Shirley felt like her heart was in someone else''s grip, tightening with every step closer she took.


    In the end, she decided against greeting him. After all, their time together had only been a year and a half-a mere blip in the grand tapestry of Abner''s eventful life. That brief period was hardly worth remembering. Perhaps Abner had already forgotten about her.


    She lowered her eyshes, nning to quietly slip past him.


    But just as she took a step away, she heard his voice.


    It had a rity to it, different from before, yet the way he called her name was still so tender.


    "Shirley, are you nning to just walk by without saying hi?"


    Shirley froze, her eyes welling up instantly.


    Slowly, she turned around and saw Abner leaning against the wall, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on her.


    She tried to muster a smile, wanted to say, "Oh, it''s you, Abner. You''re back."


    But her throat felt choked up, and she couldn''t say a word.


    She opened her mouth, then pressed her lips together and sighed.


    Abner slowly approached.


    Shirley felt a shadow envelop her. He seemed taller now, probably around six foot two, standing next to her, an imposing presence.


    "Shirley, you haven''t forgotten me, have you? It''s Abner."


    As if she could forget.


    She had asked many about him, but just like that man had said, she and Abner were from two different worlds. No matter how much she inquired, his whereabouts remained a mystery. Even this encounter would likely be brief.


    "It''s been a while, Abner."


    Shirley managed an awkward smile. "You here for the dinner too?"


    Abner''s eyes darkened, and he lowered hisshes.


    "Yeah."


    Not knowing what else to say, Shirley fell silent until he asked, "Are you married? Should I be getting you a wedding gift?"


    "No, not married. Don''t even have a boyfriend."


    Abner was quiet for a moment, then smiled slightly. "Really? I thought you and Mark had gotten together."


    Shirley remembered how harshly she had spoken to Abner back then, all for the sake of marrying Mark.


    "He ended up marrying someone else. Both are quite happy."


    "Shirley, let me take you out for dinner."


    After a moment''s thought, Shirley nodded. "Give me a second to grab my purse." Saying that, she quickly turned around, as if worried Abner might change his mind.


    Her colleagues seemed anxious to see her go, knowing well that tonight''s host had invited Shirley with a particr intention in mind. A prominent schr had taken an interest in Shirley, hoping to y matchmaker.


    But Shirley didn''t seem interested and, after apologizing, left with her purse.


    Seeing Abner still waiting in the hallway, she breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at him. "Let''s go."


    They found another restaurant and ordered some food.


    But having not seen each other for five years, conversation didn''t flow easily.


    Shirley dared not probe too much, only mentioning some school events that happened after he aced his exams.


    But Abner seemed disinterested, responding with nomittal hums.


    Shirley talked on her own for a while before realizing he wasn''t too engaged. Maybe he had only invited her to dinner out of politeness, not expecting her to ept. Now, both felt a bit awkward.


    Suddenly feeling out of ce, Shirley put down her fork.


    "I''m full."


    Abner looked up, his gaze settling on her face.


    Shirley awkwardly looked away. "Am I keeping you? You must be pretty busy these days."


    Abner also put down his utensils. "Aren''t you at all interested in what I''ve been up to these past five years?" "Why wouldn''t she ask?


    Shirley felt a flush of


    embarrassment. After five years, the


    once shy boy seemed to have grown assertive, leaving her unsure of how to respond. N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    "I..."


    "Shirley, I''ve missed you."