Chapter4# The baby

A gust of hot and steamy wind swept through the area, intensifying the stifling atmosphere.

Feeling the heat and a growing thirst, Alice, noticing Victor's playful demeanor, reached for his water bottle, unfazed by the notion of indirect contact after the "kiss" had already been shared.

Attempting to take his water, Alice found Victor unwilling to relinquish it.

Amused, she teased, "Playing hard to get, huh? Bro?"

Silence lingered.

With a swift movement, Victor retrieved the water, deftly pulling it from her grasp and turning it away, his actions swift and decisive.

Alice chuckled softly, accepting the water and retreating to the side of the car. Tilting her head back, she took a long swig, finally feeling refreshed.

In the distance, Anna appeared, pedaling her bike frantically before abruptly halting in front of Alice. Breathless, she noticed the loaded boot of the car and the clear progress made, inquiring, "You've moved everything up?"

Acknowledging the assistance received, Alice handed over the water and suggested, "Why don't you go upstairs to drop off your bag, then we can all go out for dinner, including Mike, Victor's housemate."

Agreeing, Anna turned to Victor gratefully, "Thank you, Senior. It's a great help. Dinner's on me tonight."

Victor simply replied, "You're welcome."

Anna swiftly parked her bike and rushed into the lift.

As Alice settled back into the car, she unscrewed her water bottle cap and, turning to Victor, asked, "What would you like for dinner tonight?"

Engrossed in watching the sunset, Victor tilted his head back and managed to utter two words, "Whatever."

A strong gust of wind blew, carrying with it the oppressive heat of the evening.

Observing Victor, perceived as somewhat aloof, Alice couldn't help but notice how the setting sun cast a warm, tender glow on his silhouette, accentuating his matured features.

With a sense of nostalgia after seven years of separation, Alice found herself falling for him all over again at first sight. Victor, once the campus heartthrob at North City University, continued to exude a captivating charm at twenty-five, surpassing even his charismatic appeal at nineteen.

Lightening her tone, Alice suggested with a touch of fondness, "How about we dine at that Mexican place near the school? Remember it?"

Victor nodded in acknowledgment, leaving it ambiguous whether he remembered or simply agreed to her proposal.

Alice assumed it was the latter, considering his distant demeanor as he didn't even meet her gaze. Not dwelling on it, she suggested, "Message Mike, and I'll reserve a table."

Victor shifted his gaze from the sky to Alice.

Leaning against the car door, Alice held her phone in one hand, her other hand brushing back the heat-dampened strands of her long, light burgundy hair. The wind playfully dispersed her hair strands into the evening sunlight, gradually drying the moisture.

After observing this serene scene for a moment, Victor lowered his head to check his phone, seemingly unaffected.

He messaged Mike, who responded promptly. Victor hesitated before sending another message, probing, "After all these years since college, are you still so close with her?"

Mike, caught off guard, chose to divert the conversation, asking innocently, "Who is it?"

Victor tersely replied, "Alice."

Mike teased, "Jealous, are we?"

Ignoring the banter, Victor remained stoic. Mike continued, steering the conversation away from Alice, revealing his relationship with her and his upcoming marriage.

Alice made a reservation and then messaged someone named 'baby,' informing them of her change in dinner plans. She noticed Victor's preoccupied expression and, feeling puzzled, inquired, "Is Mike not joining us for dinner? Why the distant look?"

Before Victor could respond, Anna arrived.

Unperturbed by Victor's silence, Alice prepared to enter her car.

To her surprise, Victor stepped forward, indicating he would drive. Without a word, he swiftly moved to the driver's side and opened the door.

Observing this, Anna approached and opened the passenger door for Alice.

Conflicted, Alice hesitated, feeling uncomfortable about leaving Anna alone in the back seat. Despite her reservations, she decided against sitting in the front, opting for a balanced seating arrangement as they embarked on their journey.

Alice playfully teased Anna, "Why bother getting in? Let's sit in the back and chat."

Anna retorted, "What's there to chat about after knowing each other for 800 years? Let our male god drive. Besides, wouldn't it be better for you two to chat? After four years apart, you need to reacquaint yourselves with each other."

Ignoring Alice's protests, Anna swiftly pushed her into the passenger seat and closed the door.

As the car started moving, Victor maintained his focus on the road, seemingly unfazed by the exchange.

Alice adjusted her seatbelt in silence, contemplating whether to inquire about Mike's attendance at dinner. However, Anna's comments had stirred a sense of awkwardness between them, prompting Alice to remain silent.

The trio sat in an uneasy silence, each avoiding conversation until Alice noticed the water in the center console. She handed it to Anna and took a few sips herself, adjusting the air conditioning and playing music to break the tension.

The car smoothly arrived at a bustling Mexican restaurant near Peking University, where Mike was just pulling up in his BMW.

Victor parked the car next to Mike's vehicle, then tossed the keys to Alice before heading inside without a glance.

Anna and Alice followed suit, with Anna slowing down to inquire about the strange atmosphere during the drive. She questioned Alice about their relationship status, to which Alice clarified that they had only just met that day.

Anna was taken aback, "Just met him today? Oh, I got excited for nothing. I thought we were back together..." She sighed, "So he knows about the..."

Alice quickly covered her mouth to silence Anna's words.

Lowering her voice, Alice whispered, "Let's not mention anything about the 'baby' at dinner later."

Although nodding in agreement, Anna seemed puzzled, "But what if he doesn't know? Why didn't you tell him when he graduated and returned home?"

Alice's gaze shifted to the tall figure seated in front of her, a thoughtful expression on her face, "I'm unsure about his current situation, whether he has a girlfriend or not."

Confused, Anna inquired, "Didn't Mike mention he hasn't been in a relationship for four years?"

Alice's lips curved slightly, "Back when we were together, neither of us knew about each other's relationships."

After a moment of silence, Anna asked tentatively, "What do you think now?"

Alice let out a soft exhale and shook her head, "It's been so long since we've seen each other. Our connection feels unfamiliar, especially our mannerisms and behaviors."

Anna proposed, "What if he doesn't have a girlfriend? Wouldn't that be a chance to reconcile?"

Alice continued to shake her head, "It depends on whether he still holds feelings for me."

Curiously, Anna suggested, "Why not bring up the child to reconcile with him?"

Alice raised an eyebrow, a faint smile appearing on her lips, "It's been four years since our split. It wouldn't be fair to the child or him to use that as a way to get back together. It's meaningless."

Anna's voice lowered with irritation, "Still talking about fairness? He let you raise a child alone for years, and that's fair?"

Alice glared at her, "I've told you, I was the one who suggested splitting up. The pregnancy happened on the last night when he was drunk, and I led him to bed in his confused state, where he neglected to use birth control. Do you really think Victor, with his condescending demeanor, would stoop to something as despicable as impregnating random women?"

Anna blushed slightly, "Do you regret it?"

Alice shrugged, "Of course, what college student wouldn't regret an accidental pregnancy? I thought I wouldn't get pregnant, but look what happened. A moment of passion leading to a lifelong responsibility."

She continued, "I could have chosen to abort, but I decided to keep the child for myself. It had nothing to do with him. In fact, it's unfair to him to have a child without his knowledge."

Anna sighed, "Then why not reconcile with him? Everything will be fine. Alice, you seem quite philosophical. Your desire to reunite with him doesn't seem strong."

Alice's eyes twinkled, "You're right. I haven't thought about it in years. Without knowing his emotional state, thinking about it is pointless. Let's not say anything... he's still as intriguing as ever. Just talking about him makes my teeth itch."

Anna nodded in agreement, "Indeed, Victor Miller's looks are truly captivating. Even for the child's sake, don't let him slip away."

Alice sighed, "He's not the same man he used to be. Trying to pursue him now wouldn't be the same..."

As they reached their seats, Victor paused, as if he had heard his name mentioned. Alice quickly redirected the conversation, cautioning Anna about the neighboring house's inhabitant.

At the restaurant, Victor sat down first, followed by Mike, who hesitated to sit beside Alice. Anna, observant of the dynamics, nudged Alice to sit opposite Victor.

As they perused the menu, Alice and Anna engaged in conversation while Mike inquired about Alice's girlfriend. The discussion shifted to Mike's upcoming marriage.

Turning her gaze towards Victor, Alice noticed a subtle change in his demeanor— a blend of tenderness and aloofness that perplexed her.

She then addressed Victor directly, prompting a surprised reaction from him. The atmosphere was charged with unspoken questions as Victor's responses remained guarded.

Mike interjected with a light-hearted comment, teasing about Victor's single status, adding a touch of humor to the moment.

Victor arched an eyebrow at Mike's jest.

Alice chuckled, "That's right, Victor. Do you always go out and return alone?"

There was a pregnant pause as Victor processed his ex-girlfriend's casual inquiry. Eventually, he coolly met her gaze and asked in a measured tone, "Is that a reflection on yourself?"

Alice quickly clarified, "Oh, no, I'm just showing concern for the single folks out there."

Victor, sensing an underlying implication in her words, felt a tinge of discomfort. It seemed as though she possessed something he lacked.

After a lingering gaze, he couldn't resist a retort, "And do you possess what you inquire about?"

Alice closed her menu, lifting her eyes to meet his gaze with a playful smile, "Possess what? A partner? Marriage? Or perhaps, children?"