Chapter 138 - Apologies in Cash (1/2)

Sometimes we are in a dilemma with our own feelings. For instance, it's hard to determine whether we are haunted by the memories of the people we lost or we are haunted by the time when we didn't have to fake smiles - the time when we were a happy person.

Staring back at Dylan's face, Nora was also conflicted. For the first time, she realized that she was scared of both- the memories of people and the person she used to be. But most of all, she was scared of how his appearance could scrumble down the facade she got comfortable with.

Looking at her dazed expression, Dylan clicked his fingers before her eyes and said, ”Cartwright, are you that dazzled to see me?”

Nora's brows knitted together as she noticed his cheeky expression. ”Woah! What happened to you?” She lifted her hands and squished his cheeks as she added in distress, ”What's up with this hoodlum manners? Where is the sweet, cute, and sensitive Hedi that I used to know?”

”Oh, I'm sorry if I disappointed you,” said Dylan sarcastically.

”But I only accept apologies in cash,” replied Nora making Dylan's face twitch while Xiu laughed at the side.

Giving her best friend a thumbs up, she said, ”That was a good one.”

Dylan observed Nora's face for a moment longer before saying, ”You also don't look like the teenage fangirl I remember.”

The smile on Nora's face stiffened. She sat down on the empty chair and picked up a glass of water for herself. She could feel Dylan's inquiring eyes on herself but she wasn't planning on saying anything before everyone.

”How do you guys know each other?” The question was asked by Xiu who had never seen both Dylan and Nora so quiet before.

Nora and Dylan shared a look before Dylan answered, ”We met at an old age home seven years back when both of us were volunteering there during summer vacations.”

Xiu gave Dylan a weird look as she said, ”You and volunteering? Why is it so hard to believe?”

Dylan rolled his eyes at her and was about to say something when Darren beat him to it, ”He didn't go willingly. His mother forced him to do so.”

Xiu had a look of 'thought-so' on her face with a smug smile.

”Why don't you ask your best friend as well? She also wasn't there because of her love for humanity. She went just to see... OW!” Before Dylan could spill all the beans, Nora kicked his knee from under the table while glaring at him in a warning. ”What was that for?!” Dylan wanted to holler but he could only whisper yell at Nora for such insolence.

”Watch what you say! Just because we haven't met in a couple of years doesn't mean I have forgotten all the secrets you shared with me,” was Nora's reply to him with a sly smile. ”Besides, I'm sure I'll find those pictures of yours somewhere if I tried looking. Do you want me to publish those pictures for the world to see?”

Dylan scoffed but he didn't know whether he was scoffing at her or himself. ”No wonder you both are best friends.” He said looking at Xiu and Nora. He shook his head before leaning close to her and saying, ”My ice cream buddy, don't forget that I have your deepest darkest secrets buried in my heart as well. Don't test me as well.”