anwhile...
ow.
Zoren turned his head toward the sound, catching a blurry figure standing several steps from his vantage point. His eyesight was bad during daylight, and it was even worse at night. However, he could see sothing moving in her arms.
ow.
He kept his gaze on the figure, watching as she slowly approached. When she was close enough, he caught a whiff of sweet cologne mixed with the scent of tea.
"Renren?"
Deep lines appeared between his brows as his eyes widened slightly. "You are...?"
"It’s ..." she whispered, disbelief in her voice. "What are you... how... have you always been here on Thursdays?"
For a mont, Zoren was silent as he studied the figure before him.
"Penny?" He rose from his seat, surprised. "Is this really you?"
"Renren." The woman took a step forward and stood before him. She looked up, her eyes gleaming with relief. "It’s... it’s really you!?"
His lips stretched into a smile as he reached out, placing his hand on top of her head. "You’ve grown."
"Haha. You too!" she chuckled, stepping back when she heard another ow from her cat. "Renren, do you rember her?"
ow.
Zoren’s eyes fell on her arms, recognizing the familiar color of the cat he rembered. "Chunchun?"
"Haha!" The woman grinned from ear to ear, watching as he shifted his eyes back to her. "So, you rembered her?"
"Of course." His expression softened as he assessed the face looking at him. It was a sha he couldn’t see her clearly, but he could tell she had lost so weight. "Penny, I’m so glad to see you again."
" too. It’s been a while," she replied. "But don’t call Penny anymore. That’s an alias."
"An alias?"
The woman nodded. "I didn’t know you, so I didn’t want to give you my real na." Her smile turned apologetic. "I’m sorry about that."
"Ahh..." Zoren let out a shallow laugh. "Fair enough. So, what should I call you now?"
"You can call ..." The woman trailed off as the corner of her mouth curled up. "Patricia. It’s Patricia Miller."
*
*
*
"Sir, is that really Thursday Girl?!" Benjamin gasped, looking at his boss through the rearview mirror.
When the woman and Zoren t again, they stayed at their eting spot to catch up. They talked for nearly two hours until Patricia had to go ho. Naturally, Zoren offered her a ride, so Benjamin ca to drive the two of them.
After dropping Patricia off at a nearby villa, Benjamin couldn’t stop himself from asking questions.
"Yes," Zoren smiled subtly, his eyes on the window. "That’s her."
Benjamin gasped. "Oh my god! How co she only showed up now?"
"She was abroad," Zoren remarked. "Apparently, her family had to move abroad a year after I left, and since there was no ans of communication between us, she couldn’t tell . She only returned to the country not long ago."
"Oh..." Benjamin nodded, darting his eyes between the rearview mirror and the road. "That’s why no matter how much we searched, we couldn’t find her."
Zoren didn’t respond but kept his eyes on the window.
Silence quickly ensued, which was sothing Benjamin didn’t expect. His boss had been freeing up his schedule every Thursday, so he assud Zoren would be on cloud nine after seeing her again.
But alas...
"Sir, are you okay?" Benjamin asked curiously. "You’re oddly quiet."
"What were you expecting?"
"You would be laughing and jumping for joy?" Benjamin blurted out, biting his tongue, but it was too late.
Zoren let out a short chuckle. "I’m just glad to see her and catch up. I told you, she’s a good friend of mine."
"Did you exchange contacts? Did you ntion your eye problems?"
"No."
"Why?!"
"It was unnecessary. But she asked for my number." Zoren leaned against the window, arms crossed. "She’s changed a bit."
Benjamin sighed. For so reason, he was quieter than ever. Was he depressed? At this point, he wouldn’t be surprised if he was. After all, there had been so many letdowns lately that he felt drained.
When he glanced at the rearview mirror, all he saw was the slight curl at the corner of Zoren’s lips.
’I guess he’s happy... in a way,’ Benjamin sighed for the umpteenth ti today, shifting his focus back to the road.
After a prolonged silence, Zoren’s voice pierced through it. "Ben."
"Yes, sir?"
Zoren didn’t respond imdiately. "Nothing."
"Huh?"
"It’s nothing."
"Oh." Benjamin furrowed his brows, thinking his boss had suddenly changed his mind. What was he trying to say?
"Drop by the Old Residence," Zoren said. "I want to tell Grandma that I finally reunited with Thursday Girl."
"But if you go there, the Chairwoman will be worried!" Benjamin gasped. "Sir, can we not tell her about it for now!"
Zoren furrowed his brows. "You’re being strange, Ben."
"Sir, I’m just worried!" Benjamin panicked. "I an, you just told the Chairman that you’re married, and she’s been disheartened that you wouldn’t let her see your wife! But now, you’re going to tell her about Thursday Girl! I don’t think she will believe you at this point!"
"But Thursday Girl and the marriage are true."
Benjamin choked. "I know they’re true, but just one at a ti! The Chairwoman is aware that you’ve been looking for Thursday Girl. If she hears about this, she might get worried about your marriage!"
"What if I tell her that I’m divorcing my wife for Thursday Girl?" Zoren tilted his head. This ti, the car ca to a full stop.
Benjamin looked back at his boss in disbelief. "Sir! Are you going to marry a stranger?!"
"A stranger? She’s not a stranger."
"Sir, Thursday Girl is soone you know! But it’s been twelve years since you last saw her! You don’t know what kind of person she has beco!" Benjamin was almost panting as he expressed his dismay. "Please, sir, you’re being rash."
"I am being rash."
"Why?"
"Because I’m inconveniencing Miss Penelope with this marriage," Zoren shrugged as he casually answered the question. "She’s been kind enough to let our rudeness pass... don’t you think?"
"But even so..."
"Benjamin," Zoren called solemnly, waiting until he could feel his assistant’s gaze. "Have I ever let you down?"
Benjamin pursed his lips. "No."
"Then let decide on this one." Zoren nodded reassuringly. "I know what I’m doing. Don’t argue with on this anymore."
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