[128] b
Chloe remained silent.
“Chloe,” Leonel called in the gentlest tone possible. “Sometimes, taking a break from your busy activities is necessary to entertain yourself.”
“But not with you!”
Leonel laughed. Chloe’s angry face was so endearing to him.
Leonel abruptly stopped his car. He took a deep breath, as much as he could. The turmoil in his chest intensified. Why did Chloe’s image grow more decisive in his mind? Before continuing his journey, he reached for the phone he had kept in his pocket all this time.
Various notifications appeared on Leonel’s flat device, especially from Robby. He was very enthusiastic in questioning Leonel about his plans. Did his son succeed in bringing Chloe back into his arms? Deborah also occasionally reported that everything was fine in her office. It made Leonel lose focus. His head ached, and Chloe’s presence always haunted him.
“Come on, Leonel. You have to forget your ex-wife. After all, this is your fault. Why did you have to let her go?” Leonel said to himself, then took a slow breath and exhaled.
Leonel was frustrated because he couldn’t think clearly about his plans after this. Even Chloe’s image kept appearing in his mind, constantly disturbing him. He had come here, dedicating his time to prove that he was serious about getting back into that woman’s life and trying to correct all his mistakes. But unfortunately, Chloe was unwilling to accept him back. It frustrated Leonel and almost drove him mad thinking about the woman.
[I’m going back to New York City now!]
Send.
Leonel wrote that message addressed to Agatha Theodore, his mother. He didn’t want his mother to think that he could be back with Chloe. It blew Leonel because his hopes didn’t align with expectations. He shouldn’t have wasted a week in Beverly Hills just for Chloe, but Leonel’s efforts were futile. Chloe seemed distant, not even showing the slightest concern for him.
Leonel took a slow breath, trying to gather his focus again. He rushed to drive his car towards New York City. He no longer wanted to discuss or think about everything related to Chloe in Beverly Hills. It was better to focus on his company and enjoy his solitude. It didn’t matter. His broken heart might heal somehow. What he felt now was disappointment, despair, and sadness raging within him. Leonel couldn’t think about how much regret he had experienced.
Ping!
[What’s wrong? Did you manage to persuade Chloe?]
Leonel just glanced briefly. The pop-up message on his phone was readable. Upon receiving a letter from Agatha, Leonel chose to remain silent about its contents. He couldn’t possibly explain it through a message to Agatha. It would be better to tell her when he arrived in New York City. Moreover, Leonel’s mind was currently wholly uncompromising. The disappointment and heartache of a hope that didn’t come true made him feel uncomfortable this time.
Even Leonel deliberately pulled over his car because he couldn’t concentrate on driving and felt his mind constantly haunted by Chloe. He had to try to neutralize his thoughts and feelings to regain focus on driving. Although it was difficult, no matter how long Leonel tried, something always haunted him.
“Come on, you can do it,” Leonel encouraged himself.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Chloe seemed unfocused on her work. She appeared happy thinking about the progress of her relationship with Darren. Chloe no longer felt uncertain because she had set her goals. Even when she returned to the café to check on the work there, Leonel’s presence was no longer at the table he had occupied for the past few days.
Chloe didn’t care too much. Maybe now he was busy with his affairs. It’s better that way. It wouldn’t disturb Chloe anymore. Darren’s words about his parents had been beneficial for her to gain more confidence. She also agreed to Darren’s suggestion this week to go to Surabaya. She was meeting her lover’s parents. While checking all the reports Peni had given her, she also considered what clothes would be appropriate for her to wear when visiting there.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
“Oh… it’s so confusing,” Chloe sighed. She took her phone out of her bag, searching for clothing references that suited her and looked respectable. She didn’t want to receive a wrong impression from Darren’s parents.
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the highway towards New York City, Leonel was driving his car at an above-average speed. He didn’t think about his life. All Leonel could think about was how to get rid of the suffocating feeling and let it out. He couldn’t scream like a madman there.
However, on that large highway, Leonel didn’t realize that suddenly the brakes were difficult to press. Also, his car, traveling at high speed, lost control. He tried to avoid a possible accident. But unfortunately, the vehicle Leonel was driving collided with one of the trucks in front of him. The loud sound of the collision made Leonel feel a powerful impact on his chest. The truck he had tried to avoid was now in front of him. His car was also thrown quite far, and he felt an intense spinning sensation. All Leonel remembered was that the front of his car was completely crushed. The vehicle he was driving rolled over and fell into a ravine on the side of the road.