Chapter 71 - 71 - And Old Friend?

Leon chose to take a taxi on that Saturday night because he didn’t want to make a grand entrance with a luxurious car, especially since it wasn’t his own. Stepping out of the taxi, Leon adjusted his casual yet impressive outfit-a pair of new jeans and a crisp white shirt he had bought just a few days ago. He felt confident, knowing he looked sharp in his stylish clothes. As he walked towards the café, he noticed a woman standing nearby, clearly waiting for someone. She saw him and waved, her smile lighting up her face.

The woman had long, wavy blonde hair that cascaded down her back. She wore a short skirt and a white outfit that matched Leon’s shirt perfectly. Her appearance was striking, and her eyes were full of anticipation as she watched Leon approach.

Leon walked towards the woman, who stood about 1.67 meters tall, or roughly 5 feet 6 inches. “Hi, Leon, how are you?” she said warmly, revealing herself to be Laura.

Leon was taken aback. In his memory, Laura had a straight blonde bob and a tomboyish style. But the woman in front of him looked very feminine with her wavy hair and stylish clothes. However, her smile was unmistakable-it was the same smile he remembered from their senior high school days when they were close.

“Hi, Laura, nice to meet you,” he replied.

“I almost didn’t recognize you. You’ve grown taller, and…” she paused, taking a moment to really look at him, then continued, “You look really cool in that outfit,” she said with a warm smile.

“Thanks, Laura,” Leon said, smiling back. “You look very different too…”

“Really? Which do you think is better, my old style or this one?” she asked playfully, spinning around to show off her current look.

“You look more girly in this outfit,” he commented with a friendly smile.

Laura giggled, “Is that a compliment?” she asked teasingly.

“How about we continue our conversation inside?” Leon suggested.

They walked side by side into the bustling café, which was filled with people, many of whom were couples enjoying their Saturday night dates. There was a slight awkwardness between them as they navigated through the crowd and found a table. Sitting across from each other, they exchanged shy smiles. It had been a long time since they had talked, and it felt as though they were trying to reconnect and sync their thoughts and feelings once more.

“So… Do you live nearby now?” Leon finally broke the silence between them.

Laura smiled and nodded. “Yes, since…,” she paused, seeming hesitant to continue. “Yes, I rented an apartment nearby because I transferred to a new campus.”

Leon sensed there was more she didn’t want to share and respected her silence with a simple smile. For a moment, he forgot that Laura had once disappeared from his life without any explanation. They had never officially broken up, so did that mean they were still dating? “So… you look really handsome and cool, Leon. I bet a lot of girls are attracted to you,” she said with a giggle. “Are you sure I’m not taking up your time on this… Saturday night?”

“No…” Leon replied softly, trying to figure out the sudden direction of her conversation. “If I hadn’t accepted your invitation, I would have been playing games all night,” he added with a chuckle.

“Immortal Legacy?” she asked, tilting her head.

Just then, the waiter arrived with their drinks. Laura smiled and took a sip.

“Yes… Immortal Legacy… Laura,” he answered quietly.

“I play that game too,” she said, continuing the conversation.

They chatted about random topics, clearly trying to ease the awkwardness between them. Should Leon ask why Laura had disappeared back then? Hadn’t he moved on from it? If so, why was he still curious about what had happened?

No, it wasn’t because of romantic reasons. Their relationship had started as a friendship, and he felt the loss of a friend more deeply than that of a girlfriend. If there had been a problem, Laura should have explained it to him.

As time went on, they talked more about the game and their individual interests.

“I chose this city because I grew up here,” she said. “It’s a small town, close to the sea and the mountains. That’s why this place always holds a special meaning for me, especially the memories left here,” she said.

“Welcome back then, Laura,” he said.

“You too…” she replied.

Leon tilted his head, puzzled.

“You are also one of the reasons I came back to this town,” she said with a giggle.

Did he need to confirm that statement?

As their conversation progressed, they found themselves becoming more at ease with each other. The initial awkwardness faded, replaced by a genuine sense of familiarity and comfort. It felt like they were rediscovering the friendship they had once shared. Leon’s smiles grew more natural, no longer just polite gestures but expressions of true enjoyment and connection.

“So… you said you’re making money from gaming?” Laura asked with enthusiastic curiosity.

“No, not quite like that. I just got a bit lucky, Laura,” Leon explained, his smile widening. “But it’s enough for me to buy some things I want.”

“There are so many people playing Immortal Legacy trying to make money from it, but most end up disappointed,” she remarked. “So, is your level high, Leon? Tell me your Gamer Name, I’ll find you in the game.”

“No, my level isn’t that high, so I don’t think it would be worth it for you to meet me in the game,” he replied.

Laura giggled. “My level is high, you know. I could help you level up. Wouldn’t that be a nice offer as an apology?” she said. Suddenly, the conversation between them fell silent.

They looked at each other for a moment, their faces reflecting a mix of emotions and unspoken thoughts. It was clear there were many things they both wanted to say, but a barrier seemed to hold them back, preventing them from voicing their feelings.

“So…” Laura continued, breaking the silence with a smile. “Tell me, Leon… do you have a girlfriend? Tell me, tell me… You’re handsome and cool. I want to know what kind of girl is close to you,” she said with a giggle.

“No…” Leon replied, shaking his head and smiling. “No, nothing like that, Laura. You were the first and the last girlfriend I’ve had so far,” he said. His answer brought another moment of silence between them, as they both avoided making eye contact.

The awkward silence felt both long and short, a strange blend of time. fгeewebnovёl.com

Laura then stood up, and it was as if the world started moving again, with the sounds around them filling the void that had surrounded them. “I’m going to the restroom for a moment,”

she said.

“Yes,” Leon replied. He watched her walk away, his gaze following her until she disappeared from view. A sense of déjà vu washed over him, reminding him of a time when she had suddenly left and didn’t return for a long period.

Feeling the need to use the restroom himself, Leon stood up and headed in that direction. As he passed by the women’s restroom, he heard Laura’s voice talking on the phone. He paid little attention at first, until one word caught his ear, making him stop in his tracks as if struck

by an electric shock.

“I think you’re right about him, Bob,” Laura said.