Snapping back to the present, I glared at
Chad, “What do you want now?”
Chad laughed. “If you needed money, you
should have said so. You can’t neglect
health.”
“We’re all friends, right? Ashley and I won’t
stand by.”
He handed me a card.
“What’s this?”
“Your dad’s illness. I know a really good
hospital. I’ll send you there.”
“But that city is far away.”
“It would be tiring to go back and forth.”
<
The antiseptic–smelling corridor was silent.
Chad and I stared at each other for a long
time.
Then he suddenly asked, “Do you know why
Ashley hasn’t been to school? It’s because
she’s ashamed.”
“You know her personality. She’s so proud.”
“That’s why I came to see you.”
Chad’s words were like needles, stabbing me
in the chest.
Waves of pain washed over me.
I squeezed my fists.
Г
My dad was coughing in the room.
It was a death knell.
I felt like everything around me was
dissolving.
Leaving only this life–saving card.
I needed that money.
I gripped the card in my hand.
“Thank you. I’ll transfer soon and take care of
my dad.”
“I’ll pay you back. But it’ll take some time.”
Chad sneered, “Who needs it?”
I didn’t tell anyone about the transfer.
One afternoon, we left the city for good.
After the move, my dad’s health slowly
improved.
School was tough after the transfer. I was
constantly running between the hospital and
my apartment, but my good foundation
helped me keep up.
My dad recovered.
In college, I balanced school and a business,
working myself to death.
I paid back Chad according to the card
number he left.
I was lucky. My business succeeded, and I
paid everything off before graduation.
Seven years passed in a flash.
I never thought I’d see Ashley again.
The reunion was a shock.
My college roommate, Alex, dragged me to a
party for the rich and privileged.
Everyone was filthy rich.
I didn’t want to go. Alex blew out a puff of
smoke and teased,
“Mr. Busy Businessman, you don’t have time.
to have dinner with me?”
<
“Guess the bromance is dead.”
Alex was my college roommate. Most of my
classmates had lost touch, but I stayed in
touch with him.
I couldn’t refuse, so I said yes.
When I walked into the club, I froze, feeling
like something was about to happen.
It was a regular place for the rich, just like
Alex said.
I felt fine until I was at the door to the VIP
section.
I saw Chad.
He’d changed a lot in seven years. He wasn’t
<
I didn’t expect to see him again.
Chad was just as shocked.
He knocked over his drink.
The VIP room was loud and lively. Alex
pushed me in. People wanted him to
introduce me.
Chad stared at me, smiling slowly. “Old
friend. I know him well.”
The room erupted.
“Old friend? Better introduce him, man!”
“Need a good introduction,” Chad said,
leaning back, lost in thought.
く
We stared at each other across the room.
He smiled and asked, “Should I start with the
time you stole my watch? Or how about your
name?”
The room went silent.
The first people to tease froze, their faces
twisted with disgust.
I was being sized up again.
The same as seven years before.
Chad was still smiling.
Alex exploded. “What the hell are you talking
about? Stop making crap up. My buddy
Г
Chad looked at me. “Ask him.”
Chapter 2
He was tapping his finger on the table, a sure
sign he was anxious.
My eyes went to the empty seat next to him.
The prime spot. It must have been reserved
for someone important.
Chad clearly wanted to get rid of me before
that person showed up.
I smiled back, “Are you nervous?”
Chad’s grin faded.
“My answer hasn’t changed. Not seven years
<
“I would never do that.”
“And that watch from seven years ago…” |
studied his face. “Did you really lose it?”
I didn’t get an answer.
Before he could speak, the door flew open.
Everything went silent. Chad stared at the
door, his face dropping.
I didn’t turn around, but I felt someone staring
right at me.
I grabbed Alex and started toward the door.
As I passed the doorway, someone grabbed
my wrist.
Г
“Aren’t you gonna stay for dinner?”
“Nah.”
The hand on my wrist tightened slightly.
Ashley seemed to laugh. “Don’t you have
anything to say to me?”
“Nope.”
“…Okay.”
Ashley let go.
The door closed, leaving the hallway silent.
I kept walking.
Then I heard footsteps behind me.
<
“It’s raining.”
