Love's Labyrinth

Chapter 8: Punishment for you

The car entered that old community. I pressed the window button to check if Betsy had moved my luggage, and I was pleased to see that my luggage was still there. Despite not keeping our agreement, my belongings were not downstairs. It seemed my warning from last time had worked.

Lightly, I ascended the stairs and opened the door. The room was pitch black. I checked Betsy's room, but there was no light under the door. It turned out she hadn't returned tonight. No wonder I didn't see her car downstairs, and no wonder she didn't move my luggage.

It's fine if she doesn't come back. I could crash here for another night. Perhaps this was the only consolation the end of the day offered.

After a simple wash, I lay on the bed. When I turned off the lights and closed my eyes, the world suddenly became quiet. I thought in this state I could quickly fall asleep. However, some fragments intruded into my mind.

All these fragments were related to the past, recalling the past and pulling out the current emptiness and destitution. I don't understand why Morton Cowper and Bella could persist and get married after graduation, while Jenny and I ended so dimly. What did I do wrong? I wish Jenny could tell me in person. However, such a simple request has become a luxury!

So, I suffered in pain for two years without understanding. I rotted away for two years.

...

I vigorously rubbed my face, sat up from the bed, and sat still for a long time. I got up and took the guitar that had been dusting off for a long time from the cabinet. I wanted to sing a song, for myself... for Jenny.

After tuning with the tuner, I strummed the strings, and the melody of "Wandering" by Yan Wulin hummed from my mouth.

"Who can see clearly in this bustling world, once again, eyes are blurred; who can escape from this noise, once again, it erodes you; who has ever mentioned the past, once again, forgetting you; who will meet again in the afterlife, once again, to love you.

I'm lost, can't find the map, the road of this emotion is so hard to walk; I'm lost, can't find a way back, why did the world become so numb; I'm lost, can't find the way back, the people around are like strangers; I'm lost, standing still, while your heart has flown far away..."

When I sang the last sentence, I felt a warm sensation in the corner of my eyes. I'm lost, really lost. I thought I had come a long way in these two years, but I was just standing still on the map called love. Yet her heart had flown far away...

I lit a cigarette. Just as I took a puff, the door was suddenly knocked. I was almost scared to break the guitar strings. There shouldn't be anyone at home!

Betsy's voice came from outside the door: "If you're in the mood for singing, find a place with no one around. This is a residential area."

I put on slippers and opened the door, and Betsy, wearing suspender pajamas, stood in front of me. Her well-proportioned figure could rival Bella's, and her pretty face looked so calm in the dim light, giving her an unparalleled temperament.

"If you didn't hear me singing 'Am I Lost?' just now, where else could I find a place with no one!" I said with a half-smile.

"Forcing words!," I ignored Betsy's dissatisfaction and asked, "Why are you at home?"

"I've been here all along."

"I didn't see your car downstairs!"

"Parked on the opposite vacant lot."

"No wonder!" I sighed, ready to close the door, fearing that Betsy would bring up the topic of moving again. It was almost one in the morning, and where could I move to at this hour?

Betsy pushed the door with both hands, not letting me have my way.

I glared at her and asked, "You're not planning to make me move out now, are you?"

"No." After a pause, Betsy said, "You didn't see my car because it's parked on the opposite side."

"Is that so!" I sighed in relief, but Betsy added, "If you want to sing and get lost again, find a place with no one. I can take you there. Don't do it here; this is a residential area."

"Are you kidding me?" I responded, "No, thank you. I'm not going anywhere."

Betsy, with her hands on the door, continued, "I knew you'd have the mood to sing again. I can be your audience."

"Really? Are you that good?" I asked suspiciously.

"Since you disturbed my sleep and I can't sleep anyway if you still have the mood, I can be your audience." After a moment of thought, she added, "Your voice is not bad!"

I felt that Betsy was actively trying to repair our relationship or perhaps my singing had impressed her. Or maybe she pitied me, this fallen man. Regardless of her motive, I felt I could agree to her request. I was also sleepless, so let's go crazy together!

...

After a while, Betsy changed into different clothes, and I, wearing pajamas, with slippers on my feet and a guitar in my hand, followed her downstairs.

Betsy drove her car, and I opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat. Although I had been in luxury cars, the Q7 was my first time. I couldn't help but look around.

Before I could fasten my seatbelt, Betsy had already stepped on the gas heavily. The powerful thrust of the Q7 nearly slammed me against the windshield.

"At this late hour, do you want a corpse sitting next to you?" I touched my aching head and scolded Betsy angrily.

"Who told you not to fasten your seatbelt? People who don't follow the rules deserve to be hit!" Betsy said indifferently.

I pointed at Betsy angrily and said, "Damn you! You're retaliating against me! You intentionally didn't buckle up when you started the car. You be careful; karma will get you. Damn it! I'm not finished with you!" I was in a hurry, turning around and cursing at the disappearing Betsy.

...

I've always been easygoing with everyone, easy to trust, and don't like being guarded. I ended up like this, really deserved it!