No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Chapter 97



I was at a bar from 3 PM to 9 PM, sipping drinks more to pass the time than to get a buzz. Eventually, I reached a state of mental blankness and physical lightness.

The owner, James, knew me well enough to keep an eye out, ensuring my solitary drinking sessions didn't end in trouble.

"When are you planning on heading out? Someone coming to pick you up?" James had this fatherly concern about him, looking to be in his fifties, reminding me of what my dad would have been like had he still been around.

"I guess now's good," I mumbled, not really wanting to leave.

But, work awaited me tomorrow, and I needed to rest up. Tonight marked the definitive end of whatever was left of my connection with Conrad.

I started to get up, but James intervened, "I can't let you leave like this. I'll get someone to drive you."

a little alley, into a

visit was during my school days, driven by jealousy and heartache after seeing Conrad dance with a girl who had a crush on him. I ended up here, drowning my

prepared by James. He advised me then, "Whenever you feel down and out, come here. It's not safe

but made sure I was safe. His protective nature

became his mission to protect girls like me, offering

wanting to worry

wait here, don't go wandering off," he instructed before turning

familiar voice

to find Dustin

"James, looks like I won't be

before under this very roof. Meeting him again tonight felt like more than

settle the tab,"

velibe

me next time," James refused, but Dustin, without a word, scanned a QR code, paying a