To the Love of My Life

Not knowing how long he had been driving, Steve Burton gradually slowed down. That’s when he realized he had unknowingly driven back to the villa area in North Suburb.

He stopped his car for a moment at the entrance of the villa, then slowly drove in. Passing several villas, he finally reached the innermost villa, The Burtons’ Mansion.

As the Burton family had already gone to bed, Steve parked the car, got out, and looked through the fence at the brightly lit room on the second floor of a neighboring villa.

The villa next door belonged to the Gregorys.

The lit room was the one Ruby Gregory had lived in since childhood.

Indeed, she had returned…

Steve leaned against his car, staring at the light from that room, his mind slightly dazed.

–

A business banquet was taking place at the largest club in Ciawell.

With melodious violin music, the tranquil atmosphere in the banquet hall was beautifully decorated, luxurious and grand. All attendees were dressed elegantly and eye-catching, a dazzling sight to see.

Escorting her father, Maxwell Gregory, Ruby spent the entire evening mingling amongst the crowd. Feeling slightly weary, she was just about to suggest taking a break to go to the restroom when Maxwell turned his head and pointed towards a corner, saying, “Ruby, come with Dad for a moment.”

Maxwell pointed to the most inconspicuous corner of the venue.

Ruby assumed her father needed to rest and willingly escorted him over without any objections.

The corner was considerably quieter than the banquet area. The lavish atmosphere had subdued, and the lighting was no longer dazzling, even appearing slightly dim. As they approached, Ruby noticed a man sitting on an elegant European-style couch against the wall, away from the bustling banquet hall. Hidden in the shadows, she couldn’t see the man’s face clearly, but she could sense a familiar, elegant noble air in his demeanor.

Ruby had a vague idea of who it might be and hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should turn back. Her father, Maxwell, addressed the man, “Steve.”

Seated on the couch, Steve Burton heard his name and stirred, turning his head. His gaze first glanced at Ruby’s face, then landed on Maxwell’s. Slowly standing up, Steve spoke in a restrained and graceful manner, “Uncle Gregory.”

“How come you’re sitting here alone?” Maxwell inquired, leading Ruby to the couch and gesturing for her to sit down, as the three of them took their seats.

Though Steve sat casually, an undeniable air of nobility and radiance surrounded him. He maintained eye contact with Maxwell during their conversation, never once directing his attention toward Ruby, nor even bothering to glance at her.

Ruby had anticipated that she would inevitably meet Steve once she returned to Ciawell from Costa Luna. She had imagined their encounter, expecting Steve to be cold and distant towards her. However, she had never thought that he would completely ignore her, as if she didn’t exist, as if that night three years ago when they had spent the night together had never happened at all.