Chapter 45
Moira ran out of the private room.
It wasn’t until she stepped outside Carmen’s Kitchen that she realized she shouldn’t have just bolted like that. She hadn’t done anything wrong. But now, if she went back, no one would listen to her side of the story.
The rain started pouring again. The Maybach was stuck in traffic, barely moving an inch.
Rainy days always made the trattic feel even worse. Perry could already picture Virgil rubbing his forehead in frustration.
Summoning some courage, he glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Virgil on the phone. He had dialed one number, but it didn’t connect, so he dialed another.
Perry thought, Who would dare not answer Mr. Morton’s call? Even if they’d forgotten their phone, that would still be unforgivable! Perry could already imagine the poor soul’s fate–he was definitely finished.
The light turned green, and the cars ahead began moving slowly. Perry followed suit, speeding up as they approached the intersection. As the light was about to change again, he pressed the accelerator, driving through just in time.
Once they passed the intersection, the road ahead cleared up. Perry felt his mood lift a little.
“Stop the car!” Suddenly, Virgil’s voice came from behind him.
Perry instinctively slammed on the brakes, his body reacting before his mind could catch up. The tires screeched against the pavement as they came to a halt.
The force of the sudden stop sent Perry lurching forward, but the seatbelt caught him, jerking him back into his seat. Before he could steady his Breathing, Virgil spoke again, “Get out.”
“Uh… Perry glanced at the weather outside. A flash of lightning split the dark sky, making his heart jump. He thought, ‘It is raining heavily–what does Mr. Morton plan to do in this weather?‘
Not daring to ask any questions, Perry quickly grabbed an umbrella and got out of the car. Virgil opened the door. Perry, a little confused, hurried to hold the umbrella over him.
After Virgil stepped out of the car, he took the umbrella from Perry and climbed into the driver’s seat. Perry still didn’t understand, but before he could ask, the car started moving again—Virgil was reversing it.
There was a bus stop nearby. It was past nine, and only a few people stood there.
Virgil parked the car, opened the door, and stepped out, holding the umbrella over himself. He made his way toward the bus stop.
Meanwhile, Moira, head down, was texting Jane. Suddenly, a shadow fell over her. She looked up and saw a pair of leather shoes standing in front of her–wet, with the cuffs of his pants soaked through.
Then, a familiar, low voice came from above. “What are you doing here?”
Moira froze for a moment before slowly looking up. The man was backlit, but his sharp, defined features were unmistakable. It was Virgil.
She opened her mouth, her voice hoarse and dry from crying. “What are you doing here?”
The streetlamp overhead cast a soft glow on them, and Virgil noticed her red eyes and the tear tracks on her cheeks. His expression darkened, and he spoke quietly, “Let’s go home.”
Moira nodded lightly, putting her phone back into her bag. She stood up and followed him.
Before they left the platform, Virgil handed her the umbrella, then took off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders. The fresh, familiar scent of cedar filled the air.
As he took the umbrella from her, his fingers brushed against her hand. Moira felt a sudden jolt of nervousness.
He opened the passenger door for her. After she climbed in, he walked around the car and slid into the driver’s seat.
Perry, watching from a distance, was stunned. Virgil had just left him behind. But he thought, ‘If I am not mistaken, Mr. Morton reversed the car for ber! Mr. Morton had a girlfriend?
$58 PM
