Chapter 1
I'd never expected that we would meet again in that way.
...
Standing before Paisley Logan, the landlady wrung her hands, looking as if she was in a dilemma.
Though they were not that intimate, they had lived together for more than one year. Hence, it was a bit embarrassing for her to ask Paisley to leave, especially on New Year's Eve.
Paisley had rented a room in a three-bedroom apartment from her. It was originally a study, and the landlady leased it to Paisley after roughly tidying it up and adding a small single bed to it. They would live together at usual times. Nonetheless, several minutes ago, the landlady's son, who was now living abroad, called her and told her that his company suddenly asked him to go back to the country for a business trip and that he would like to take this chance to reunite with his parents.
The landlady's son rarely went back, plus it was a day for a reunion, so naturally, she didn't want an outsider in her house.
Before the landlady spoke, Paisley picked up her coat and scarf and then said smilingly, "It happens that I have an appointment with my friends. Madame, I won't go back tonight."
Indeed, she didn't have any friends because she had never been close to anyone in this city.
Of course, the landlady was clear of it, but she still accepted this excuse. She said apologetically, "It's late now. Be careful."
She was sincerely concerned about her as she was a bit guilty. Looking at the landlady who was smiling apologetically at her, which was a rare scene, Paisley felt relieved. The landlady didn't do anything wrong. She was just a mother who wanted to reunite with her son. Paisley reached out, hugged the landlady tightly, and said, "Madame, happy New Year's Eve."
She turned around after finishing the words because she just wanted to hug the landlady.
Paisley and her mother rarely shared such a peaceful moment. Even if it was New Year's Eve, she couldn't send her New Year wishes or hug her.
Paisley was greeted by cold air when she walked out of the building. She rubbed her hands. "It's really cold." She sighed inwardly.
Walking on the street, she thought she could get a room in a hotel to make do with it. She had gotten a year-end bonus not long ago, hence, she didn't have to limit her budget like she had done in the past two years.
"Where should I go?" Paisley asked herself inwardly. The street was rarely quiet as people would either stay at home to have a reunion dinner or go downtown for a countdown. The stores on the street had been closed early. Paisley had walked for a while, but she still couldn't find a hotel. She slowly walked forward as she was not in a hurry. She felt upset. It was a day for a family reunion, yet she ended up wandering on the street alone and had to find a place to spend the following tough hours.
However, what could she do even if she felt upset and angry?
Paisley had suffered a lot over the past years. No matter how ridiculous a thing was, she now could let it go with a smile.
She could turn around without defending herself or arguing with others. In the past, when someone pointed at her nose and scolded her for being apathetic, she would sneer and question them why she should be merciful to them. But now, if she met the same situation, she would only lower her head without saying a word. Paisley was clear that she was waiting for death. For her, living in the world had unknowingly become a long wait for death. She wouldn't expect anything, nor would she get surprised. When she looked into the mirror, she only saw a pair of hopeless, hollow eyes. It seemed like nothing in this world could trigger her emotions.
Some people would get old easily because they were very selfish and only cared about themselves. Paisley was one of this kind.
"Maybe this is the reason why I can only stand on the street alone now." Standing on the quiet street and looking at the illuminated houses around, Paisley thought to herself. The lights looked warm, just like the campfires at night. No matter how far away it was, it would give people hope. Nonetheless, no one would keep a light on for her. Paisley subconsciously reached out, seeming to be yearning for something, but what she got was the cold air that swarmed into her sleeves as well as a snowflake.
It drifted down and landed on her palm. The next moment, it melted into a drop of water. At first sight, it might look like a drop of tears.
Paisley looked up in confusion, only to see boundless snowflakes in the air. It was snowing.
The snow was heavy and the surroundings were covered with a white color soon. Paisley stood on the spot motionlessly. She then raised her head to welcome the snow. She loved it because she thought it was like a pure, light elf. When she was young, she liked to squash her nose against the window and look out at the falling snowflakes outside while picturing a scene of a pure world that was covered with white snow in her mind.
Someone once gifted her a snowman with a "heart" in it. He told her that the "heart" would still exist even when the snowman melted, just like his love for her.
It was such sweet talk. But which young people could resist it?
Paisley shook her head and withdrew her gaze, preparing to continue with her task of finding a hotel. But she suddenly found a man holding a black umbrella walking toward her. He didn't walk fast, or precisely, he walked a bit slowly with his back straightened. The black, figure-flattering long coat made him look tall and straight. However, his pace was always casual, which was typical of him and made him look like a passer-by who was casually appreciating the snow-covered landscape.
Paisley didn't move, or more precisely, she couldn't even raise her foot. "How many years have we not seen each other?" she asked in her heart.
The last time when they met, his ever-so-smiling handsome face looked contorted as he cursed, "Paisley Logan, you're really evil-minded. No one will love you."
How did she respond to it? Oh, right, she answered with her head raised, "Someone will love me."
However, she still had nothing after several years. No one loved her.
As expected, the man walked over, stood before her, and said in surprise, "Oh, Paise?"
He glanced at her and smiled, seeming as if he had anticipated this. Then he said, "It's still the same. No one loves you."
She didn't change a lot. The white coat made her slim body look lighter. She seldom wore gaudy clothes, nor would she try to be nice to anyone. Just like what was happening now. Though she was looking at him, she looked indifferent and wouldn't take him to her heart.
Paisley didn't say anything and just gazed at him. The man standing before her was Matthew Waylon.
He was still such a self-contradictory person. He was indeed an arrogant person, but he would smile amiably at everyone. He appeared to be a willful person, but he was passionately devoted to her. In the very beginning, she detested his frivolousness; later, she hated his passion. He always called her "Paise" like mumbling a spell. It sounded soft yet inexplicably dominant.
No one in this city would call her "Paise" because she had concealed everything about her in the past.
Paisley remained silent. The snowflakes on her had melted and slowly infiltrated into her coat, making her feel chilly. However, no matter how cold it was, it was incomparable to the desolation brought by Matthew's appearance. Yes, it was desolation. She only felt empty and desolate when meeting the man whom she once loved again. Her eyes felt sore and she somehow wanted to cry.
"What's wrong?" Matthew whispered into her ear, his breaths drifting into her ear. He said softly as if he was mumbling to his lover, "My Paise, aren't you going to congratulate me for leaving the prison? I'm back. You get someone to love you again."
"Look at yourself." He clicked his tongue, took a step back, and then looked her up and down. Then he said in a pitiful yet scolding voice, "Your parents have a fortune of more than one hundred million, but you look like a poor person who doesn't have a dad, a mom, or a family. You end up on the street on New Year's Eve and can't even find a place to stay. How can I not worry about you in such a case?"
Paisley looked up. She had grown more mature that she wouldn't argue with him. In contrast to Matthew's exaggerated performance, she said flatly, "You're out?"
More precisely, he had left the prison. It had been three years and he should be discharged.
"Turns out you still remember I was sent to prison," Matthew said through gritted teeth. How could she say those words so calmly? He squinted at the girl before him. If those things hadn't happened, maybe he would still be captivated when seeing her face. She looked pure and composed, like an orchid remaining aloof from the world. In the past, a smile from her was enough to make him feel that it was worthwhile to give her everything.
"This should be the sincerest sentence he has said tonight." Paisley thought to herself. Of course, she remembered it because she was the one who sent him to prison. Paisley gazed at him and said calmly, "Matthew, we're even."
Then she walked past him and walked forward. It was a long night and she needed to find a place to stay.
But someone grasped her hand after she took several steps. The next moment, she was pulled into a warm embrace. His coat made a beautiful arc in the air and then landed on them like a huge canopy. It was heavy and had the warmth and scent of Matthew. Hugging her tightly, Matthew asked, "Where are you going? I'm coming. Do you think I'll still let you stay alone?"
Paisley didn't answer him. She looked at the snow in confusion as if one of the lights in the distance was lit for her.
She was very tired. She gave up and nestled on his chest with her head on his shoulder and listened to his heartbeats. She then whispered, "It's so cold."
"Pardon?"
"It's so cold."
It was really cold. This world always made her feel cold. But no matter how cold it was, it was incomparable to the coldness she felt when she was ten.
It was also New Year's Eve. At that time, she, in thin clothes, kept knocking at the door the whole night. But no one opened the door for her. She cowered at the door, hugging her knees. When she thought she would die, someone put a heavy coat on her, just like now, giving her the warmth of the whole world. Paisley's eyes got wet. She hugged Matthew tightly. It was so cold, really cold.
...
The one who first gave you the pain was always the one you loved.