28 Mike, Take Care

The car stopped outside the airport, and John leaned over to unfasten Alice's seat belt, saying kindly, "Hurry up, go say goodbye."

Alice kept staying seated, thinking slowly, since it's all in the past--irreversible, at least they can wish each other well. She understood Mike--he had also been tangled up in the past… He appeared there again, only to make a huge decision for himself--it's funny, they were so near, but they were so far.

She quickly got out of the car, as if afraid that any delay might change her mind.

Mike was still waiting for his flight, but his eyes were fixed on the entrance, and she really came.

"Alice laughed brilliantly, gasping for breath as she pulled his hand, "Hey, I'm really sorry for me coming late."

She spoke politely. Her heart was being tortured and bleeding.

Mike just slightly smiled, looking at her laugh with the deepest gaze.

Standing in silence, the time ticked by, and the airport's announcements kept urging, he gently opened his arms and embraced her, just like before, still hugging her like a treasure. Alice didn't dare to move, and finally pushed him away, "Mike, take care."

He slowly released her, and Alice vaguely felt like this was a slow-motion scene from an old movie. He finally left her and took the warmth away, taking their love away.

She stood there, watching him walk inside. Her feet were so heavy. She could not move. She saw him look back for the last time. In that look, she remembered all the past, suddenly wanting to cry, leaving with a smile ultimately. She couldn't run back into his arms like three years before.

Alice didn't know how long she stood there, as the crowd dispersed, and she felt it difficult to even turn around. Until two hands encircled her shoulders, Alice came out of her nightmare-like state.

John slightly exerted his strength, whispering in her ear, "Let's go home." She nodded vaguely, following him obediently.

From the view of the passers-by, it must be a beautiful picture--a tall and handsome man with a beautiful woman in his arms, full of affection and sweetness. But John knew clearly that Alice was just like a puppet doll, following his lead.

However, this doll came to her senses the moment she stepped out of the airport into the cold wind. She slightly kept her distance from him, and then looked up at John and said softly, "Sorry, I apologize for any embarrassment caused."

John shook his head slightly. He opened the car door for her and asked, "Going back home?"

"No, please take me to the hotel," she thought about it and changed her words, "the Roosevelt intersection will do."

The hotel staff were familiar with his car, and she didn't want to stir up any rumors--she knew his good intentions, and just saw him as a very considerate friend. She thought, right now, she was really unable to handle such emotions.

He understood her thoughts and didn't say anything. He drove her all the way and indeed dropped her off at the intersection. Alice said seriously before getting out of the car, "Thank you." She was already in a daze and didn't know what else to say.

John slightly smiled, "Not at all." Her face was very pale. He was worried but could only watch her walk forward.

Alice returned to the hotel, feeling like she was living in another world. Lily saw her walking into the administrative building from a distance and greeted her, "Haven't seen you for two days." Alice smiled, not sure if she was being sensitive, but Lily seemed radiant, her long hair was curled into large waves before, which was hard to manage in the hotel but today it looked neat and obedient.

"Have dinner together tonight?" Lily suggested.

"No, there's a lot of work," Alice shook her head, "You look great." She genuinely praised her.

The history forum wasn't just her work, and she conveniently made up an excuse about Lemon's new product promotion to get out of it. She also missed her familiar teachers and classmates but they would also indulge her in memories of the past.

She thought those memories about university and youth should not be touched anymore, and sent a text to Kate, saying she was busy. Although Kate was just a few buildings away, she replied, "I see. Let's get together next time."

Alice smiled, holding the phone, recalling those days when it seemed only Kate was there, not asking anything but accompanying her to enjoy all kinds of food. She thought, next time, she really should forget all her memories.

She drank some water, then thought it wasn't enough and drank another cup. She called the general manager's office, "Hello, Mr. Thompson. I haven't been on duty several times. Let me take the duty these nights."

Mr. Thompson saw her determination and allowed her. Alice took a big mouth of cake and suddenly felt like she was back in her school days, staying up all night to study with coffee and cakes.

Thinking about the pile of things to do, she felt endless energy, wanting to get to work urgently--in the end, she would have to do it one by one, and began to call one by one.

She had just finished her dinner in the cafe and put down the documents, going to check each building one by one.

Returning to the office, the catering department called to ask if she wanted a late-night snack--she had never wanted one before, finding it troublesome--today she made an exception and asked them to send it, feeling that life was truly wonderful and she could enjoy a late-night snack in such a famous hotel.

She finished the snack and lay on the bed, feeling drowsy. She looked at the clock and saw it was past midnight. She mumbled to herself, "Everything will be fine. I'll get better," and fell asleep deeply.