Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts

Chapter 58

Lately, Izzy has been feeling all over the place. Ever since Ethan called her the day he arrived, there has been radio silence. A bit peeved, Izzy decided if he wasn't going to call her, she wasn't going to call him either. She didn't even know why she couldn't stop thinking about the guy.

One day, as Izzy was packing up her stuff to leave work, her phone on the desk buzzed. She picked it up quickly, only to feel a bit let down to see it was Aaron, not Ethan.

Aaron asked her out for dinner.

At the restaurant, Aaron spotted Izzy the moment she walked in. Her long hair casually cascaded over her shoulders, her face was lightly made up, and her pale pink coat made her look youthful. He felt there was something different about her, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"Izzy, over here." He waved to her.

Izzy saw Aaron and gave him a small smile as she took the seat opposite him. She set her bag down and said, "Sorry, Aaron. Kept you waiting, huh?"

"I just got here too."

When the waiter came over, Aaron ordered a meat dish, and Izzy took the menu and ordered a veggie dish and soup. Their old rapport was still there. "It feels like old times, working late with my senior." Izzy said with a deepening smile. The overtime pay at Foresight Financial Services was strictly regulated, only 20 per person. Anything exceeding that had to come out of their own pockets. So they got used to grabbing a bite at a restaurant outside, which could conveniently be reimbursed. And it just became a habit over time.

Aaron also felt a bit nostalgic and said reflectively, "Yeah, feels like just yesterday. Except you went and betrayed our auditing career halfway through."

Izzy felt a twinge in her heart but relaxed when she heard the word 'career'. She said jokingly, "Aaron, you scared me. I'm not that kind of person. I haven't given up. I'm still working in auditing."

"How's the new job?"

"Thank you for your recommendation letter, Aaron. Don't worry about me. I adapt pretty quickly. I've already gotten the hang of the new job, and my colleagues are easy to get along with." Aaron had always thought he knew Izzy well. She was a rational and restrained woman, not the type to latch onto anyone. But when she suddenly quit, he realized he had made a fatal error. He didn't really know her at all. Turns out she could be impulsive and was willing to throw everything away for love.

"Is he treating you well?" Aaron didn't directly mention her husband. Maybe he was still having trouble accepting it.

The day she quit, she called him. He saw the missed call but never returned it. Later, he heard from others that it was her and her new husband's wedding dinner. From them, he learned her husband was a handsome man with a great demeanor.

The mention of Ethan brought a small smile to Izzy's lips. Aaron noticed it and felt a sudden sadness.

"He's great. Just the kind of man I've always dreamed of."

"That's good. I'm relieved. I've been in A City these days. If you have time, bring him out and we can have dinner together."

"Aaron, your timing is off. He's on a business trip and won't be back for a few days."

Aaron felt a bit disappointed. "Well, no rush. I've also submitted my resignation. Once I wrap up my current work, I'll come to A City, probably in about a month."

"Aaron, you're coming to A City?" Izzy was surprised. She hadn't heard about his plans before. “Foresight Financial Services won't be the same without you. It took the fun out of my work,” Aaron thought to himself. But he said out loud, "Well, not really ‘coming’. More like returning home. After all, A City is where I grew up, and my family is here. I've been in self-exile for too long. It's time to face my past bravely. You're right. Running away doesn't solve anything."

Izzy laughed. She was genuinely happy for Aaron. She had no choice but to leave A City when she was abandoned by her biological father. But he had chosen self-exile. "Aaron, I'm happy for you."

"Thank you."

The food arrived shortly. By the time they finished, it was nearly eight. Aaron paid the bill.

He didn't feel comfortable letting her go home alone, so he walked her home. As she was about to enter her apartment complex, he called out, "Izzy, you probably forgot what I said a while ago. I hope I can still be your Senior. You don't have to feel burdened around me. Let's act like we used to."

Under the dim light, Izzy gave a soft smile. "Got it, my senior."

Aaron gave a satisfied smile. "Alright, go on up. It's cold out." He wasn't used to her being so reserved. It would be better if they just went back to how things were.

Izzy felt lighter as she walked home. It was as if she had let go of a burden. But the moment she walked through the door, her face scrunched up. That man was unbelievable, just up and disappearing like that. She threw her bag onto the sofa in frustration and downed a glass of water.

She turned on the TV and habitually took out her phone, only to see two missed calls and two unread messages. All from the same person, Ethan.

Izzy smirked. He finally couldn't resist. She opened the first message.

The message read, "Called twice but you didn't pick up. Don't tell me you're on a date with some guy behind my back." Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

Izzy rolled her eyes. Did this man have eyes in the back of his head? How did he guess what she was up to tonight?

She opened the second message. "Don't tell me I guessed right. You really went on a date?" It was followed by two crying emojis.

Izzy couldn't help but laugh as she looked at the emojis. She quickly typed a response. "Hmm, that's right. Never underestimate Mrs. Meyer's charm." She added two smug emojis.

After sending the message, Izzy put her phone aside. The moment she set it down, it started buzzing. The familiar voice she hadn't heard in days came through the phone. "Izzy, did you really go on a date with a guy?"

Izzy kicked off her shoes, bent her knees, and slouched lazily on the couch. "What's up? Are you getting antsy now?"

"You little troublemaker, wait till I get back, you won't be able to run away from me." Ethan's voice had a hint of grinding teeth.

Although he didn't spell it out, she instantly caught his drift, and her cheeks flushed deeply, as if she had applied intoxicating rouge. Meanwhile, Ethan, not hearing any retort from Izzy, was feeling on top of the world.