บท 14: Chapter 14 Old and Cold Jokes_1
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"Damn it! He's relentless." Officer Cade glared at him from afar, muttered under her breath, "Shameless bastard, I'll remember you." Seizing the moment when someone prepared to take a picture, she quickly revved up her motorcycle and sped away.
After she left, the onlookers who were unaware of the true situation recovered their senses. They wanted to inquire about the incident from Yves King, another person involved. But they found that the man who had just called out to his wife not to leave disappeared mysteriously.
Adjusting his windbreaker, Yves King quietly re-emerged at the entrance of the residential area, feeling wonderful and thought to himself, "Such a naïve and adorable policewoman. Can she even be a cop without a sense of shame?"
However, this joyful moment blew away many of his unpleasant memories stirred by this street, making him feel much better.
Some say, even though happiness is beautiful, it often doesn't last long. This rule is especially true in his life.
"Maeve, be good, stop crying. I'll buy you something tasty, and then we'll go home and sleep, okay?" A soft and calm voice floated into Yves King's ears.
He turned his head abruptly, there on the side of the wide road, a woman in a white cashmere sweater and grey knee-length skirt was crouching, gently trying to soothe a three or four-year-old little girl.
Even after many years, even if he only saw her profile, Yves King recognized her at first glance. Just like an electric current flowing through his entire body, he stood there, numb and unable to move.
His heart and breath stopped in that moment, making his complexion slightly pale. His hands, tucked in his pockets, started shaking uncontrollably.
In the past five years, during the solitary moments he spent imagining all the possible scenarios for their reunion. Even just now, walking on this road, he felt anxious expectations lurking in his heart.
He opened his mouth wanting to call out her name. But when the words got to his lips, he couldn't utter them. He thought that after years of trials and tribulations he could maintain his composure in any situation. But apparently, he had overestimated himself. A thread of fear coursed through Yves King. He feared she would turn her head, feared seeing again her sorrow-filled eyes struggling to smile.
He seldom avoided problems. Although he knew they would meet someday as long as they both were alive, he wished that day would come as late as possible. Yves King unconsciously stepped back.
"Okay, I want the same as that uncle, the date cake." The little girl, with sharp eyes, saw the distinctive box of date cake in Yves King's hand and sweetly called out.
At that moment when Yves King internally cursed his luck, she lifted her long hair, revealing her calm and natural face, and looked up at Yves King.
He prayed that his drastic changes over the past five years coupled with the dim light would prevent her from recognizing him. Yves King was nervous, as if caught red-handed.
But if he could recognize her in an instant, why couldn't she recognize him at first sight? When her gaze caught his face, her expression froze. It felt like a hammer had hit her heart. Unconsciously she clutched her chest, her face blanching white, her eyes filled with panic and pain.
Seeing her like this, Yves King also felt a pain in his heart. He knew this fragile woman had always had a weak heart since childhood. Any extreme emotion would trigger her angina. Although non-fatal, it would choke her with pain.
He took a step forward, intending to support her when the adorable little girl named Maeve noticed her mother's distress. She hurriedly hugged her mother worriedly, "Mommy, is your heart hurting again? It's Maeve's fault. Maeve doesn't want the date cake anymore, Maeve will go to bed obediently. Your heart will stop hurting."
The little girl's words were like a bolt from the blue, sending a jolt through him. Mommy, mommy? She, she already... He wanted to help her, but she who was already married, probably wouldn't let him touch her anymore, right?
Seems like the panicked cry of the girl named Maeve diverted her attention and helped her regain some color. Holding the girl's small hand, she murmured, "Maeve, mommy is okay, mommy will buy you the date cake."
Her eyes had already shifted away from Yves King, seemingly in a quite offhand manner. Holding Maeve's little hand, her head down, she walked past Yves.
Time seems to pause in that exact moment.
Their figures intertwined and passed by each other, just like they did five years ago.
The incredibly cute girl, as if noticing Yves' gaze, took a curious look at the man in the trench coat.
"Maeve, for you." Yves' voice is husky and deep as he tried to put on a friendly demeanor. But he seemed to lack a natural charm. The little girl was startled, hiding behind her mother. Darting quick glances at Yves with her adorable bright eyes, widening at the sight of the jujube cake.
"This is the last piece of jujube cake left, Auntie Zimmer doesn't have any more." Yves King seemingly breathed a sigh of relief. After all, she's married now, found her own happiness. Hence, much of his guilt towards her could dissipated. Regardless of the considerable pain he once caused. It all started with a jujube cake back then. Now, it should end with one.
"Huh?" Maeve showed a look of disappointment, her eyes agape at the cake in Yves' hand. Pressing tightly on her mother's hand, she cooed, "Mummy, can I?"
"Well then, thank you, sir." She tried to act unaffected, her voice trembling slightly, as if giving something away.
"Thank you, uncle!" Maeve, unaware of the peculiar and awkward atmosphere between the adults, happily took the jujube cake from Yves King and sweetly thanked him.
"Goodbye, Maeve, you are a good girl."
"Goodbye, uncle!"
Yves King puts both hands in his pockets, tipped his hat to her with a smile, His strides were long and rapid, heading into the building complex. As she too carried on forward holding Maeve's hand. Until Yves' figure completely disappeared in the night. The tears she had been forcing back for a long time uncontrollably rolled down her cheeks, blurring her vision until she could no longer see the path in front of her and knelt on the ground, sobbing quietly.
"Mummy, what's wrong?" Maeve, a bit anxious, hugged her, "Why are you crying? Did Maeve do something wrong? Maeve shouldn't have taken that stranger uncle's jujube cake."
"It's not your fault, Maeve." She tightly embraced Maeve, tears falling as she tremblingly comforted, "There's just something in my eye. The tears will wash it out."
"Mummy, have a piece of jujube cake. It's really sweet. If you eat it, your eyes won't hurt anymore."
"Mm, Maeve, you're such a good and sensible girl."
...
"Phew!" When Yves King made it back to his apartment, he felt like a soldier who had just fled the battlefield. The unexpected encounter had drained all his mental energy. His heart feels hollow, sapping all his strength, leaned against the door for support. He remembered an old joke, where a man ran into his first love on the street, only to be called "uncle" by her child. At this thought, Yves couldn't help but to chuckle at his own expense. The sensor light turned off, plunging the hallway into darkness.
Only his cigarette, hanging from his mouth, flickered like a lone star.
Perhaps in the darkness, his heart found a sense of peace and ease. Did he sink too deep? Perhaps.
After an indeterminate amount of time, his phone began to buzz. Wrinkling his brow, he knew not many people had his number since his return home. As a few names flashed through his mind, he checked his phone. Ah, as expected, it was Old Miller.
After answering the call, and listening to Old Miller ramble joyfully, Yves' tone became cold, his voice hoarse and low, "Old Miller, are you trying to set me up weasel?"
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