Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"I can write it. Back when the film was looking for a distributor, I already had my eye on it—it's got real breakout potential."

Yates' gaze was sharp and intense. When his eyes met Jessica's, she could feel the heat in them instantly.

She murmured a quiet thank you and looked away.

She knew about the childhood engagement-their families had arranged it long ago. She remembered they'd met as kids, but that was all; the rest was a blank. They hadn't really been in touch over the years. Yates had spoken up for her once at the Zimmerman family's birthday banquet, but that was about it.

To her, Yates was still a near-stranger.

Vince, on the other hand, she'd known for years.

After dinner, the three of them headed for the cinema.

Vince carried the film reel off to the projectionist, while Yates went to the counter and returned with a tub of popcorn and three sodas.

He handed Jessica the popcorn and one of the sodas. "Can't watch a movie without these."

"Thank you."

Another thank you. So polite. So distant.

Yates raised an eyebrow, just a little.

"You really don't remember anything from when we were kids?"

He'd kept silent for two days. It was time to do something he couldn't drag this out any longer.

wishes couldn't be ignored. Neither could his own

fever when I was little. When I woke

her, but he hadn't tried to fix her memory

want to

old memories included Timothy, he was in them too. The three of them had played together as

little more closeness between them now. Maybe she'd remember the warmth

so much over the past seven years; her heart was nearly

Those memories were from so long ago. Even if I remembered them, I'm not sure it would change

There wasn't much point.

felt a pang

have to start from

let's go. It's

shot Yates a look, and snorted inwardly. Stealing

Meanwhile, in Riverside City-

It was still morning.

of the hospital and headed to

Bryant Group, with major locations in city centers all across the

Grand Theater, the top cinema chain in

rode the elevator

and he saw what was happening in fron of the theater, he felt something inside him

language, with a host beside him translating. Four others stood nearby,

hard to promote the film, handing out gifts to

couldn't speak, not a trace of self-doubt

Just like his Jessica.

nearly lost his balance. He gripped the handrail and forced himself