Chapter 288: Chapter 288: He’s About to Go Crazy
Before Ashley Shaw came to find Damian Ford, Leo and Cillian Xavier were chatting about their recent situations.
Even though the lighting in the bar was dim, Leo immediately noticed the fatigue on Cillian’s face and the distinct dark circles under his eyes.
"What’s wrong with you? What were you up doing last night? It’s supposed to be the most relaxing time after the college entrance exam."
"A friend’s sister got sick, and their family is still on their way here, so I’m taking care of her for a few days."
Leo, who had been joking earlier, adopted a serious expression upon hearing this.
"You need to take care of yourself, too. If it’s too much, hire a caregiver for the night and help out during the day."
Cillian’s gaze turned complicated: "She can’t be without me. If I leave, she starts to fuss."
Leo raised his eyelids slightly.
"Can’t be without you? You guys..."
"We’re together now." Cillian’s lips curved slightly, as if he were talking about something ordinary.
But despite his words, Leo could tell that there wasn’t any sign of happiness on Cillian’s face, even though he was smiling.
When you’re with someone you love, it shouldn’t be like this.
"Her name is Ivy Bond. You haven’t met her before, but you know her brother, Finn Bond."
Leo was a perceptive person, and he quickly surmised what had happened from Cillian’s brief remarks.
He nodded gently: "I remember; he’s a rare genius."
With that, Leo didn’t mention the topic any further and shifted to talk about himself.
"I’m going to be here for a long time this time."
"What are your plans?"
"My mentor says I’m too focused on my field and don’t observe life enough, suggesting that many cosmic rules can be glimpsed in everyday life, so I’m planning to...find a job."
Cillian looked surprised.
"A job? Where do you plan to work?"
"Not sure yet, waiting for arrangements from above. Come on, it’s been a while since we had drinks together, let’s toast."
Leo raised his glass, his handsome brows and eyes filled with vibrant energy.
For some reason, Cillian felt that Leo was particularly happy today.
It was like something good had happened.
But Cillian didn’t think much about it, only believing it was because the brothers hadn’t seen each other for a long time, so Leo seemed especially delighted.
The sound of an argument reached them just then.
Cillian hadn’t yet distinguished whose voice it was amidst the jazz music mixed with the argument, when Leo had already put down his glass and quickly rushed over there.
He was so anxious that his sleeve knocked over a glass, spilling its contents onto Cillian’s pants.
But Cillian couldn’t worry about his pants because he saw Ashley Shaw with a blank expression in the direction Leo ran.
While running over, Cillian thought self-deprecatingly: He really was useless.
Not only did he lose to Warren Prescott, but he couldn’t even compare to Leo, who only treated Ashley Shaw as a sister.
...
"What’s going on?"
Leo asked Damian Ford, but his gaze was fixed on Ashley Shaw.
Damian Ford feared most that these few would find out.
Their group of friends all knew that Leo treated Ashley Shaw like a sister.
Moreover, those sharper could sense Leo’s care for Ashley Shaw seemed more than just brotherly care.
Besides, if Leo found out, would Warren Prescott be far behind in knowing?
As Damian Ford contemplated how to minimize the conflict, Ashley Shaw spoke up.
"It’s nothing, just his girlfriend... couldn’t find him just now and got anxious, so I brought her over to find him. They’ve found him now."
Damian Ford nearly had a heart attack before hearing the latter part about "his girlfriend."
Fortunately, Ashley Shaw was soft-hearted.
He felt even more troubled at heart.
Not long ago, he had even made a crude joke about Ashley Shaw, saying he would send her to Leo’s bed at the welcome party.
He was truly despicable.
Thinking of this, Damian Ford’s gaze towards Ashley Shaw became increasingly guilty.
Cherie Crawford stayed silent, having realized from Ashley and Damian’s earlier conversation that Ashley wasn’t the type of bad woman she had imagined.
"Ashley, is it really like this?" Leo confirmed.
He was certain things weren’t that simple, but if Ashley wouldn’t say, he would take it as true.
Only seeing Ashley nod: "Yes, what else could it be?"
She smiled and asked in return.
Leo responded according to her words: "You’re not familiar with places like this, why lead the way? Stay by my side, don’t wander off, you weren’t feeling well today."
Cillian’s gaze quickly turned to Ashley Shaw.
Was she feeling unwell?
Only to see Ashley Shaw smile with bent brows and say: "Alright."
Her smile was as captivating as ever, the colorful lights from the spinning disco ball draped her face, the lights and her smile equally beautiful.
Ashley’s smile was so charming, and if you looked closely, you’d see a little snaggletooth, making you want to touch it to feel its texture.
Cillian recalled that the first time he met Ashley, he wondered how there could be such an adorable girl in the world when she smiled.
So when he returned after that, he did something unprecedented by drawing a portrait of her, even though he never painted portraits.
That portrait had been moved out of the studio yesterday and placed in the storeroom where miscellaneous items are kept.
He feared that seeing that portrait would cause his emotions to get out of control, making him forget the sense of responsibility and do something crazy.
But he stopped his thoughts abruptly, forbidding himself to think further.
He wasn’t qualified anymore.
He was...already Ivy Bond’s boyfriend.
He didn’t like Ivy Bond, actually he kind of disliked her in his heart.
But what could he do?
Once together, he must take on the responsibility of being together.
Besides, Ivy was a patient with little time left in her life.
Cillian suddenly felt his chest tighten, like something heavy was pressing on him, preventing him from breathing smoothly.
"You guys talk, I’m going to the restroom."
Cillian smiled as he patted Warren Prescott’s shoulder, heading towards the restroom.
Just when he turned his head where no one could see him, his smile instantly vanished.
He needed to wash his face, clear his mind, and calm down.
He couldn’t look at Ashley Shaw anymore.
If he looked a moment longer, he’d go mad.
All respect and well wishes, the thought that her happiness is enough, that love unrequited can truly turn you into a beast.
But on his way to the restroom, he coincidentally ran into Warren Prescott coming out.
"Warren." Cillian put on his smiling mask again.
He felt a bit envious of Warren, who never hid any of his emotions.
But what Cillian didn’t know was that the one who hides best is precisely the Warren he envies the most.
Warren wasn’t surprised to see Cillian; Damian Ford had already told him Cillian would be late.
He nodded slightly, as if the two had never had any conflict, and casually asked: "When did you arrive?"
"Just now."
Though it’s been seven or eight minutes since he arrived.
"I’m going to the restroom."
As Cillian was about to walk, Warren suddenly blocked his path with a long arm.