12
Menu
Six years later.
In a quiet bar far from the bustling
urban area of London.
My parents, once again fretting over my supposed struggles in a foreign land, wired me a substantial sum of money. I
finally snapped.
“Mom, Dad, I’ve told you countless
times, I’m fine here. Don’t worry, and
stop sending me money!”
I was exasperated. Six years ago, I changed my name to Evelyn and started over. My parents were worried I wasn’t
doing well living here by myself, and over
the years, all they did was send me money.
0 12:06
0.0%
< 12
Menu
With their money, I opened this bar near
the university. Business was steady;
regulars graduated, and new ones arrived.
Life was good.
But their increasingly frequent
transfers sparked a growing unease.
Though living in another country, I’d
kept tabs on events back home. I knew
what had transpired over the past six
years.
Mrs. Gatesby passed away the day
before Karry became a business tycoon in
town. I regretted not seeing her one last
time, but I valued my life more.
Karry was incredibly successful, just as the novel had described. That was why I‘
d minimized contact with my parents
D 12:06
19.0%
< 12
Menu
to avoid suspicion and ruining my six
years of careful planning.
However, according to the novel, he
should have been with Celia by now, yet
he remained single. I heard he was
keeping my ashes and carrying them
everywhere. Those who didn’t know the
truth kept praising him for his devotion,
but I couldn’t shake the feeling that he
had ulterior motives.
A chill ran down my spine. I resolved. to limit further contact with my parents.
Suddenly, a hand tapped the bar
counter. I turned, meeting a pair of deep,
familiar eyes.
“Margarita, please.”
@12:06
41.0%
< 12
Menu
The eyes, the features – so familiar that I could picture them with my eyes closed. The voice that had accompanied
me through countless nights made my
heart beat wildly. I froze.
“Excuse me?”
Karry raised an eyebrow and spoke to
me again, this time louder.
I hastily ended my call with my
parents, a surge of annoyance washing over me. I knew that increased contact
with them would eventually lead to this. I
just didn’t expect him to arrive so swiftly,
so unexpectedly.
Maintaining my composure, I
gestured towards the “Closed” sign.“We’re
closed.”
012:06
61.4%
<12
Menu
He chuckled, turning the sign to
reveal the “Open” side. A mischievous
glint sparkled in his eyes.“If I’m not
mistaken, the ‘Closed‘ sign only counts if
this side is facing the customers.”
My eyes widened. I’d forgotten to flip the sign. My face flushed crimson. I snatched the sign and flipped it back.
“There. Sir, we’re closed. You may come to another bar if you want a drink.”
I returned to my tasks, but the man
refused to leave. Suddenly, he
asked, “Have we met somewhere before?”
12.06
100.0%
<13
13
