I explained, “I’ve finished handing over my work, so I don’t need to go to the office tomorrow. I want to have dinner with some close colleagues tonight to say goodbye. You’d better go to your friend’s birthday party.“”
After hearing this, Xena didn’t insist on coming with me anymore. She just tentatively asked, “If you’re not going, should I really invite Remy then?”
I smiled and nodded. “Go ahead and invite him.”
Xena carefully searched my face for any signs of jealousy, but she was bound to be disappointed.
“You’re really not jealous at all?” she couldn’t help but ask.
I found it strange. Hadn’t she always hated it when I got jealous before?
Now that I wasn’t jealous as she had wished, she seemed uncomfortable.
“What’s there to be jealous about? You said you’re just like siblings. Besides, he gets along better with your friends. It’s normal for you to go together.”
Xena opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing. She just reminded me, “Come back early. If you drink, call me and I’ll pick you up.”
I thought for a moment and agreed. I was sure to drink tonight, and if she was willing to pick me up, that would save me the trouble of getting a
cab.
After the dinner, I called Xena. There was loud music and laughter in the background on her end.
I hesitated before speaking, “I’m done here. Are you not finished yet? Maybe I should just get a cab home.”
Xena quickly stopped me, “No, no, no. I said I’d pick you up. Wait for me a bit, I’ll let them know.”
<
letting anyone touch him. He keeps calling for you. Hurry up!”
Xena hesitated and asked me, “Ezra, can you wait a bit longer? I need to send Remy home first.”
I forced a smile and said understandingly, “It’s fine. Go take care of him. I’ll get a cab home.”
Xena anxiously explained, “Ezra, don’t worry. After I send him home, I’ll come right back. Nothing will happen between us.”
“Mm, I know. Go ahead. I’m going to call a cab now.”
After hanging up, I went straight home in a cab, showered, and lay down in bed.
Then my phone rang. It was Xena calling.
I answered, but before I could speak, I heard Remy’s whining voice on the other end: “Snow, don’t go. My stomach hurts. Help me rub it.”
12
Xena’s voice sounded helpless, “Remy, stop it. I need to go back. Ezra is waiting for me at home.”
“Let him wait. It’s not like he hasn’t waited before. Snow, my stomach really hurts. Do you want me to die in pain?”
Xena sighed, “You’re impossible. Is it here? Does it feel better when I rub like this?”
“Yes, right there. It’s feeling a bit better. Keep rubbing for a while longer.”
I listened expressionlessly to this point, then hung up the phone that was probably accidentally dialed.
I scrolled through some videos before turning off my phone and going to sleep.
Xena didn’t come back all night. She returned home close to noon the next day.
After changing her shoes and coming in, she walked up to me and explained, “Last night after sending Remy home, his stomach acted up again. I took care of him until very late, so I didn’t come back. I just slept on his couch.”
I responded with an indifferent “Mm” and continued looking at my phone.
She came over to hold my hand, but I avoided her.
Xena finally couldn’t bear it anymore and said emotionally, “Ezra, I really can’t stand your cold attitude anymore. Can we talk properly?”
“Isn’t this good?”
I was confused. Wasn’t this what she had always wanted – for me not to interfere too much in her life? Why was she unhappy now?
Xena seemed to have found her own answer: “Are you treating me like this because of Remy?”
I remained silent.
She gritted her teeth and said, “If you don’t like me being in contact with him, I can cut ties with him. Just don’t be like this anymore, okay?”
Xena looked at me expectantly, her eyes pleading.
In the past, no matter how much I argued, she would never agree to cut ties with Remy. Now she was offering it so easily.
The thing I had most hoped for over the years was about to be achieved, yet I felt nothing.
I said impassively, “No need. Who you’re friends with is your right. I have no say in it.”
Xena looked anxious, “Ezra, do you not believe that I’ll really cut ties with Remy? I’ll call him right now!”
With that, Xena took out her phone and dialed Remy’s number, putting it on speaker.
Soon, Remy answered the call, “Snow, are you home? Missing me already?”
