Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Raymond slowly left the Umberbridge mansion. His whole body trembled from the flashbacks of his memories he still could not bear. Being beside Amanda reminded him of Arnold because their similar faces and gestures made his PTSD symptoms getting worse. He knew that sooner or later, his symptoms would only get worse if he did not continue his treatment. The psychiatrist who treated him in the past also warned him of the risks he would face if he stopped his treatment sessions in the middle. But, did he have any choice now, after he knew that his friend's younger sister was in danger? He was not in the position to decide. At least, he considered what he was doing now as part of his effort to make amends for the mistakes he had made. His chest ached until he hit his chest several times to suppress his pain.

The pain was spreading almost his entire body, so he had to pause for a moment, leaning against one of the alleys around the shop where he was now, to calm himself. His body sank downward, leaning against the wall behind him. He paid no attention to the strange gazes of the few pedestrians who passed him. His mind turned back to Hazel. Was that woman still mad at him? He did not know what happened that made Hazel get angry with him, but he thought he deserved it. Hazel was a good woman. He could not use Hazel's kindness on himself. That woman must have been disappointed in him for showing a weak side that he might subconsciously show in front of her.

He took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. He did that many times until the symptoms disappeared. After he felt better, he took out his smartphone, opened his smartphone screen and was disappointed to find that there was not a single message from Hazel, then shoved the smartphone in the pocket. This was their first fight since they officially dated three weeks ago. Maybe after their first fight, Hazel would cut her ties with him. Then leave his side and look for someone much more worthy and reliable than him…

Raymond shook his head quickly, hit the back of his head against the wall, and got up from where he was sitting earlier. How could he do that? He was the first one to chase after Hazel. Could he be able to leave Hazel? True, he should not think about negative things. He had better get home right away and try again to apologize to Hazel for the mistake he made—whatever it was. If necessary, he would bow down to Hazel until she forgave him. Yes, he could not lose Hazel.

He walked out of the hall, back down the path, continuing to think about the best scenario to make Hazel not angry with him.

‘Raymond?’

His reverie was shattered when he heard someone call his name. He turned to find that the person who had called him earlier was Edward Groningen, the cafe manager where he and Hazel worked, who was rushing over to him. He looked around, noticing that his feet were leading him down the path to the cafe. His eyes watched Edward who seemed to catch his breath after running earlier before finally putting on a smile that looked so dazzling to his eyes. Who would have thought that behind the stern face that the cafe manager always displayed having a smile that could make him fascinated by it?

‘Just finished the work?’ said Raymond, trying to escape the fact that he had just been bewitched by Edward's smile, stepping forward toward Edward. His hand moved spontaneously over Edward's messy hair, then smiled with satisfaction as he finished. He stepped away from Edward a little bit, realizing that this was the first time he had seen Edward wearing casual clothes. That blue-grey turtleneck sweater covers his high neck, combined with a light brown faux fur coat and black trousers, and ankle boots in a matching colour with his trousers make Edward look younger than the work uniform he always wore.

Wait a second. Since when he became this close with Edward? Argh, why did he tidy up Edward's messy hair back earlier?

Damn these hands!

‘It should be my day off. But suddenly I was asked to take care of the stock for the next month,’ Edward replied casually, not realizing that Raymond looked surprised by Edward's open attitude.

‘Poor you…’

‘You alone? Why are you here?’

Raymond looked away from Edward, rubbing the nape of his neck. ‘Me? Ng, I had a little business here.’

‘Oh, okay. Shall I take you home? I also want to take a little walk.’

‘Eh? Ah, no need! I can…’ Raymond paused for a moment, staring at Edward who was waiting for his answer. Edward's offer was not bad. It would be much better to go home with Edward than to go home alone. ‘If you don't mind with that?'

Edward laughed softly as soon as he heard the answer. 'I don't mind at all.’

His heart was pounding a little. It felt strange, seeing the usually stern-faced manager turn into the gentle type. Even take initiative to walk him home. Edward invited him to walk first, and he obeyed. All the way home, he occasionally peeked at Edward, surprised to see Edward, who looked happy to walk beside him. Why was this guy so happy just because he accompanied him to go home? Very weird.

The atmosphere was suddenly awkward because none of them took the initiative to open a conversation.

Come on, get the topic, Raymond. Search for topics. Anything…

‘Ah, by the way…’

Both he and Edward were startled, looking at each other as soon as they found out that they opened their voices almost simultaneously.

‘You go first,’ said Edward.

‘Oh, okay,’ Raymond stroked the nape of his neck, awkwardly. ‘Actually, there is something I wanted to ask from the first.’

‘Yes?’

‘Why did Manager work at the cafe? Is it because Manager likes sweets?’

‘How about you? Do you like sweets?’

‘I love it, especially when it is low in calories.'

‘Okay, I'll try to remember that.’

Edward's response reminded him of Hazel. What is Hazel doing at home right now? Was that woman waiting for him in the apartment? He was stunned, realizing that Edward was not answering his question, but instead threw his question back. He narrowed his eyes at Edward. ‘Why did you throw my question back, Manager?’

‘You realized it? Sorry, sorry,’ Edward laughed softly at him. ‘There is no special reason. In fact, I actually hate sweets.’

Seriously? Then why did you choose to work at the cafe!?

He could not help but comment on Edward's reasons. As if he knew what he was thinking, Edward continued his words. ‘I took this job because I had no other choice. The owner of our cafe is my paternal uncle. In short, I owe a debt of gratitude, so I work there.’

‘Oh.’

‘Isn't that strange? Why did I also tell all of these?’ Edward looked up, looking at the falling snow on the Cirillo City. ‘But I understand now why Hazel always leaves a few portions to take home. Insisted on making low-calorie sweets until my uncle was confused and forced to agree with it. I’m so jealous of you.’

Eh?

Was Edward interested in Hazel? But hearing Edward's words made him a little happy, knowing another side of Hazel.

‘Really?

Edward looked back at him, nodding. ‘You guys are dating, right?’

‘Eh?’ Raymond was surprised at Edward's sudden question. ‘Ah, yes. You know?’

‘Yeah. But it’s such a pity, eh?’ Edward took a deep breath.

Who were Edward's words actually aimed at? In what context? Could it be that this guy was attracted to Hazel? It must be so. From his disappointed face when he heard the answer earlier, it was clear that Edward had a feeling for Hazel.

‘So where's Hazel? You didn’t go on dates? It's your day off,’ said Edward, raising his eyebrow.

‘She was angry because I was late to pick her up yesterday.’

‘Angry?’

His expression was completely out of sync with the question that was rushing from this man's lips. He could even see Edward trying to hold back his laughter at his explanation, making him smile wryly.

‘Even though I already apologized. Do you know anything?’

‘Good.’

Raymond heard Edward mutter to himself, looking even more pleased, then hastily added the moment he realized Raymond heard it. ‘Wh-What I mean, maybe the problem isn't with you, it's with Hazel. It could be possible that Hazel was not angry at you, right?’

He regretted his decision to ask Edward. It really looked like this guy was after Hazel. This man must have hoped he would break up with Hazel soon.

‘Forget about my question,’ Raymond walked ahead of Edward, disappointed at himself for asking his rival. He did not expect that his manager was so cunning. It must have been Edward desperately approaching him so he could get closer to Hazel smoothly. That must have been the cause of the strange feeling he had lately every time he saw Edward. It must be so.

Raymond was now dwelling on his own thoughts, thinking of the right way to get rid of his new rival. He stopped in his tracks when his nose caught a familiar scent. Raymond's intuition alerted him to an imminent danger. His hand pulled Edward to cover behind him, not giving Edward a chance to ask why he was doing it, while his eyes darted around the path that was close to his apartment building. Quiet. No one crossed this path apart from the two of them. He tried to concentrate his sense of smell on the scent that was getting stronger and stronger. The same scent as the people who had stalked Amanda a few weeks ago.

‘Raymond? Please answer my question. What happens?’

He ignored the questions Edward asked repeatedly. His hands were clenched into fists, and he immediately got into a stance. There was no weapon or item that he could use as a weapon, so the only way to deal with those people was with his bare hands. The success rate is only thirty percent. Slightly reluctant, he glanced at Edward, who remained calm, standing behind him as if he had entrusted everything to Raymond. He did think of Edward as a rival, but not to the point where he let him die of being involved in his troubles. This place had absolutely no openings to make Edward safe. Shit!

‘Shut up and don't ask any questions.’

Edward obliged, did not continue asking him again. His smartphone suddenly rang loudly, losing his concentration. He was forced to pick up the call after he tried to ignore it.

‘Brother Ray! Finally you take my call! Guess where am I now?’

He glared, pushed his smartphone away from his ear, to find that the owner of the number was Verdict Walter, Arnold Walter's younger brother. How did that man get his number? Wait a second. He knew perfectly well who the only person who could do it. Damn ...

‘I don’t know, and I don’t want to know. Bye.’

‘Wai—’

He hung up the call, not giving Verdict a chance to talk. That man, as usual, could never read the situation at all. He shoved his smartphone again into his pocket, then growled when he saw a group of people whom he had smelled their scents appeared before him, complete with their weapons.

'Ra ... Raymond?'

And now, the man who was standing behind him lost his cool.

***