Chapter 310: Chapter 310

On the plane, Shawn Rhodes gave the window seat to Susan Wilde. They sat next to each other, yet it felt like they were complete strangers, as no one started a conversation.

The soothing music played through the headphones, and during the smooth flight, Susan Wilde leaned against the window and fell asleep.

Shawn glanced at her, seemingly hesitating over something, but in the end, he did nothing and allowed her head to rest awkwardly against the hard window.

During the more than ten-hour flight, Susan Wilde was dozing off nearly the entire way.

When they got off the plane, Shawn didn’t wait for her. She just slowly followed behind him as they collected their luggage one after the other.

Their destination was Eldoria, and Susan Wilde didn’t speak French. Looking at the mostly different-race foreigners around her, hearing conversations she couldn’t understand, she didn’t even know where the next place to go after leaving the airport was.

She wasn’t sure if Shawn would still look after her, but she followed him towards the airport exit anyway.

He found the car that came to pick them up, exchanged a few words with the driver, and Susan Wilde hesitated to approach until she saw Shawn turn to look at her, seemingly displeased by her dawdling, waving her over with a frown.

Only then did Susan Wilde drag her suitcase over, and he reached out and took her suitcase, lifting it into the trunk, then said to the driver, "Take her to the hotel first."

He opened the car door, and Susan Wilde climbed in, but he himself didn’t get in.

As Shawn prepared to close the car door, as if he remembered something, he asked her, "Do you speak French?"

Susan Wilde shook her head honestly. He seemed a bit helpless, opened the car door again, motioned her to move over a little.

He didn’t leave her alone at the airport, and Susan Wilde considered this a kindness from him.

Upon reaching the hotel, he communicated fluently in French with the hotel staff, completed the check-in process, and accompanied her upstairs to find her room.

Rowan Alder called him again urging him, and he told the person on the other end, "I’ll be right there," then hung up and said to Susan Wilde, "You’ll stay here for these few days, I won’t be around, get in touch when it’s time to leave."

Susan Wilde nodded, "Okay."

As he turned to leave, he paused, turning back to remind her, "If you want to go out, better go during the daytime, don’t go out at night, and no matter what happens at night, don’t leave your room."

Susan Wilde had seen similar news online, although she didn’t know if such things would happen to her, she didn’t expect Shawn to give these reminders.

As he spoke, he pulled out a wad of Euro from his wallet and handed it to her, leaving a "Let me know when you run out" before turning and walking briskly away.

Looking at the money in her hand and his retreating figure, the word "thanks" reached Susan Wilde’s lips but was swallowed back.

After Shawn left, Susan Wilde felt a sense of relief looking at the comfortable room.

The room was nice, just outside the window was the bustling street, even if she stayed in this room for a week without going anywhere, she felt she could endure it.

She went nowhere on the first day, adjusted to the time difference, and only ventured out near the hotel on the morning of the second day, not daring to go too far, afraid of getting lost and not understanding French.

The pace of life here was much slower, standing on the street corner listening to street performers could easily pass a morning. Walking alone on the street, without talking to anyone, holding her phone to take pictures of the scenery at times, of herself at other times, she remembered those years when she was in a passionate romance.

This was considered her first solo trip, as the previous trips had Owen Bellamy accompanying her, never needing to worry about anything along the way, he would organize the itinerary, book the hotel, and even knew all the best local eateries beforehand, taking her to taste local specialties.

Undeniably, whether his attentiveness was feigned or genuine during that time, his kindness was impeccable, otherwise, Susan Wilde wouldn’t have been so devoted to him.

Finding a Chinese restaurant, unable to get used to Western food, Susan Wilde walked straight in. Hearing Chinese in a foreign country felt especially comforting. The source of this content ɪs novel⚑fire.net

"May I share the table?"

A polite inquiry came from behind, and Susan Wilde turned and smiled, "Of course."

However, seeing the person clearly, the words froze on her lips.

Simon Rhodes sat down across from her, with his gentlemanly demeanor perfectly blending with this romantic city.

At the moment she saw him, beyond surprise, Susan Wilde felt more of a sense of familiarity.

Running into a friend from home in a foreign land, had it not been for their vague relationship, she might have happily chatted with him.

But now, after a long silence, she hesitantly asked, "...Why are you here?"

"Business trip, saw you on the street just now, what a coincidence."

Susan Wilde looked at him, unsure if it was a real "coincidence" or an intentional setup.

"Wanna go for a stroll together this afternoon? I know this area quite well, I could be your free tour guide and translator."

Staring at him, Susan Wilde puzzled, "What is it that you want from me? I find you very strange."

"I also find myself very strange." Simon Rhodes lowered his head, took a sip of tea, and said, "I’ve never been so proactive and bold with any girl, and I never thought I’d become so adamant about one woman."

Raising her eyebrows, Susan Wilde asked, "You like me?"

He arched an eyebrow: "Obviously."

She pushed further, wanting to know, "When did it start?"

He lowered his gaze as if thinking, then replied, "Hard to say, I don’t even know. This feeling of affection, it’s a first for me, not completely understood."

His tone was remarkably sincere, nothing like a slick tongue teasing, more like a teacher seriously discussing philosophical issues with a student.

She didn’t dislike him, though he often put her in awkward positions, sometimes stubborn, but she felt no aversion towards him.

But it wasn’t love; she felt they could only be friends.

"The ring you gave me last time, did you like it?"

"I forgot to bring it, I’ll return it to you when I get back and don’t do such improper things again, it’s not good for anyone if discovered."

However harsh her words sounded, even if she initially erased all his contact details, it appeared to have no effect on him. He seemed to love just motivated by his uncelebrated affection.

"The ring was custom-made for you; once I give it to you, it’s yours. You are free to handle it any way you want, even if you sell it, gift it, or throw it in the trash, no need to return it to me."