The Winter Of the Past

Layla was not home yet. But luckily, I was used to it.

I made some pasta for myself. But there was some noise at the door while I was eating it.

Layla came home with Charles and Caleb.

Charles and Caleb smoothly took off their shoes and coats at the door. Besides, the three of them talked and laughed while praising the movie they had watched that day.

They were stunned briefly when they found me in the living room.

Charles was wearing a cashmere sweater and a pair of sweatpants. He was the first to break the stalemate.

“I’m sorry, Zayn. I just got back to Liville and didn’t get to clean my house up. So, I brought Caleb here for a meal. I’m sure you won’t mind.”

If I was not mistaken, he had been back for three months.

Charles pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses as he cracked an annoying smile. Caleb leaped and ran to me, pointing at my pasta and asking for some of it. He also insisted that I make it for him.

“You can’t be rude to Mr. MacQuoid.”

“But I want some pasta. I’m Ms. Freeman’s guest. It’s not a big deal to ask him to make some pasta for me!”

Charles feigned helplessness.

Layla did not say anything. Instead, she dragged me to the kitchen with a clear intention.

However, displeasure washed over her because I remained motionless.

“Stop being mad at a child! He likes your cooking because you cook well!”

At first, I thought she would mock me more. Unexpectedly, she stopped talking and started cooking some pasta attentively.

Caleb liked food with a richer taste. Hence, Layla added some peppers to the pasta.

When she served it, she told Caleb to be careful since the pasta was hot. On the other hand, my cold pasta was laid aside and was ignored.

I would have gotten jealous in my previous life. But I was not sad when I saw the three of them talking and laughing at the dining table.

All I could think of was getting out of there as early as possible.

Before I bade Alex goodbye, he told me that the tentative date for going abroad was set for the twentieth of the next month.

“You can use this period to handle your stuff.”

I shared Alex’s thoughts.

I had to cancel my engagement with Layla before I went abroad. Her parents had given their blessings to our marriage. Besides, we knew each other well since we grew up together. Thus, we got engaged after our college entrance examination.

This was common during the 1980s.

It was not a big deal to cancel the engagement. But I was indebted to Layla’s parents. I had to visit them and tell them about it. I wondered when would be the right time.

“Zayn, we’re leaving!” Charles’ voice disrupted my thoughts.

I looked up and scanned them.

Caleb hugged Layla and refused to let go.

“Ms. Freeman, I want to sleep with you and Daddy.”

Charles glanced at me before he loudly rebuked Caleb. “Nonsense!”

It sounded like he purposely said that for me.

“You’re not a baby. Stop pestering Ms. Freeman. It’s embarrassing!”

“Don’t say that about Caleb.” Layla never stopped smiling.

Charles rubbed his temples and pretentiously heaved a sigh.

“I’m worried that Zayn might overthink. After all, you guys are engaged to each other. He didn’t say anything when I came with Caleb and while Caleb was eating. I’m afraid he has a problem with me.” He smiled bitterly. “Caleb is insensible, but I can’t be rude.”

“He’s always had a poker face. Stop overthinking.”

Layla watched them off. I thought she would make an excuse and would not come home. Unexpectedly, she re-entered the house in two minutes.

“I didn’t come home in time to celebrate your birthday with you today. Are you mad?”

Birthday? Stunned, I recalled that it was my birthday. But I had never celebrated it since my parents had passed away.

In the past, I did mention it to her, but she did not take it to heart.

She took my silence as an approval and pursed her lips to explain herself.

“Didn’t I tell you? I took care of them due to my best friend’s dying wish. I promised her I would take good care of them. I can’t break my promise.” She softened her tone because of my silence. “I won’t bring them home again.”

I silently did the dishes.

Layla did not notice something wrong with me. She kept telling me that her parents sprained their ankles when they were doing farm work.

“I have a lot of classes these days…”

I calmly said, “I’ll visit them.”

I could grab that chance to make things clear to her parents.

Instantly, she smiled. She pounced on me to hug me, but I dodged her. She reeked of cigarettes.