Coming out of the room, Maria walked into the elevator and arrived in the lobby on the first floor in a daze. Outside, heavy snow was falling, and there were fewer pedestrians on the streets. The once bustling city was now quiet because of the snow.
The hotel staff were all wearing thick down jackets. Seeing Maria coming down from upstairs, one of the staff enthusiastically approached her and asked if she wanted to check out. She nodded.
“Hello, please show me your key and room card.”
Maria handed them over, leaning on the counter with her mind in chaos, wondering where she should go now.
Just then, she noticed the LCD TV on the wall playing the morning news. A well-dressed female anchor was solemnly reporting on the major news from last night.
“According to the report from the Southern Wind Magazine at 23:08 yesterday, the city organized a large-scale antipornography operation. The police dispatched two teams to conduct surprise inspections on the Vintage Club, the largest club in the city…”
The video was shot yesterday evening, and the lighting was not very good, so the picture looked chaotic. But it was still possible to see how the men and women inside were cowering in the corner waiting for inspection.
The barrage was filled with discussions from onlookers. Even the hotel staff were gossiping quietly.
“Oh, I actually saw my uncle in there. If my aunt finds out he went to such a place, he’s done for!”
“Well done! Those ladies in the Vintage Club have swindled so many people’s money.”
“I heard from my boyfriend that he worked overtime all night last night, but the main purpose was not to crack down on vice.”
“Why is that?”
Someone curiously asked.
The girl lowered her voice as if afraid of being heard and replied softly, “It’s because of the recent uproar over the child abduction cases. Another wealthy family’s child went missing yesterday, seems to be surnamed Banks.”
“That Mr. Banks used to bring his home wrecker here to stay. He’s almost fifty years old and only has one precious son.”
Maria naturally heard their conversation, and one thing was clear – everyone abhorred human traffickers. And she was one of the accomplices.
“Miss, your check-out procedures have been completed. The total is 2998, plus a 500 deposit.”
Maria was daydreaming, absent-mindedly heard her say “okay” and turned to leave, not caring about the deposit at all.
“No need.”
The waitress looked at the money she hadn’t handed over yet and wondered if she could secretly take it as hard work pay.
Just then, the gentleman who booked the room last night came down, and she was so scared that she immediately dispelled the thought and handed him the money.
“Sir, this is your deposit.”
Sean, not seeing Maria’s figure, became anxious. He quickly asked, “Where’s the lady who came with me?”
“Huh? That lady just left.”
It wasn’t until this moment that Sean realized that her saying she was waiting downstairs for him was a lie. Maria had never intended to stay with him.
“Where did she go?”
The waitress pointed to the door.
Sean dashed out, leaving the $500 deposit in the waitress’s hand. She secretly rejoiced. If more wealthy people like this came, she could buy a genuine LV bag next month.
On the other hand, Sean ran back and forth on the snowy ground for a long time without seeing Maria’s figure. Ignoring the snowfall, his handsome face turned red.
Calling out Maria’s name loudly.
The wind rushed into his throat, making him feel cold all over.
“Maria! Come out… let’s talk properly, can you stop hiding from me?”
“Maria…”
Unfortunately, all he got in response was the sound of the wind whistling past his ears and the rustling of snowflakes falling. The world was so quiet as if he were the only one left.
A sense of unprecedented helplessness made Sean at a loss.
Even if she doesn’t like me… she should, at least, say goodbye properly.
Why did she leave secretly?
Sean stood alone in the snow, his slender figure looking particularly lonely and desolate against the white snow.
Seeing this scene, Maria, who was hiding behind the convenience store, cried silently.
He came out to find her, indicating that he also cared about her.
Wiping away her tears, the woman walked stiffly towards him, coming up behind him.
Suddenly, a pair of fair hands hugged him, and Maria’s cold voice sounded behind him.
She asked him, “Sean, do you like me?”
At that moment, Sean seemed to hear his own heartbeat, so clear and powerful.
He couldn’t believe it, looking down at those small hands, feeling the warmth coming from behind him, a sense of happiness returned.
Turning around firmly, he lowered his head and kissed her lips, all the answers were in this passionate kiss.
At that moment, the snowy scenery became romantic because of this loving couple, and winter didn’t seem so hard to endure.
Passersby couldn’t help but look at them. The handsome man and beautiful woman kissing in the snow seemed like a scene from a romantic drama brought to life.
After the kiss, Sean smiled and rubbed her head gently, his movements extremely gentle.
“Yes, I like you!”
“Then what about my sister…”
“That’s all in the past. I used to like her, but I promise you, Maria, in the future, I will only love you in my life.”
Maria knew she shouldn’t dwell on his past relationships. After all, who doesn’t have a past?
She also dated Quinn.
Maybe it was because that person was her sister that she felt particularly awkward and wanted to know his thoughts.
Now that she got the affirmation, Maria’s mood suddenly became brighter, and she knew where she was going next.
This time, she firmly took Sean’s hand and said, “Can you accompany me somewhere?”
“You’re my girlfriend, of course.”
Sean’s girlfriend…
This title sounded sweet in Maria’s heart.
A quarter of an hour later, at the police station.
The deep blue building was covered in white snow, looking especially beautiful in the snow, with the red flags at the entrance fluttering in the wind.
That splash of bright red caught Maria’s eye, like a reflection of her inner self, burning with heat.
Sean seemed to understand why she came here and stopped, fully embracing her.
“Go ahead, no matter how long it takes, I’ll wait for you.”