Suddenly Looking Back, The Lights Grow Dim

3

Half an hour later, Grayson stood at the door with a grim expression.

I leaned against the door and looked at him. "Not coming in?" I asked.

Grayson didn't move.

"Since you're here, might as well catch the snake before you leave," I said.

I thought Grayson was just making an excuse to avoid socializing by saying he needed to return to the fire station. But when I called, he was there.

It wasn't that I wanted to waste public resources. Blame it on the toy snake that looked too real. It scared me so much that I ran out mid-shower. Now, I was wearing a slip dress, and my hair was wet and messy.

Grayson's eyes roamed over me with a mocking, indifferent expression. "Where's the snake?" he asked.

I tossed the toy snake I was playing with at him. "No snake, but there's a snake spirit."

I twisted my waist and wrapped my arms around his neck. "You came over, didn't you?"

Grayson suddenly pressed me against the wall. He hooked his foot to close the door, and said hoarsely, "What's wrong? Maverick can't satisfy you?"

I quickly realized.

Grayson held grudges.

After getting out of prison, I broke up with him. I used Maverick as an excuse, saying I would marry my childhood friend.

Grayson was just about to return to duty back then. He pressed me against the door and said, "Is he better than me?"

I laughed and said, "Of course. He's rich, good-looking, tall, and good in bed."

Then I pressed on the camouflage backpack beside him. "He can be with me 24/7, always at my beck and call. Can you? Or do you want to take off that camouflage right now?" I said.

I knew what he cared about, so I hit the mark perfectly.

That day, I watched the light in Grayson's eyes dim. It was completely different from the way he was now.

I curved my lips into a seductive smile and tilted my head to ask him, "Want to get back together?"

Grayson didn't hesitate for a moment. He sneered and said, "Susan, I'm not interested in you anymore. Maybe you should get some work done? This face of yours is really off-putting."

Just like four years ago, he left completely.

I watched the elevator doors close and felt a wave of bitterness rise in my heart. Who said it's easy for a woman to chase a man? He was harder to woo than any woman.

4

I had always had trouble sleeping. I tossed and turned until dawn that night.

Before, I didn't dare to think of him. Later, I didn't want to think of him. Even though I knew there was no chance with him, I couldn't let it go. I kept struggling with myself in my heart.

Nora wanted to set me up with a boyfriend and sent me Grayson's picture. I dropped my job abroad and rushed back immediately. At that moment, and even now, I felt the same. Grayson and I shouldn't end like this.

I took out my phone and dialed the number I knew by heart. It barely rang once before he hung up on me.

I called again, and he hung up again. Then he blocked me altogether.

"Well done, Grayson. You still remember my number."

I felt excitement in my heart. It was just like when I was eighteen and he confessed to me, making my heart race.

I opened WhatsApp. I added him through his phone number and sent a friend request. But there was no response. I fell asleep waiting.

...

The next morning, still drowsy, I opened the door for Nora.

My slip dress hung off one shoulder, revealing a bit too much.

She pointed inside. "Is it okay?" she asked.

I yawned and curled up on the sofa, watching her snoop around the room like a detective before she stopped in front of me. "He's already gone?" she asked.

"Who?" I asked.

"Grayson! Don't tell me with the perfect timing last night, you didn't seal the deal," she said.

She suddenly leaned closer. "Besides, you've had that 'he's my type' look since you saw him. You didn't pounce on him?" she asked.

I thought I had been more restrained. But apparently, it was still obvious.

Nora asked, "Girl, were you too reserved?"

I glanced at my deep V silk wine-red mini slip dress and thought of last night's Grayson. I sighed and said, "He just wasn't into it."

Nora looked at me in disbelief. "With how sexy and bold you are now, you must have driven him crazy."

She smiled smugly. "Opportunities are always created."