Freddy took it out and saw that it was indeed broken.
He wondered if he could fix it.
The moment Freddy laid eyes on the hairpin, he thought it was beautiful and would look good on her, but never would he have predicted her reaction to rain on his expectant parade.
As Mashauva returned to him after her jog, Freddy handed her a tissue to wipe off as he forced a smile.
"You tired? Here, drink some water."
He handed her a vacuum flask.
Mashauva took a sip, and the temperature was just right. Then she smiled and said, "Thank you, Freddy."
"Anytime. You hold on to it. You've worked up quite a sweat. Rehydrate yourself."
"Okay."
As a thought came to mind out of the blue, Mashauva asked, "Freddy, is Bruno still overstretched?" "Not really. I wouldn't use overstretch."
Oh."
That was all she said in reply.
"What's wrong? You two haven't seen each other for a long time, have you?"
"Yeah."
"Well, since it's Saturday tomorrow, how about we take you hiking?"
"No, no." Mashauva shook her head and quickly refused. "No thanks."
"Why not? Is it because of me?" He assumed he was the reason she rejected so immediately. "Are you still doubting the sincerity of my words?"
"No, I believe you, I just..."
She didn't want to see Bruno yet, not before her weight loss plan worked wonders.
"Anyhow, it's good that Bruno isn't too busy. Freddy, I'm done with my jogging. You should head back."
She waved goodbye and ran off.
stood rooted to the spot until the dark
felt as if centuries had passed when
thing about it
was and if he brought Mashauva out
mind, and after some thought, Bruno dropped his work and
the door, it was pushed
alcohol wafted
the smell, Bruno took a few reflexive steps back, far away from the person behind the
"Ugh!"
alcohol. He staggered and
Bruno grabbed him by the collar and
"F-F*ck off."
drunk and being grabbed by the collar,
was usually strong while
Mashauva's school today,
wild. "Yes, I went looking for her. But so what?
Rejected?
within
did you say to her? Freddy, did you
forgotten, of course,
why were
that Freddy might have said something he shouldn't have to Mashauva
in mind, he
out as he
free
to wake
tell me you've forgotten she still hasn't reached legal age. What the
he fought
I remember. That's why... I didn't have the guts to say anything. I foolishly thought... everything would
the
guess
might have
what,
something."
She had sensed something?
asked me if
did you say?" Inexplicably anxious, a wild thought came to Bruno. "He didn't admit to
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