Love's Second Life: Rebuilding From Scratch

I took some time off from the department, planning to rest for a few days.

I would use this time to gather myself and then move out.

At noon, I received a call from Arthur.

"Charlotte, don't go home after class, go directly to the restaurant," he said, then sent me the location of a restaurant.

I had come across this restaurant online before, and a long time ago, I begged Arthur to go there with me.

He refused, saying he couldn't handle spicy food.

I carefully tried to persuade him, "How about we order two dishes, and you can have the non-spicy one?"

He ran his hand through his hair, his tone impatient. "You need me to accompany you for everything. Can't you eat by yourself? Is this how you teach your students?"

He was genuinely angry.

So, I never brought it up again.

When I arrived at the restaurant, there was a strange woman beside Arthur.

Arthur stood up and introduced her, "This is my junior, Aria Clementine. Aria said she wanted to meet you."

So, it seemed I had to rely on another woman to get to eat here finally.

Aria beckoned to me. "Charlie, come on, we're just waiting for you."

Her tone was so warm and inviting as if she were the hostess.

"I told Arthur we absolutely had to meet you, to see what kind of beauty could capture his heart."

She finished with a playful tilt of her head towards Arthur.

Arthur's lips curved into a smile, his tone seemingly reproachful but unable to hide his indulgence. "Aria, didn't we agree not to tease me about this?"

The two of them carried on their lighthearted banter, utterly oblivious to anyone else around them.

Arthur always used to complain that I talked too much, and I assumed he preferred quiet. Now, it seemed he didn't dislike noise; he just didn't like me making it around him.