SWNOVELS Chapter 81 Pursue
Chapter 81 Pursue
Maurie's comforting words warmed Leah's heart, and a smile graced her face once more.
"Hearing what you've said has made me feel so much better, thank you. But you don't need to worry so much about me. I've moved on from those dark days."
"That's good to hear," Maurie said, placing another piece of fried chicken onto Leah's plate. "Eat a bit more."
Leah looked at the pile of food on her plate, all placed there by Maurie, while Maurie's plate remained empty.
She remarked, "You should eat too. Don't just focus on me."
"Alright," he replied with a smile.
Maurie then fiddled with the shrimp on his plate. After taking a bite, he found that the shrimp he usually disliked tasted exceptionally good today and even had a slightly sweet flavor. Perhaps it was because of the joy of being with someone he liked. Even the food he usually didn't like started to taste better.
Amidst his happiness, Maurie soon realized a crucial question.
He thought, "Leah is so beautiful and accomplished. Could she already have a boyfriend or even a husband? Do I still stand a chance?"
As these thoughts swirled, Maurie's enthusiasm visibly waned.
Noticing Maurie's change in mood, Leah stopped eating and looked up, asking, "What's wrong?"
Meeting Leah's clear, bright eyes, Maurie paused for a moment. He then suppressed his emotions and smiled, "It's nothing, just thinking about some work stuff."
"I almost forgot, you've become
such a big star now. Won't having
dinner with me for so long delay ĕ
your schedule? If you're really busy, we can meet another time." Leah expressed regretfully, realizing she hadn't considered this earlier.
"It's fine. I don't have many commitments these days. I can spare some time for a meal," Maurie replied, glancing at Leah. After a moment of nervous fidgeting with his glass, he voiced the question that weighed on his mind,
"Speaking of which, you were so popular in high school, with many pursuing you. Do you have a boyfriend now?"
When Maurie asked this, his body instantly tensed as he anxiously looked up at Leah. He feared that her answer would be what he least wanted to hear.
Leah smiled with a hint of resignation, "I'm afraid I'll disappoint you, but no one's pursuing me. I'm not interested in dating these days. I just want to focus on my career."
The previous dejection in Maurie's expression instantly vanished, replaced by a hopeful gleam. "Really? You truly don't have a boyfriend?"
He excitedly thought, "The person I've liked for so long doesn't have a boyfriend. This means I still have a huge chance. This is amazing!"
"There's no reason for me to lie about such a thing," Leah responded, giving Maurie a sidelong glance. "But why do you seem so thrilled that I don't have a boyfriend?"
She pondered, "Maurie has been acting unusually excited since our reunion.
I thought it was a typical reaction of Maurie seeing an old classmate.
But now... it seems there might be more to it.
Could Maurie possibly be interested in me?
But we were just friends in high school, almost like close buddies. It's impossible for Maurie to change his feelings for me suddenly.
I'm probably overthinking it. Maurie's probably just surprised I'm single, not in the way I'm imagining."
Suppressing his growing smile,
Maurie replied earnestly, "I'm just
surprised that someone like you still
doesn't have a boyfriend. I guess your standards are too high. Maybe you're not interested in those who pursue you?"