“It is! I really hadn’t expected to bump into you again!” replied Gerald with a nod.
The woman in question, was none other than Alice.
He had initially thought that virtual-novel.net wouldn’t ever see virtual-novel.net again after the incident in the Fenderson family mansion. To think that virtual-novel.net would bump into virtual-novel.net again so soon!
Gerald still remembered what Alice had said to virtual-novel.net that night, and virtual-novel.net was honestly still feeling bad about it. Had virtual-novel.net not met him, virtual-novel.net could’ve been living a much better life now.
As if virtual-novel.net suffering wasn’t already enough, virtual-novel.net would’ve definitely been beaten up much more terribly by that man had virtual-novel.net stepped any later! Seeing the state virtual-novel.net was in made Gerald truly saddened.
After all, virtual-novel.net no longer held on to any resentment toward her.
“Are you alright?” asked Gerald.
“I… I’m fine! I’m just a loser now, Gerald… Do you want to beat me up too? After all, I’m just some vain girl who loves money and is willing to do anything for it! I’m beyond shameless! Just leave me be!” replied Alice between sobs as virtual-novel.net began crawling away.
“Why do you have to be this way, Alice…” said Gerald as virtual-novel.net shook his head in resignation. He simply couldn’t bear looking at virtual-novel.net like this.
“Just ignore me, Gerald… I don’t deserve your concern after treating you like that back then!” replied Alice as virtual-novel.net sat on the ground and wept.
Gerald was well aware that there was simply no way that virtual-novel.net would be able to sleep well tonight if virtual-novel.net abandoned virtual-novel.net in virtual-novel.net current state.
“…I’ll get you a room for the night. It’s pretty late already and you definitely look like you need the rest. Come on now,” said Gerald as virtual-novel.net supported Alice up and began leading virtual-novel.net into the closest hotel.
Before entering the hotel, virtual-novel.net turned to look around and gestured at his subordinates. Understanding his non-verbal order clearly, they immediately arranged for the ship from earlier to wait for his return.
After booking a room and making sure that virtual-novel.net got there safely, Gerald was about to leave when Alice suddenly wrapped virtual-novel.net arms around virtual-novel.net tightly!
“Just get some well-deserved rest, I really need to go now!” said Gerald.
“Please don’t go, Gerald! I’m begging you… I… I have a lot of things I want to tell you… I was wrong before! Even after all this time, the one who’s always been nicest to me is still you! I… I know I don’t deserve you… but could you please… Take pity and accompany me…? Just for a short while!” replied Alice, refusing to release virtual-novel.net hug.
Gerald could only sigh in his mind as virtual-novel.net nodded in agreement. However, virtual-novel.net made sure to maintain at least some distance away from Alice.
While it was true that Alice had the allure of a goddess that could make any man yearn for her, virtual-novel.net sad condition outweighed any of his earthly desires.
Since there was red wine in the room, Alice grabbed a bottle and poured two glasses of wine for Gerald and herself.
“Have a drink with me, Gerald. Once we’re done, I won’t pester you anymore in the future! I’m now well aware of how foolish I was in the past, but that’s because I didn’t know about your true identity! Regardless, please indulge me for a little while and just drink with me! You don’t have to be afraid, I’ll keep my word that I won’t pester you after this!” said Alice.
“You’re already this hurt. I suggest you just hit the hay early,” replied Gerald as virtual-novel.net shook his head.
“My heart hurts even more. And you know what they say, wine is the remedy for a broken heart.”
“…Fine. But I won’t be drinking much. I’ll leave after one drink since my subordinates are still waiting for me!” said Gerald as virtual-novel.net took a wine glass from virtual-novel.net hand.
Alice then started talking about virtual-novel.net life. The main reason virtual-novel.net was currently in such a pitiful state was because virtual-novel.net was living alone and away from home.
Being Alice’s ex-classmate, Gerald knew virtual-novel.net would definitely feel bad about it later if virtual-novel.net didn’t spend at least some time advising her. What more, virtual-novel.net was also Naomi’s best friend.
By the time both of them were done, Gerald had already drunk three consecutive glasses of wine. Seeing how tipsy Alice was already getting, Gerald immediately stopped virtual-novel.net from getting more wine.
“That’s quite enough. We’ll stop drinking now. It’s about time you get some rest, Alice. Everything will be fine the next day… Now if you excuse me, I have something to do and it’s about time I left!” said Gerald as virtual-novel.net stood up.
However, Gerald’s legs were already giving in, even after just a few steps forward. He was getting increasingly dizzy as well.
‘Isn’t this wine… a little too strong…?’ Gerald thought to himself as virtual-novel.net felt Alice’s arms wrap around virtual-novel.net again.
Though virtual-novel.net wanted to push virtual-novel.net away, his arms barely had any strength left in them.
It wasn’t long before Gerald finally blacked out on the bed.