When There Is Nothing Left But Love

After a moment’s hesitation, Linda beckoned me to sit with her.

I sat next to Linda but realized Nora refused to look in my direction. Judging by that reaction, I figured she was still mad at me from earlier.

A sharp-eyed Linda also noticed the tension between us and tried to change the subject. “We’re so thankful for your help today. Otherwise, who knows what that scumbag Derek would have done to us.”

“Don’t mention it,” Nora casually replied.

Piqued by curiosity, Linda couldn’t help but continue, “Ms. Oberick, the grandfather you mentioned earlier, is he the Mr. Oberick that I’m thinking of?”

Nora pursed her lips as she pondered about the question. “Don’t think so much. Meeting you was fate, so let’s drink to that!”

It was at that moment when I realized how little I knew about Nora. We had initially met in Venria, and even though everyone shared their stories, we all kept them brief. Even I didn’t divulge much about myself, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if she had held back information about herself too.

Linda noticed Nora’s reluctance to elaborate and thus didn’t ask any further. It was also then when the food and drinks got delivered.

Linda poured us our wine and raised a toast to us. “Once again, I have to thank the two of you for today. Here’s to our friendship!”

Nora raised her glass of wine in return and drank it in one gulp.

did you get in here? We didn’t even see you around before this. It seems too much

her head and glanced at me. “I had long noticed the commotion when you were still in the lobby. Then I heard the staff mention the old lecher wanting to get a room, so

“Thank goodness for you. I still shudder to think what

today, and I apologize for

not entirely your fault. I’m sure you have your reasons, so I shouldn’t have forced you for an answer. Besides, when it

to handle these problems, and I always seem to overcomplicate them. As an outsider, you have a clearer view of things. And as my friend, it’s only natural that you want to help. At the end of the day,

adorable! Come on, let’s drink.

the tension between Nora and I all gone, the

took was a few glasses of wine before she latched on to Linda and bombarded her with every question about Armond, from details about his lifestyle to his past

more enthusiastic she got. Before long, she had managed to spill just

of getting too drunk and having no one to take care of me. As

he asked, slightly

on me that because I had gone out with Linda right after work,

out my surroundings as I tried to pull myself together. “Mr. Murphy, I’m so sorry. I’m

you?” he

replied

with?” Armond snapped. He wasn’t hiding