Chapter 26
Like trying to cover the sky with one’s palm. He rationalized his actions even using ridiculous excuses, yet he couldn’t hide the foul-smelling truth.
He mocked himself for secretly looking forward to the second meeting with Leila.
In this deadlock like a dilemma, he should have felt only weariness, so what was the point of expectation?
All he would say to her would be nothing but lies and deception. Even today he loathed and despised the inner desire that was eager to discover traces of affection and fondness in her eyes as always.
‘What exactly do you want? Do you want to receive a vow of eternal love?’
He had neither the courage nor the capacity to accept it, yet the reason he suddenly felt bewitched by that affection was probably the terrible loneliness he had endured all his life.
Though he had cut the sprout long ago, the stubborn greed and longing within him seemed as if it would only cease after he shut himself in a monastery deep in some mountain valley for decades of silent ascetic practice.
Bjorn made the sign of the cross toward his still pathetic self and left the colorless room. Even then he did not forget the bundle prepared for today.
* * *
The meeting place Leila had sent in advance by letter was a tea salon recently gaining fame in the capital.
Even Bjorn, who had no interest in worldly affairs, remembered hearing of it a few times after returning from the war. Of course, at the time he never dreamed he would come to such a place by his own feet.
‘My wife says it’s a required course for lovers. That young lady is really determined!’
Allen exclaimed in a tone unclear whether it was criticism or mockery, and Bjorn once again felt irritated for no reason.
Even so, the phrase ‘required course for lovers’ made his face heat up for no reason. As Allen said, inside the tea salon he entered, the proportion of men and women who looked like couples was very high.
Would the sight of Leila and himself meeting in a place like this appear like ordinary lovers to others. A useless delusion suddenly intruded into his mind.
‘…Don’t act rashly. Today’s plan must succeed.’
Bjorn barely shook off the stray thoughts that rose as naturally as breathing whenever he relaxed. However, the sweet and heavy atmosphere felt from the entrance kept making him unsettled.
With the tips of his ears slightly warm from awkwardness and embarrassment, he opened the shop door and entered, and an attendant approached and asked whether he had a reservation or companion.
“I’m here for a reservation under Miss Leila Bailey’s name.”
Perhaps because of unnecessary tension, a terribly stiff voice came out. He felt as if he alone was awkward and embarrassed in this refined place.
Feeling like a large-sized fool was not pleasant. He had the illusion everyone here was glancing at him. It was fortunate that after five years away fewer people recognized him than before.
“Miss Bailey, sir? If you could wait a moment while I check the reservation book…”
“Sir Bjorn, over here.”
Thus, it couldn’t be helped that Leila appearing behind him at that moment looked like a savior.
“Miss Leila.”
Calling her while hiding his relief, Leila returned a shy smile with both cheeks flushed. Bjorn deliberately ignored his rising heartbeat. She seemed to have arrived far earlier again today.
She wore a dress of unusual material as always and even had thick glasses and a bonnet, yet now even that had grown familiar and did not look very strange.
With even himself feeling it excessive, Bjorn greeted Leila with clear delight.
“Have you waited long? I thought I hurried in my own way, yet you arrived first again today.”
“It’s alright. It’s just my personal habit. Would you come this way? I’ll guide you to our table.”
Leila replied as if it were nothing and held out her hand, and Bjorn naturally accepted it. Even though it was an ordinary escort, he couldn’t understand why the heat near his ears would not fade.
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