Chapter 11
The security guards came and threw Jacob out of the villa along with all of his belongings. Only then did Shalley feel a sense of peace returning to her and Warren’s dwelling.
She held the box of photos close, her fingers gently tracing the handwriting on the back of each photograph.
“Where are you now, Warren?” Shalley wondered helplessly as she clutched the box of photos. tightly as if they were a priceless treasure.
“Where are you now, Warren?”
Warren woke up abruptly from a dream.
Dahlia asked, “You look kind of pale. Did you have a bad dream?”
Warren gradually came to his senses.
Today, David and Dahlia had taken him out for lunch to introduce him to the chief editor of a prominent magazine in Melrand. However, she had to attend to some urgent business and would be late. Feeling restless and sleep–deprived, Warren had dozed off on the couch while waiting.
“Here, Warren.” A soft female voice spoke up.
Then, a fair hand held out a tissue to him.
Warren remained dazed for a moment before looking up and accepting it. “Thanks, Thandie.”
He wiped the thin layer of sweat from his forehead, still somewhat lost in the remnants of his
dream.
Thandie smiled sweetly. “It’s just a nightmare. Once you wake up, all the scary things vanish. David, Dahlia, and… Well, we’re all here with you.
Dahlia teased her. “And who else?”
“And… And…” Thandie blushed, fumbling for words. “And you have this delightful weather! Soak in some sunlight, and you’ll feel better.”
Dahlia chuckled and didn’t press further. “Right. The sunshine will keep Warren company too.”
Thandie’s cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red.
Upon noticing that Warren still seemed troubled Dahlia asked with concern, “Don’t be nervous. The chief editor you’ll be meeting is a humorous and friendly person. She’s an old friend of David’s. After she looked at your photography work, she was very impressed.”
Warren nodded. “I know. It’s just that I dreamed about…”
“Dreamed about what?” Dahlia asked, curious.
“The past,” Warren replied.
“What’s there to be afraid of in the past? Shalley was so good to you. Those memories should be sweet dreams, right?” Dahlia was a bit perplexed.
Warren didn’t know how to explain it to her.
Fortunately, Thandie stepped in. “Well, life isn’t always a bed of roses. Warren has his struggles too.”
Dahlia responded, “Really? Was Shailey too strict with you, Warren? I think I remember David mentioning that before. I guess it’s pretty normal for parents or guardians to be protective. I guess Shailey cares too much about you.”
Thandie interjected, “Mrs. Keaton, maybe we shouldn’t keep bringing up Warren’s sister–in- law. After all, he’s his own person, and he has his own life to live.”
Dahlia was a bit surprised but noticed that Warren didn’t object. She nodded in agreement and said, “Alright, let’s not talk about her anymore.”
Warren shot Thandie a grateful smile. “Thanks, Thandie.”
It wasn’t that he couldn’t let go of Shailey. From the moment he boarded the plane, he had already resolved to move on.
His life had been so intertwined with Shailey’s that every conversation–whether with classmates, friends, or teachers–always seemed to circle back to her.
Thandie, however, understood him.
After getting away from Shailey, Warren felt like an independent person at long last. He no longer tied his emotions to the actions and decisions of another person.
For the first time, he felt free and unburdened.
The chief editor, Lisa Franklin, eventually arrived. As Dahlia had said, she was indeed a boisterous middle–aged woman.
The moment she saw Warren, she exclaimed, “I feel like we’ve met before!”
By then, Warren had composed himself and was fully immersed in this “interview“.
He replied with a polite smile, “Ms. Franklin, isn’t that pick–up line a bit outdated?” Lisa laughed heartily. “You’re an interesting person, Mr. Gardner.”
Chapter by
“I’m not just interesting. I have excellent photography skills to boot,” Warren responded swiftly.
Warren was confident, charming, humorous, and witty. Without Shalley, his individual. brilliance shone through all the same.
By the time they parted, Lisa was eager to employ Warren. “We have a big feature coming up, and the client has high expectations. We still lack a talented photographer at the moment. If you’re available and willing, you’re welcome to start anytime.”
Warren accepted her offer readily.
“By the way, I wasn’t simply making small talk to break the ice earlier. I genuinely feel like we’ve met before,” Lisa said.
“I’ve only just arrived in Melrand. Perhaps you met someone who looked like me in the past,” Warren speculated.
Lisa didn’t keep pressing the issue. “Maybe it’s as you said.”
On her way back, Lisa continued to rack her brain as she sat in the backseat of her car. She tried hard to recall where she had seen Warren before.
Her driver teased, “Have you taken a liking to this young man, Ms. Franklin?”
Lisa shot back right away, “He’s much younger than me! I only see him as a younger brother
at most.”
Suddenly, a light bulb went off in her head. “I remember now! I know where I’ve seen him before!”
When Shailey got the call from Lisa, she was talking to Victor. It had been days since they had been looking for Warren. Yet, there was still no news of him.
Victor advised Shailey to be mentally prepared for the worst. However, Shailey refused to accept that Warren might be dead.
He said, “The situation is straightforward. Mr. Gardner vanished from your wedding. He
didn’t take anything with him–not even his luggage or his wallet. Until now, we have yet to receive any call of distress from him. Ms. Ralston, you need to brace yourself-
Shailey’s phone buzzed as another call came in.
She answered it impatiently. “What is it, Lisa? I’m busy.”
“I just saw your brother–in–law, Shailey!”
