Cross Lines

Chapter Sixty-Six: Reunion

Emily Luo, who had little experience with serious relationships before, thought that after a brief separation, the process should be a joyful reunion with dining and entertainment. So when she was abruptly woken from her nap by a call from the hospital and rushed to perform an emergency surgery, she was still mulling over the fact that it wouldn’t delay her meeting with Maggie, who was arriving home in the afternoon. To her surprise, as soon as she finished washing her hands after the surgery, she received a call from Maggie, sounding downcast as if something unfortunate had happened. Maggie informed her that her ex-girlfriend from Italy had returned unexpectedly and wanted to catch up, specifically requesting that Maggie bring her current girlfriend along.

“Are you going…?” Maggie asked cautiously, probably knowing that the sudden change was beyond Dr. Luo’s tolerance. Dr. Luo responded with several seconds of silence.

Emily Luo wanted to roar at Maggie, asking if she couldn’t avoid going, but she knew that any reason she gave for not going would leave a lasting joke for Maggie’s ex to mock. And why couldn’t Maggie have informed her earlier? She was now stuck in rush hour traffic with her hair still disheveled from a nap and wearing a T-shirt!

However, Dr. Luo didn’t lose her cool on the phone. She replied succinctly, “Go.”

On the other end, Maggie’s tone brightened, “Great! I’ll come pick you up?”

“Where are you meeting?”

“At the Galaxy Hotel.”

“Go home now, take a shower, change clothes, and put on some light makeup. I’ll be downstairs in an hour and a half.”

“What? It’s too much trouble. It’s just dinner, and it’s so hot.” Maggie seemed indifferent, but Dr. Luo responded with more silence.

“Alright, I’ll head home now…” Maggie hung up, grabbed the rice cooker she bought for her girlfriend, and hurried home.

Although Maggie admitted that her initial attraction to Dr. Luo was due to her looks, Emily Luo typically did not put much effort into her appearance. Given her profession, she often dressed simply and relied on her taste rather than flashy clothes. So when Maggie descended from the building wearing her small round sunglasses and saw Dr. Luo behind the wheel of the Audi, her eyes sparkled with admiration. She hopped into the passenger seat and said, “Wow! Beautiful lady, do you have time for a drink?”

Emily Luo glanced at her, showing no interest in engaging, “Seatbelt.”

“Oh.”

Maggie fastened her seatbelt and was about to flirt further when the car suddenly surged forward, causing Maggie’s sunglasses to fly off her face. She fumbled to retrieve them, looking innocently pouty, “Are you upset? I only got the call after landing. Chen Lu is here for a couple of days and leaving tomorrow morning, so… the time can’t be changed…”

Although Emily Luo was somewhat displeased, it wasn’t because she had to meet Maggie’s ex. In fact, she was quite curious to meet this supposedly high-profile person and perhaps cut off any lingering strings Maggie might have.

“It’s fine, let’s go. But how does she know about me? Have you been in touch?”

“No, no!” Maggie was startled, aware that this accusation could lead to her being shut out by Dr. Luo. “She called to invite me to dinner and asked about me. Of course, I told her—it’s quite a flattering thing, you know!” Maggie smirked with pride.

“And she asked you to bring me along?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Huh?” Maggie blinked, “What do you mean why?”

“Her purpose in meeting me.”

“Purpose? Maybe she just wants to meet me. What else could the purpose be?” Maggie remained puzzled.

“Does she have a new partner?”

Maggie was caught off guard, “I don’t know. She probably does after all these years…”

“Would you like to meet her current partner, if she has one?”

“Ah? Hmm… not really. I’m not particularly interested.”

“Alright.” Dr. Luo turned to look at Maggie, “Do you still have any lingering feelings for her?”

“Of course not!” Maggie said with unwavering resolve, “All my love now belongs to you, Dr. Luo~~”

Emily Luo didn’t acknowledge the playful tone, brushing a strand of hair from her face, “You no longer have feelings for her, so you’re not interested in her current love life. However, since she asked you to bring me, can it be understood that she still has feelings for you and hopes that your past relationship could have a new chance?”

This reasoning left Maggie dumbfounded, and she remained in a daze until their car arrived at the Galaxy Hotel.

“Alright, let’s go in.” After confusing Maggie, Dr. Luo appeared to be in a better mood. Maggie mechanically followed instructions and got out of the car, still stunned. Emily Luo linked arms with her, her smile masking her true emotions, “Choosing such an expensive and unappetizing place, your thinking is truly hard to understand.”

The five-star hotel featured elegant decor and dazzling lights, with a luxurious and opulent style, and even the carpets were thicker than usual. Maggie usually disliked dining in such places because the formality often left her feeling unsatisfied. However, she was accustomed to following Chen Lu’s arrangements and had never changed that habit.

In the middle of the grand lobby, a square table in the middle of the room, directly under a magnificent crystal chandelier, was perfectly illuminated, making every detail visible. Chen Lu, who once held an important place in Maggie’s life, greeted her old flame with a warm smile, accompanied by Maggie’s current girlfriend.

“My little piggy, how long has it been since we last met…?”

A nostalgic sigh and a hug. There was no awkwardness of a long separation; Chen Lu seemed as familiar and affectionate as a close relative, causing Dr. Luo to discreetly frown.

“So, this is… Dr. Luo?”

Uncertain how Maggie had introduced her, Chen Lu directly mentioned Dr. Luo’s profession. Emily Luo responded with a polite smile, “Hello.”

“Hello.” Chen Lu’s smile was not unpleasant and she gave Dr. Luo a friendly hug. There was a distinctive fragrance about her that Emily Luo couldn’t quite identify.

“Truly impressive, no wonder Maggie looks like she found a treasure.”

Short hair, tall, with deep brows and a powerful presence, Chen Lu exuded a strong sense of authority. Wearing a peacock blue floral dress, a color that could be quite challenging, she managed to wear it with a unique flair. This was Emily Luo’s first impression of Chen Lu.

For such subtle compliments, Emily Luo merely responded with a polite smile. After a brief introduction, she and Maggie took their seats, flanking Chen Lu. The waiter in a black bow tie came over to take the order, and Maggie asked, taking the role of host, “What would you like to eat?”

Seeing Maggie’s confident demeanor gave Dr. Luo a small sense of relief. If she had been teary-eyed and unable to speak, it would have been difficult to handle!

Chen Lu raised an eyebrow, “Hmm? You haven’t changed much in appearance, but you seem much more mature. I’ll leave the decision to you.”

Maggie smiled and turned to Emily Luo, “What do you want to eat?”

Even though Maggie asked the same question, her tone clearly delineated the differences in their relationship, which Dr. Luo found quite pleasant. Her smile grew warmer as a result.

“Anything is fine.”

As soon as the food arrived, Dr. Luo picked up her chopsticks, feeling Maggie’s leg being subtly touched under the table. Maggie had a habit of doing this at home, and while it didn’t bother Dr. Luo, the small table and formal setting made it more noticeable.

Chen Lu glanced under the table, seemingly understanding, and smiled, “Seems like some bad habits haven’t changed?”

Maggie didn’t respond, simply smiling at her, and placed a piece of fish on Emily Luo’s plate, then invited Chen Lu, “Come and try some Chinese food.”

Her actions didn’t escape Chen Lu’s notice, but the woman of strong presence seemed unfazed, “Now, Chinese restaurants are everywhere in the world, but the flavors vary widely. I’ll see how this one compares.”

“If you can stay a couple of more days, come over to our place for dinner. Dr. Luo’s cooking is not to be underestimated.”

Maggie’s slightly proud tone amused Chen Lu, “Hmm, I see. You’ve certainly become much more refined.”

During the meal, they chatted about trivial matters, and the atmosphere at the table was relaxed. In reality, Maggie’s inner feelings were far from calm. Her emotions towards Chen Lu were complex and conflicted, marked by a sense of lingering attachment and fondness for the past. Her displays of affection towards Dr. Luo were actually a sign of unresolved feelings.

Emily Luo understood this but did not feel displeased. Her considerate acceptance and support allowed Maggie to be in the best state to face her past. This process required time and some catalysts, and Chen Lu’s return was a perfect opportunity. Emily willingly accompanied Maggie to help her make a perfect farewell to the feelings etched in their youthful memories.