Where Snow Can't Follow

They had been drinking together all night, but the later it got, the more distracted Lucas seemed.

Lulu called, her voice gentle and concerned, "Sweetie, are you going to bed yet? I miss you… Can I come over?"

Lucas refused, swirling his drink in his wine glass, "I'm having a drink with Sean and the others as… A last bachelor's party, you know? Be good and go to bed, alright?"

Lulu's pout was audible even over the phone, and she acted clingy for a little bit before reluctantly hanging up.

Sean leaned over to James and whispered, "Since when did people do bachelor parties for an engagement?"

James rotated the cup in his hand, letting out a sigh. "He's waiting for someone, you doof! Can't you tell?"

In the past, Susan would've already arrived to ask Lucas for an explanation, proverbial guns blazing and letting her rage be known, so the fact that she hadn't shown up yet was… Unsettling.

"Should I call Susan and ask her where she is?" James offered.

Lucas didn't refuse, only standing up and walking to stand by the window. "Sure, whatever."

James first called the police station and was informed that Susan already left earlier.

Meanwhile, her phone was completely unreachable, and Lucas and the others soon realized that she had blocked them.

"Bro, I think she's really angry this time!" Sean said cautiously.

"Susan isn't the type to take something like this lying down, so she really might be serious this time. To be fair, you did get her locked up while you got engaged with another person, so I get it. You might have overdone it this time, Lucas." James finally said what was on his mind the entire night.

Then, they all tried calling Susan's friends, but no one had heard from her either. For the first time, Lucas lost all his composure, kicking over the table and smashing a bottle of liquor, sending glass shards flying all over the floor.

Clearly, he hadn't expected Susan to leave. How could he, when all this time she'd been following him around like an abandoned puppy? They'd been together for so long that both their families already treated them like future husband and wife.

As for Lulu, the more Susan bullied her, the more he felt the need to protect her. It came to a point, eventually, where he couldn't even tell what he actually felt.

Lucas' bloodshot eyes stared blankly into the air. "She's just throwing a tantrum because she's jealous… She'll come back once she gets over it…"

In the past, Susan fought with him plenty of times before Lulu was even in the picture. As long as he was patient and played along, she'd forgive him and treat him even better than she did in the past.

What he didn't realize, then, was that this wasn't just a fit of anger or a petty tantrum.

This time, she truly didn't want him anymore.

-

After spending an entire night on the plane, I arrived at my destination. To my surprise, the person who came to pick me up wasn't my brother, but Charles Lawson, his best friend.

From what I hear, he and my brother grew up together, almost inseparable. They were so close, in fact, that there were even rumors that he secretly had feelings for my brother.

With that in mind, I kept an eye out for anything strange while giving him a polite smile. "Long time no see, Charles."

He was tall and strikingly handsome, exuding an effortless charm in the casual jeans and t-shirt. The bright smile on his face was as warm and vibrant as the weather here.

"Tony's out on a business trip, so he told me to come get you."

He reached over to take my suitcase, giving it a light pat on the top. "Wanna hop on?"

"I'm not a little girl anymore, Charles."

Charles was five years older than me. Back then, when he used to visit our house, he loved dragging me all around the house while I sat on a suitcase like a chariot.

With a shrug, he whistled as he dragged the suitcase over to his car, before driving me to where I would be staying.

The temperature around here averaged at around 70℉, which was perfectly comfortable.

His flashy red convertible roared down the road, blasting music at full volume.