man and held particular sympathy for people who were suffering.

Of course he could just solve their problems straight away: Find them a nicer place to stay in, put all the kids in school… all it would take was a few words from him.

However, from the moment Gerald saw Queta again, his heart had been racing wildly out of control. Some subtle emotion was compelling him to get closer to her, to get to know her better.

He didn't understand this feeling.

Yet, thinking back now, he'd known from the first time he laid eyes on her… Just one look from the side and her face had been burned into his memory.

A girl he'd met purely by chance. How could he be feeling this way about her?

He didn't have the slightest clue. All he knew was that, from the moment he met her, he'd felt like he'd known her forever.

The two of them began to talk, warming towards each other with each passing moment.

Without noticing, an entire afternoon had gone by.

"Queta, Yasmin, I'm going now. I'll visit again in a few days!" Gerald waved goodbye to the girls and took his leave.

After spending the day with them, his heart felt light, his soul at peace for the first time in an eternity.

Then his phone rang. It was Lilian.

When they'd last parted ways, Gerald had asked to exchange numbers with her. Reluctantly, she'd agreed.

"I say, Gerald… I invite you to be a part of this gathering, and you're going to be late for your first time?" Lilian's voice was sharp with reprimand. "I said to meet at five. Where are you?"

"Oh, something came up, so I was held back. On my way now, maybe ten minutes!"

Doot… doot… Without another word, she'd hung up on him.

Gerald smiled wryly.

He should have just stayed out of this 'old schoolmates' trouble. What a d*mned headache!

But he had already given his word, so he had to keep it now. He returned to the car park, started up his car, and made for the hotel where the reservation had been made.

He arrived, parked the car, and found the table.

"Took you long enough, Gerald! You've really kept everyone waiting for you, you know?" Lilian's face contorted hideously at the sight of him.

"My God, it's really Gerald! After all these years! No patches on your clothes… have you started dressing like normal people?"

"Hahaha! Oh, Gerald, I hear you're in Mayberry University? That's a swanky place! How have you been doing lately? The internship is coming up soon—found yourself a spot somewhere, yet?"

"Have a seat first. Gerald, tell us all about what you've been through, these past few years."

They were in a private dining room, with a massive table that could easily seat two dozen. That was the number of 'old friends'

who were in attendance this evening, including a handful of former high school classmates of his. It was a crowded and cozy affair.

Gerald smiled at everyone, then spotted a girl at the head of the table: Sharon Leslie!

The prettiest girl in class, and his best friend in high school. They used to study together all the time.

As a matter of fact, each had been harboring some measure of affection for the other.

However, Sharon hadn't wanted to get involved with someone from his sort of background.

Likewise, Gerald hadn't dared to get involved with someone from her sort of background.

There had been too great a fault in their stars.

And so, they'd never been much more to each other than just friends.

"It's been a while, Sharon. Have you been well?" Gerald smiled at her. Sharon had changed tremendously. She'd learned how to use make-up, and her appeal was now far beyond what he remembered.

A first-class beauty without question.

"I'm doing great. Why don't you find a place to sit down!" Sharon replied with a smile and in a tone that was neither malicious nor dismissive.

After three years without contact, anything they had had between them had long vanished.

They were just strangers, now.

"Alright!" Gerald spotted an empty seat, and he moved to take it.

"Who said you could sit there?" Before he could actually do so, however, another girl—another ex-classmate—snapped harshly at him, giving him a fright.