The advertising shoot was a whirlwind of activity, with people bustling about. Juelz maneuvered his wheelchair, encountering difficulty in making progress.When he reached a set of steps, he found himself unable to ascend. He glanced at the nearby staff and began, "Excuse me..."Before he could say more than two words, the staff member was called away for duty, their fleeting glance showing no change in expression.Instantly, Juelz felt a wave of discouragement wash over him.Zak was present for the ad shoot. Juelz had hoped to catch Zak's attention, perhaps gain some advantage, but the dismissive staff member shattered that hope entirely.Amidst the hustle and bustle, no one spared a moment to offer help. Left to his own devices, Juelz struggled to rise from his wheelchair and laboriously maneuver it onto the steps.Just three steps, yet it took him five painstaking minutes. Nearly toppling over upon returning to his wheelchair, he was flooded with a mix of humiliation and anger.As
Juelz sighed deeply, bending down in a futile attempt to reach the bank card. Despite his best efforts, it remained just beyond his grasp. Frustrated, he gritted his teeth and reluctantly abandoned the wheelchair to retrieve it.His trembling fingers struggled to pick up the card from the ground, his nails painfully digging into his skin. After several agonizing minutes, he finally managed to grasp the card, a triumphant grin spreading across his face as he prepared to return to the wheelchair. However, his attempt to steady himself failed, and he toppled to the ground.Unfazed, Juelz chuckled as he lifted himself back into the wheelchair. "I'll keep my word and stay out of your sight."Pausing for a moment, he tentatively asked, "There's two hundred thousand in here, right?"Zak remained silent, his expression betraying no emotion.A sense of unease crept over Juelz as he locked eyes with Zak. "Are you deceiving me? Is there no money in here?""Who said there had to be money in the b
Seven years later, in Utah Valley, November brought persistent cold winds that failed to dampen the vibrant nightlife. The city thrived with bright lights, dazzling neon signs, and bustling streets. Nighttime outshone the day, especially at the riverside bar, where the young and carefree found their haven. Zak was a familiar face, visiting almost every weekend to enjoy a drink, listen to music, and unwind in the liberating atmosphere. Despite being surrounded by people, he often remained passive. As a resident singer poured their heart out in a melancholic love ballad, Zak, true to his routine, ordered a drink and settled into a booth, quietly observing. Despite being present, he felt disconnected from the scene. Lost in his thoughts, Aliza suddenly tapped his shoulder with excitement. Zak, slightly annoyed by the interruption, opened his narrow, upturned eyes. Despite expecting another attempt to point out someone attractive, he followed her gaze. Amidst the dim blue lights and b
The car fell into a momentary silence before Daphne's voice pierced the quiet, her tone now more mysterious than before, a subtle smile gracing her lips as she began, "I remember, back then..." Zak anticipated her words. It was widely known that he had once pursued Daphne unsuccessfully, a fact acknowledged by both of them. Zak couldn't help but find the situation ridiculous. Could he have truly left such an impression on Daphne that, even after all these years and despite her being married, he couldn't shake her from his mind? Zak chuckled before interjecting, "Daphne, what are you trying to say?" Daphne's voice trailed off. "I simply acted out of a sense of duty, giving you a ride home. Do you honestly believe I still have feelings for you? Please don't misunderstand; I would extend the same courtesy to a stranger in need." Zak said. Daphne struggled to find her words, prompting Zak to add, "I've long moved on from the uncertainties of my youth." When coupled with the word "you
"Zakky, I think I have a fever..." Daphne's voice trembled weakly over the phone, even softer than last week's drunken call. Despite the distance, Zak could feel her discomfort. His brow furrowed, showing no concern, only indifference as he lowered his voice. "Why call me if you're feeling unwell?" "There's no one else..." "What about your husband?" "I don't have a husband..." Not because her husband's not around, but because she doesn't have a husband. Divorced? Daphne's breaths came in labored gasps, each word a struggle. Zak remained silent for a moment before replying, "If you're really unwell, call 911. Why reach out to me? Or do you want me to call for you?" Daphne had been popular back in Utah, surrounded by friends. So why turn to him now? A hint of irritation prickled within Zak. Didn't Daphne understand? Did she think that after seven years, she could just come back into his life as if nothing had changed? No response came through the phone, only the heavy rhythm o
Daphne's mind floated back to the scene of Zak's departure seven years ago, her heart tore painfully, as if a thousand ants plopped down from the soles of her feet and gnawed at her heart, she gasped heavily in pain, her eyes, which were already burnt red, became even redder, she lifted up the quilt, put on her slippers and chased after him out the door, she knew that she couldn't be left alone in that dead house, there was no way that she could stand it.Her voice was soft and polite, the teacher above her head kept staring, Zak had to throw the love letter back into the drawer and pretend to listen to Daphne."In fact, I've looked for one, but I resigned within two days, those jobs... are not suitable for me.""I just thought you might not have gone far, and that I might be able to retain you if I came down." Daphne tilted her head sideways, only then seeing Zak's car parked off to the side, chagrined that she should have realised sooner and not...She obeyed and didn't move, only f
"How about giving it to you in advance today and eating it might put you in a better mood?"Daphne was quick to send her a kitten surprise emoji.Aliza is a day and night nothing to do with the big idle people, people like good connections, and know her very well as a person, quickly agreed to help her find a reliable person to come, and specifically for that person to do "Zak assistant special training".Zak chooses not to reply, does not need to explain too much, what to go for is none of Daphne's business.Saying that, Zak handed out another gift that he had apologized for not replying to her messages because he had left her hanging for two days.It's Daphne.Aliza deliberately lowered her voice, but still couldn't hide her excitement, "Zakky, guess who I met?" "Who?"Zak had been drinking some too, and wondered if it was her brain that was confused.[Has Zakky been busy lately? It's okay if I wait a little longer, as long as I wait.]] It was true that Zak didn't pass her friend re
Daphne was sitting next to him, obviously a little distance away at first, but now she was sitting so close that their thighs were if anything pressed together, and Daphne's sheepish voice rang through the compartment, "Zakky smells like alcohol, have you been drinking? Must be sleepy, you can close your eyes and sleep for a while, I'll call you when we get there."Daphne stood in front of her, meek without a hint of temper, mumbling some cute words to coax her, trying to slowly melt the ice in Zak's heart."Zakky, we're here."Zak had always been like that, with a slight cleanliness fetish, but those cleanliness fetishes of hers never worked on herself seven years ago.Had Daphne done something too intimate with her in the car?In fact, Zak had thought about Daphne's reason for sitting alone by the river on the way here, she hadn't thought that Daphne had come here to stay because she had dragged herself into the night in order to personally deliver her clothes and didn't dare to go