Chapter 102: What A Coincidence
Arianna didn’t expect she would meet Susan here, the one who claimed to be a villain herself. Susan gave these children new clothes and new toys. And the dean said Susan donated a lot of money to the kindergarten. Moreover, Susan was having a good time with the children.
Although it was just two months after their last meeting, Arianna smiled at Susan with kindness.
Susan was looking somewhat awkward being caught doing the good things. After she sent away the last child who was prancing around her, Susan smiled at Arianna and said, “You know, everything has two sides. If they never touch new clothes and new books, they won’t feel abnormal. But once they have the experience with these materials and no one gives them anymore, they will have to wear old clothes and read old books. Resentment can grow in their hearts once they have the desire. So, do you really think I was playing nice?”
“With desire comes motivation. They can also study hard to become useful to the community to get what they desire.” Arianna could only argue like that.
“These children are far backward compared to average children. They will have to work ten times harder to get something easily accessible to normal children.”
The gravity of the topic ended their discussion.
When the first flower opened in the spring the next year, Arianna went to the cemetery that contained all of her relatives. A few days ago, Charles came back and accompanied her to this cemetery. Now Arianna thought she should come alone and say goodbye to them alone.
The following week she went there early. When she got into the cemetery, she found she had nothing to say. Then she went to the parking lot to get her car. At the time, she saw a motorcade moving on the cemetery road, all expensive and extravagant cars.
The last car in the motorcade stopped next to Arianna. The cab window was rolled down. Arianna glanced into the cab and recognized it was the boy who kidnapped her and was slapped by Susan. His eyes seemed to be a little swollen. When the car stopped, he raised his hand and wiped his tears.
Arianna was stunned. Not knowing why Arianna walked back to the management office and asked the head of the cemetery if anyone was to be buried today.
The cemetery office head said, “Why would a woman with such a good personality catch that disease? Just two weeks ago, she was looking so healthy. She came with her husband to pick her tomb location. And she required her tombstone to be surrounded by old folks, children, teachers, and doctors. She said this neighborhood would surely be cheerful. I thought she was just joking at that time. This is her name, Susan.”
Arianna bought flowers, crossed the jungle-like tombstones, and found Susan’s tomb. Next to her tomb was the tombstone of Susan’s parents, who passed away in their 50s, the inscription on which was signed by Susan and Travis. And Susan’s tombstone was only signed by Travis.
The white flowers in front of Susan’s tombstone were piled up too full. Arianna put the bouquet in her hand in front of Susan’s parents’ tombstone.
Arianna respectfully took a few bows in front of Susan’s tombstone. Then she said, “Now I understand why I must come here today. You are right. We are somehow connected. I never truly admit that I always admire your style of living, Susan. You saw through everything in the world, and you acted according to your will. You are so cool even when you are leaving the world. I always wanted to be someone like you, but I think I can never do it.”
Then Arianna drove slowly out of the cemetery. When she crossed the small hotel on the cemetery road, where she had lived for some time, she drove back and pulled over in front of the hotel. She wanted to check out the kind lady boss of the hotel. The lady boss was surprised to see Arianna, but she didn’t smile because she saw Arianna was dressed in black.
After greeting the lady boss of the hotel, Arianna went to the dining room she was once so familiar with.
It was a bright dining room. There was no building outside the large window but a wheat field. And the field had already turned green. The shrubs placed at the window also caught a touch of spring green. The shyness in this rural site was much bluer than downtown.
Then Arianna saw Travis, who was sitting at a table by the window, flipping a thick magazine on the table.
Arianna was so familiar with the scene as if she had time-traveled back to ten years ago.
She was young and innocent back then. And he was young too, his eyes still clear even though he had been through a lot at a young age.
She was wearing a white princess-style dress, and he was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt. But now, they were both dressed in black.
It was a hot summer day ten years ago. And today was a chilly early spring day.
In fact, just one year ago, they also met in this hotel in a similar manner. That was a rainy day. He wore black and stood in front of the window.
Arianna didn’t deliberately try to remember, but she remembered everything.
When she stood there and hesitated, Travis looked up at her. He was a little thinner, maybe because he didn’t wear black clothes often, or maybe he went through a hard time taking care of Susan. He was still clean and handsome, his face calm and not sad.
They watched each other for a while. Arianna thought she would come here later, so she should break the silence. But she only managed to say, “What a coincidence.”
Coincidence indeed. She didn’t see any vehicle outside the restaurant or anybody else around. Or, she didn’t pay attention to what was around her. Otherwise, she would not have come in.
Travis explained, “I felt a little motion sick, so I just slept upstairs for a while.”NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.
Arianna nodded and said, “I saw… I’m sorry.”
Travis lowered his eyes and paused for a moment, “I saw your car, so I remembered this hotel. I just didn’t expect you to come here too.”
The feeling was reciprocal.
Travis pointed to the opposite side of him, “Why don’t you take a seat here?”
Arianna sat down.
After a long silence, Arianna took a deep breath and said, “I’m sorry for accusing you of Chester’s death. I was wrong.”
Travis said awkwardly, “Chester? Oh… Okay, you are welcome.” Perhaps he had forgotten who Chester was.
Arianna stood up and wanted to leave. Although she was unintentional, such a meeting was not good for her.
“Take care.” She said to Travis.
Travis suddenly asked, “If, after a few decades, we meet again by chance just like this time, will you still recognize me?”
Arianna stood for a long time and then replied, “I don’t know. Maybe I will.”