27 Come Here When I'm Down

The cafeteria for senior employees at Lemon was rather empty, but the atmosphere was great, with people sitting in small groups, chatting casually, wearing casual denim and T-shirts. Alice, accustomed to neat and formal uniforms at her own workplace, couldn't help but be surprised.

Several were the ones she'd seen at the bar the other day, and they all came over to say hello. John approached, casually greeting his colleagues, and when he saw they two at the table whispering, he couldn't help but laugh, "What are you talking about?"

Alice looked up, giving a gentle smile, "We're talking about what Jack is going to treat me to."

"Mr. Williams is here, we've gotta make sure to get him to pay up."

John sat down, "My treat."

Jack shook his head, "The food here…Mr. Williams, it's too cheap for you."

John just looked at Alice and smiled without saying anything, and so she remembered that last night's dinner had been cooked by him personally, not necessarily abaloney or shark fin soup, but still precious enough. She pushed the menu towards him and said, "What's your recommendation."

John called the waiter and laughed, "Let's try French cuisine."

Alice tried the food, unable to help saying, "You cook just as well as a professional chef."

She was frank and outspoken, and suddenly realized Jack was sitting beside her, wishing she never said that—the second half of her words were so fast that it was hard to understand. John was surprised and looked up at Alice, but continued eating as if nothing happened. Jack asked, "What?" Seeing the strange atmosphere, he wisely kept quiet.

After lunch, Jack hurriedly said goodbye. John held the car keys and pressed the elevator button for her, "I'm going out too. Let me give you a ride." He put one hand in his pocket, not looking at her and not intending to let her refuse.

She could only say, "I'm going home."

He smiled slightly and didn't say anything.

Alice watched the rapidly passing scenery outside the window, while inside the car was the familiar silence, which she felt quite warm and no longer awkward.

It took a long time for her to realize something was wrong and she asked hesitantly, "Where are we going?"

He parked the car in a temporary parking under a large overpass, listening to the roar of various vehicles passing by, feeling that this was the real modern life, living in the world of steel and cement.

He didn't answer, and she didn't urge him. She just sat quietly, her softness made him feel compassionate.

After some time, she finally said softly, "Let's go back."

That tone made John stunned, finally losing that distant politeness and just talking to a friend. John firmly grasped the steering wheel with both hands, knowing too well the significance of her first love. She lived a neat and decisive city life, but actually, just in her own small world. Such pain can only be slowly healed by time. He couldn't help but reach out to hold her hands.

Alice turned to look at him, and a tear slowly slid down, slowly, giving enough time for someone to wipe it away. But she finally took her hand back and wiped it, turning her head to focus on the scenery outside the window.

"Why are we here?" Alice suddenly asked him. She turned and faced him directly.

"Nothing much." He spoke quietly, "I often come here when I'm down, , just to listen to the sound of cars passing by--it makes you realize that everything is just like this, people come and go. Everything will be fine."

"It's different." She smiled, "I used to be too scared to admit it, but I've been regretting it."

She spoke softly but emphasized the word "regret" slightly.

Yes, it was regret, something she had never dared to admit before. She was afraid that if she admitted it, she was afraid to face her heart.

But what good would regret do?

If time could flow backward, if her exclusive love could return to the starting point, she would still be like this now--or perhaps for the rest of her life, indulging in memories.

She didn't say anything else. John didn't offer any consolation, but drove faster, slamming the brakes hard at a red light. The sudden stop made Alice lean forward and get pulled back by the seatbelt, feeling as if her internal organs were about to fly out.

Just like the traffic light, the time between red and green is just a few seconds, but if you don't catch that green light in life, it can feel like an eternity.

"Will he leave this afternoon?" John asked in a low voice, "Please go and see him off."

Alice didn't know what he was referring to, looking at him confused. But she soon understood--his car sped towards the airport, leaving her no chance to refuse.