12 His Situation

Seeing her long-lost friend made Anoi dumbfounded. And while the girl dressed in purple was shouting and dragging her inside the café, Anoi was taking in the features of Jackie's face.

That car crash was a part of painful past, that the heart tried its best to ignore. The passing of the only person that didn't cast Anoi away threw her off the track for months. Yet, all she could do was surpass the pain with another workload and move on, whilst secretly drowning herself in guilt.

Ah, yes, Anoi blamed herself. Not a day would go by without Anoi mentally breaking down in self-blame.

Because she did nothing.

She wasn't even there, near Jackie when she took her last breath.

If only, if only Anoi was the one to drive. If only she persuaded Jackie not to go to the concert…

If only she could do something to prevent it all! Alas, no one knew that such thing would take place.

But now, the situation changed. The car crash will not happen. The car crash can not happen.

The purple-clothed figure wasn't aware of all those solemn thoughts circling around her and hurriedly pushed her absent-minded bestie to stand before the table.

At this point, Anoi became aware of the male sitting in front of her. Before, she didn't notice him from the streets because of the plant standing between him and the window. Truth be told, the girl did feel bed towards the guy that was called to the date, but upon seeing who it was, she relaxed and went forward to shake his outstretched hand.

"Anoi, this is Shad. Originally, he's the one I wanted to introduce you to. But Shad… He… Ah, Shad, explain yourself! I'm going out to call your friend inside," Jackie exclaimed and quickly run away.

Anoi was confused by Jackie's uncomfortable behavior and send a questioning gaze forward.

Shad's body stiffened as he began explaining.

"Miss Anoi." His gaze filled with determination. "I apologize for the trouble, but I am unable to be your dating partner. To tell you honestly, I am not and will not be interested in this gathering. The only reason I showed up is because I wanted to properly explain myself, face to face. I heard about your firm friendship with Jackie and would hate to ruin it because of my situation."

Shad was taken aback to see the calm demeanor of the woman in front of him. She did not appear angry nor surprised. In fact, she looked as if she knew all along that he would say this.

"I…" and just as he wanted to continue, he was interrupted.

"I know your situation," Anoi said.

"You, you do??" Shad almost chocked on his saliva. How?? How does she know? He hid it so well for years!