"Oh!" Vera Wave gave him an apologetic smile. "I don’t have a business card. Let write my contact information for you."
She reached into her bag, took out a pen, and then searched for paper. Having left in a hurry, she realized her bag didn’t contain anything suitable for writing. Just as she was starting to feel awkward, Nathan Leafcastle extended his palm to her.
"You can write it here!"
Vera lifted her eyes, giving him a sowhat uncertain look.
"On your hand?!"
"When we were little, you always liked to write on my hand," Nathan Leafcastle said, a nostalgic glint in his dark eyes. "You used to say that if you wrote it on my hand, I wouldn’t forget."
"Is that so?"
Vera smiled, then reached out to steady his hand and carefully wrote her phone number on his palm.
The pen tip tickled slightly as it brushed against his skin. Nathan Leafcastle watched her downcast profile, images of the old days flashing before his eyes. His gaze grew deeper.
"Alright, done." After writing the string of numbers, Vera capped her pen and looked up at the road. "Driver, please turn right up ahead and pull over to the curb."
The entrance to her residential community was just ahead, and she didn’t want Nathan Leafcastle to find out about her current embarrassing predicant.
Everyone has their pride, and Vera was no exception.
The driver pulled over and stopped. Nathan Leafcastle opened his door and got out first, and Vera quickly slipped out after him.
"I live in the community just up ahead. Thank you for driving ho."
"Let walk you in."
"No, no, it’s alright." Vera waved her hands hastily. "I’m going now. Goodbye!"
She had only taken a few steps when she heard Nathan Leafcastle’s voice from behind her.
"Vera!"
Vera stopped and turned to look at him. "Mr. Leafcastle, is there anything else?"
Nathan Leafcastle walked up to her and said in a serious tone, "You used to call Brother Nathan."
"Oh." Vera gave a slightly awkward laugh. "Sorry, I... I forgot."
"Vera," Nathan Leafcastle began softly, "actually... I already know about your family’s situation. After I got off the plane yesterday, I went to the old house to look for you. I went there today to attend the auction, not expecting the house to have already been bought. But don’t worry, I’ll do my best to find out who purchased the old house."
As he said this, he raised his hand and gently placed it on her shoulder.
"I’m sorry."
Vera pressed her lips together, then smiled at him again.
"It’s not your fault," she said. "I’ve just been... having a rough ti lately."
Nathan Leafcastle’s fingers gently squeezed her shoulder. "Let walk you in. I’d like to see Grandma too, while I’m at it."
Vera said quietly, "She... she’s not ho. She’s in the hospital. Her health hasn’t been very good lately."
His fingers on her shoulder tightened, and Nathan Leafcastle reached out, drawing her into an embrace.
"I’m sorry, Vera. I... I should have co back sooner."
The scent of an unfamiliar man suddenly enveloped her. Vera instinctively struggled out of his embrace. Sensing her resistance, Nathan Leafcastle frowned slightly.
Vera glanced at his expression and said apologetically, "S-sorry, I... I’m not quite used to this."
"It’s alright." Nathan Leafcastle smiled forgivingly. "I know. To you, I’m still a stranger right now. How about this: you head back first, and I’ll call you tomorrow. We can go visit Grandma in the hospital, okay?"
"Of course." Vera smiled back at him. "Then... you can call tomorrow. Goodbye."
Just as she was about to turn, her cell phone, tucked in her bag, began to ring. Seeing the caller ID "Top Player," Vera quickly answered the call.
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