Chapter 61: You Love Me?
“Do you know where she would typically go when she’s in a bad mood?”
“What’s wrong? Is Selene unhappy? Did you do something bad to her?”
“Me? No. It was Clint Denovan.”
“Clint Denovan?”
“Yes. It’s a long story.” Austin said in a serious voice, “Emily, please help me. You know Selene better than anyone. Would you mind helping me? I need to find her right now.”
“You could check the Dream Health Club gym. When she’s in a bad mood, she will go there to do some boxing.” Emily said.
“Alright. Thanks. I know where it is.”
“I should go with you,” Emily said.
“No. That’s okay. I’ll tell you when I find her.”
****
Austin went to the gym and indeed found her doing some boxing training. She threw punch after punch at the boxing bag. She was hitting it as hard as she could. She was sweating profusely.
“Selene…” Austin called out, taking a few steps in her direction.
Selene just ignored him and continued with her punches.
Austin walked closer to her and called out her name again. “Selene!”
Selene suddenly turned around and threw her gloved fist towards his face.
Austin screamed and held his head, thinking that the punch would connect. Her fist stopped only inches from his face.
After several seconds, Austin recovered and patted himself on the chest. “You scared me! I thought you were gonna punch me in the face.”
Selene was red and sweaty from all her exertion, but she put on her usual face. “How did you know where I’d be?”
“Emily told me.” Austin answered, “Clint told me that you weren’t answering calls or texts. We were worried!”C0pyright © 2024 Nôv)(elDrama.Org.
“Okay,” Selene said, taking off her gloves.
“Selene, what happened?”
“It’s over between Clint and me.”
“What on earth happened between you two?” Austin was very confused.
“I found out that that woman is his stepmother.”
“What do you mean by ”that woman”?”
“The one who left my father and me.”
“Clint is your mother’s stepson?” Austin asked, his eyes going wide.
“She’s his mother, not mine.” Selene smiled slightly.
This was all shocking news for Austin. He looked at Selene’s, examining her expression. ”Did he know?”
“Of course, he did. He probably knew from the very beginning.” Selene said with an ironic smile. “Maybe he knew it already all those years ago when he first stepped into my store. But, on the other hand, maybe this was all a cruel trick that he played.”
Austin smiled dryly. “Selene. I know it’s hard to come to terms with this. This must be tough on you. If you need to cry, please just cry.”
“Why should I cry?”
“Okay then. Have you had dinner? Let’s go out and get something delicious. My treat!”
Selene went to the gym shower rooms and washed quickly. When she appeared again, she looked fresh and normal.
Austin felt very confused about Selene’s reaction. However, he didn’t mention it and followed her wordlessly outside.
They later arrived at a restaurant, and Selene ordered two bottles of beer.
Austin gently put his hand on her forearm. “I know you hate drinking. If you’re that angry at him, I could call him here and beat him in front of you.”
“I’ve already given him a beating.” Selene casually answered.
“Oh.” Austin nodded. “That doesn’t surprise me at all…”
“I haven’t been drunk before. I want to experience being drunk and if it’s really as good as they say for forgetting things.”
“Selene,” Austin asked with a worried voice.
“Don’t worry, Austin. I’m okay now. But I need to vent. I’m hurt.”
“Okay then. I’ll drink with you.”
“No! The doctor told you no alcohol. Besides, I’ll need someone sober to carry me back.”
Selene quickly finished the two bottles of beer but still felt too sober. Ignoring Austin’s advice, she asked for two more bottles of beer. Her stomach felt too full and uncomfortable, but her head was still very clear.
Maybe I just can’t get drunk. She thought.
She felt a little embarrassed and ate nothing. After she finished her two bottles, she asked Austin to go back.
Austin drove her back, and Selene sat by him. Opening the car window, Selene felt the wind blowing gently on her face. Maybe because the car’s speed was low, she eventually started feeling the alcohol kick in.
When they drove by a convenience store, Selene spotted a young couple walking by. The girl had chocolate in her hand.
“Austin. Please stop the car here.”
“What’s wrong?” Austin asked.
“I want to eat a chocolate bar. Can you buy me some?”
“But you’re allergic to it.” Austin frowned.
“Maybe today I’m not.”
Austin looked at her and nodded. “Okay. Wait in the car.”
Austin soon returned, handing Selene a box of chocolates.
Selene opened the box and took a bar of small chocolate between her index finger and thumb, staring at it for a while, then finally she put it into her mouth.
She felt a surge of mixed feelings flowing through her. Her childhood memories flooded back into her head, and she closed her eyes to escape the buried memories. Then, finally, she swallowed the chocolate.
Austin looked at her very nervously and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that she was fine. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m good.” Selene opened her eyes and smiled.
Then she bit into another piece of chocolate, enjoying the sweet flavor and the way it melted in her mouth. She never thought that she could enjoy chocolate since only the thought of it had previously made her vomit.
The sudden, shocking truth that she had experienced today made her succeed in overcoming her chocolate problem.
She also realized that she was way past the age when she needed a mother’s care. She was no longer a child, and the unhappy memories of her mother no longer affected and tormented her.
Finally, Selene breathed a relaxed sigh and smiled at Austin. “Let’s go home.”
As expected, Clint was still in Selene’s house.
When Selene and Austin got to the front of her door, the man inside heard the commotion and quickly opened the door.
Clint frowned but otherwise looked relaxed. He looked at Selene. “Finally, you’re back. I was worried.”