Chapter 25: Love.is a Luxury
Wearing two layers of white chemise, I put on a poplin dress and a Spencer jacket tightly over them. Even though I completely wrapped my shoulders and back with a thick shawl made of wool, I was shivering when I left the house.
Today is the coldest day of the winter so far this year. I didnt want to get sick again from the terrible fever, so I tightened my shawl and hastened my steps.
Before heading to the downtown coffee shop, I stopped by Violas house. It was my intention to invite my best friend, who is in unprecedented sorrow over a recent breakup, to go to Antress with .
In fact, its dangerous to lock yourself up in your room when youre sad. Especially for a person like Viola who is naturally bright and cheerful.
When it ca to things like this, I felt a responsibility towards Viola to model ways to cheer her up since I was older and we were best friends.
The ingredients needed to overco sadness are simpler than expected. Friends, walks, and a cup of warm coffee. The effect has already been proven by many of my experiences. These three things are definitely helpful.
I went there with that confidence.
Im fine, l.
Viola turned down. In a hoarse voice as if swallowing sand.
Viola
What do you an youre okay, with swollen eyes? Even with that thought, there was nothing I could do but clench my hand tightly.
I just I just need ti to think alone. Dont worry too much.
Her dry face, shriveled up, was now smiling at helplessly. It was a soft tone, but I was heartbroken because I could only hear her asking to leave. I already prepared my shoulders and ears for you to lean on.
Of course, there may be monts when you want to be lost in thought alone. Without any interference. However, I couldnt help but feel worried even though I knew that.
Its not about anyone else, but about my only best friend, Viola Graham.
If you need my help, please let know. Whenever and whatever it is.
Yes. Still, its much better to see your face. Thank you.
Viola whispered in a hoarse voice. Now I have nothing more to say. I have no choice but to hug her body that is half a span smaller than . I only hoped that my sincerity would reach her and she would return to being the bright and cheerful woman as soon as possible.
* * *
Heading to the coffee shop alone I breathed in the cold air, I was constantly preoccupied with the idea of love.
What is love?
There are other valuable and precious things in life besides love. It may seem ridiculous for a young girl to say this, but as a body that has suffered one death, I can say it for sure.
That being alive is wonderful in itself.
So, even if the present reality feels unhappy and lonely, I still think it is worth living.
Its like that even now. Because Im alive, I can admire the scene where the sun hidden behind the clouds pulls out a brilliant silver thread, and I can also feel a innate sense of the cold wind entering and exiting my lungs.
The sound of my cheerful steps on the stone streets of the city with my old heels sounds as lovely as a dance song. And my light wavy hair swaying behind my back makes feel so good.
So, a life without love cannot be a failure. Without trying to find any grand aning, without being thirsty for soones recognition, you are already precious because you are alive.
In my past life and even now, I have always been ordinary and timid, but this is the reason why I am willing to endure and cherish myself like this.
Surely, just because you dont know true love doesnt an you dont know the value of life.
Passing through the empty alley, I muttered with a muffled voice. I have no choice but to admit how great the feeling of love is, even though I have never experienced it.
Everyone agrees. When it cos to love, its amazing and ecstatic and makes you feel as if youre walking on the water. Ive already heard countless tis that people finally found the aning of life through love.
In the end, its back to square one.
Thanks to the person I admire, if it feels like Im in tears several tis a day and then Im happy, Ive also tasted it with unrequited love. Certainly it is magical. Even if its not a very pleasant experience.
But what is it like being born in that world like? I dont know.
Love
From what Ive seen and heard, I suddenly thought that love might be like a deep sea. Sothing absolutely overwhelming, beautiful, and infinitely humbling
At the sa ti, if you go in too deep, you might be swallowed, or might lose yourself forever without getting out.
But if thats really love, wouldnt that be okay? If you get lost in love, there may be no more perfect rest.
No, maybe its the opposite. You might go crazy because of that bursting happiness, or because of hell-like anxiety..
.. huh?
When I ca to my senses, I was in front of Antris. I had already walked for an hour, forgetting about the cold.
I couldnt believe I thought about love the whole ti to understand and chase away my ruminations on the stalkers disgusting nature.
.
Its a luxury.
* * *
The server, who wore a wrinkle-free white shirt, a black vest, and undistorted pomade hair, had a bewildered face. This was the second ti that surprised him.
For .you have a question?
He was definitely on duty, but I decided to rely on the kindness and goodwill he had shown so far.
Yes.
Above all, I was nervous about eting him separately outside because I couldnt rule out the possibility that he might be the stalker.
It wont take long. So if you can sit in front of for a second.
The streets of Florin, which were hit by the freezing cold, were quiet. Naturally, there were only a few tables occupied here in Antress. So I thought he would say yes without difficulty.
Im sorry, but I cant do that, Miss.
Ah
All my actions stopped because of his unexpected firm refusal. Why is he refusing? Is he really.
Then the server added.
Im on duty right now and Im also wearing a uniform.
.
No matter how many custors there are, its not the right thing to do. Instead, Ill stand like this and listen to you.
I just blinked several tis at his unexpected remarks.
If its a sensitive story, please tell quietly. Ill lean down and listen.
At this point, I already felt it. This man wont be a stalker.
In the llow piano lody, a quiet conversation between the server and continued. He listened to talking about the stalker disturbance with his upper body leaning down neatly. Sotis he nodded, and sotis he was surprised and asked back.
He seed embarrassed that I had thought that maybe he might have been the stalker, but after hearing all the circumstances, he understood .
Im really sorry if I was rude..
I understand, Miss. Imagine how scary it must have been. Rather, in order to relieve you of any anxiety I want to reassure you that I am not your stalker.
He looked at with his pale gray eyes. There were no lies, but only worry and concern in his eyes.
As you know, I work here every day of the week. Oh, I also have a lover I am devoted to. For your information.
My lover is not a woman.
When he added in a low voice, I was taken by surprise. I was grateful. I did not know that he would reveal his private secrets that could be used against himjust to alleviate my anxiety.
Then!
However, this reaction would not be polite. I struggled to hide my expression.
You did.
If youre so nervous, will you let help you?
Yes How? No, why?
The server smiled quietly at , when I expressed how surprised I was with my whole body.
Youre a regular custor, and in the spirit of custor service theres nothing I cant help you with as an employee here.
Oh
If you tell the stalkers description, Ill always keep that in mind and look out for him. As I said, I spend most of my ti here.
If he cos out like this, there is no reason to refuse. I quickly opened my lips.
He has long, bright red hair.
Miss.
The server narrowed the forehead gently.
Thats not the stalker. The young girl you asked about before
..No, its not that woman.
I cant believe he suddenly reminded of my crushs lover. I got a little embarrassed, but I tried hard to continue.
That stalker is a man. He is tall and usually wears black. He is not dressed like a rag.
A tall man with long red hair.
The server, who murmured in a low voice, looked up at the chandelier hanging from the ceiling for a mont and then turned to .
Well, I think I know who youre talking about.
..You know?
His unexpected reaction opened my eyes so wide that it couldnt get any bigger.
However, the server had a slightly complicated expression.
But if you say hes your stalker I cant agree with you.
Why?
Because hes the owner of this place.
Ow? (Owner)
The red-haired man is the owner of the Antris coffee shop?
I just licked my lips with a blank face as if I had been hit on my head with a blunt weapon.
There are tis when he cos in that way, but no matter when and how he cos, Ive been ordered to treat him like a normal custor.
.
Of course, he has no reason to be a stalker.
I just couldnt understand where the conviction ca from. How great and noble the owner of Antris is.
Who is he?
Oh Dont you know?
However, the servers voice sounded rather strange.
Although it was only last month that he bought Antris, I thought you would have heard it because it was quite noisy.
I didnt hear it.
No matter how socially isolated I wasEven recently, there were many days when I was afraid to go out and lock myself in the houseI didnt care anymore.
Now, theres nothing to be ashad of or hide. With that mind, I continued to talk straight away.
So can you tell ?
..Its Mr. Leopold, Miss.
But his answer wasnt anything I guessed.
Mr. Leopold, he took over this place.
***
Read latest Chapters at Wuxia World. Site Only
Comnts from Korean readers:
He bought a store to see the girl he is interested in.
Soone who has no reason to be a stalker. Its so suspicious and it makes it even more suspicious.
He is rich. Using money for stalking, too.
Wow .his flex man.
Reviews
All reviews (0)