Chapter 2 Avoid Him
Charlotte broke out in a cold sweat.
The next day, she went to Ariodale University. After finishing her classes, she packed up and walked out of the gate when someone. behind her called out to her, “Charlotte!”
She froze at the voice.
In the next second, Humberto pushed through the crowd and came up to her. “Why are you avoiding me, Charlotte? Tell me! We were so in love. Why did you break up with me out of the blue?”
Humberto was very worked up, and his loud voice attracted quite a few onlookers.
Utterly terrified, Charlotte looked at him, not daring to say a word.
Humberto had been looking for her for days, yet she had vanished completely after that breakup text. It baffled him–things between them had been perfect, and he had even planned on proposing to her after graduation. What had happened?
“Did something happen, Charlotte? Tell me!”
He sounded so agitated, but she didn’t know what to say. She pushed him away with great force and turned away to leave, and suddenly, he exclaimed, “Charlotte!”
In the next second, a car came to an abrupt stop in front of her. She widened her eyes, gawking at the car, which was only a meter from
Chapter 7. Avoid Him
her.
She was surprised at the sight of Malcolm, who was in the back seat of
the car.
Due to the driver’s sudden braking, Malcolm’s body lurched forward. After steadying the car, the driver, startled by the unexpected situation, immediately turned around and asked, “Mr. Bautista, are you OK?”
Malcolm nodded and then looked at the girl so close to the car.
Charlotte?
Frowning, he stared at her for a long, long time. Just then, a boy who looked obviously worried came into his view. “Charlotte, are you hurt?”
Charlotte, however, kept staring at Malcolm in a trance.
As there were more and more onlookers around them, finally, Malcolm opened the door and stepped out of the car.
He immediately became the center of attention, which was probably thanks to his striking temperament.
Humberto was so focused on Charlotte that he didn’t realize the presence of the newcomer. As he was checking on Charlotte, Malcolm walked up to her and asked, “Were you hit?”
Charlotte stared at Malcolm, terrified. She had never thought he’d get out of the car.
“Mal,” she said.
Hearing this, Humberto looked at Malcolm, puzzled.
Chapter 2 Avoid Him
Malcolm extended a hand to him. “Hello. I’m Malcolm Bautista.”
Humberto had heard of Malcolm’s name and knew Malcolm was Danielle’s fiancé, Charlotte’s future brother–in–law.
He immediately responded, “Hello, Mr. Bautista.
Malcolm remained expressionless at Humberto’s reply as he realized the things going on between Humberto and Charlotte. In the next second, he turned his gaze back to her again. “Where are you going? Need a ride?”
Like before, he left her to decide. If she said no, he’d leave right away.
Trembling all over, Charlotte just wanted to leave as quickly as possible. She answered eagerly without hesitation, “OK…”
She didn’t even say where she was going. Pulling her hand away from Humberto’s grasp, she was about to sit in the car.
Humberto came back to his senses and wanted to grab her hand again. “Charlotte, let’s talk. OK? Can you at least give me a chance to talk?”
Just then, Malcolm raised his hand and stopped Humberto from getting closer to Charlotte. “You may talk to her only after you calm down. I don’t think this is a proper place for you to talk.”
Humberto looked up at Malcolm. “Mr. Bautista, I really need to talk to Charlotte.”
Malcolm replied tonelessly, “Wait till tomorrow.”
With that, he glanced at Charlotte and said, not waiting for Humberto’s response. “Let’s go. Get in.”
Humberto tried to stop them but was blocked by Malcolm’s driver.
He had no choice but to shout at Charlotte. “Charlotte!”
Charlotte froze.
Malcolm had already sat in the car. He looked at her. his gaze slightly deepening.
After a few seconds. Charlotte finally got into the car and sat next to Malcolm.
The driver sat in. too. Then Malcolm said to him, “Drive.”
As the car was driven away from the school gate, Charlotte happened to see Humberto’s face passing by the car window. She suddenly felt a dull pain in her heart, which was suffocating her. But she didn’t reveal her emotions. She just remained seated stiffly.
Malcolm didn’t turn around to look at her, but through the rearview mirror, he saw her expression clearly. The agony and her desperate attempt to hide it mixed together perfectly, casting shadows on her face
All of a sudden, he lost interest and looked away.
Then he said. “Your boyfriend?”
Of course, he knew Charlotte had a boyfriend, and they were very much in love
Charlotte, however, felt dizzy. She said with difficulty, “Not… anymore.”
She was almost sobbing.
“You had a row with him?” Malcolm pressed on.
She answered truthfully. “We broke up.”
He fell silent for a while, not responding or asking her why.
Throughout this whole time, his expression had barely changed, as indifferent as thin snow in early winter. No one could fathom what he was thinking about.
Though Charlotte was feeling down, she didn’t cry. In a pair of jeans, white sneakers, and a white T–shirt, she looked no different from other college girls. But her face, which was supposed to be lit up by her radiant smile, was filled with sadness these days.
Malcolm had never comforted a heartbroken girl before. After a long silence, he asked the driver, “Got any candy?”
Caught off guard, the driver was stunned for a few seconds. Then it suddenly occurred to him that a few days ago, Malcolm had attended a birthday party for the child of one of his friends and had been given candy. He immediately said. “Yes, Mr. Bautista.”
With this, he took out a small, exquisitely wrapped box of candy from the compartment and handed it behind him carefully. Malcolm took it, looked at it for a few seconds, and then gave it to Charlotte. “This happens in college relationships. Have some candy.”
Stunned, Charlotte lowered her head and slowly unclenched her hand from the fabric over her heart.
“Danielle loves candy when she’s upset,” Malcolm said.
Ile had always been cold and indifferent when facing Charlotte, but right now, she actually saw patience and gentleness on his face. She
Chapter 2 Avoid Him
knew they were only preserved for Danielle.
She stared at the candy motionlessly.
Malcolm continued. “Danielle talked about you. She said you love candy, too.”
In the end, she didn’t accept the candy. Instead, she turned around. stubbornly refusing to look at him.
