In a daze, Jonathan’s memory was pulled back by the scene before him, straight to his own high school days.
“Jonathan? What are you doing here?”
Marina rolled her bike to a stop right in front of him.
Snapping back to reality, Jonathan countered, “Shouldn’t I be the one asking you? What brings you here?”
“I made plans with some classmates to visit our old teacher. It’s the school’s anniversary today!” Marina offered up her well–rehearsed excuse.
She looked nothing like her usual elegant self. Today, she’d traded her polished style for the carefree charm of a teenager–fresh–faced, vibrant, and unmistakably youthful.
She could feel Jonathan’s gaze lingering on her, unable to look away.
“You came to visit our old teacher… and didn’t invite me?”
“I figured you’d be busy!” Marina gave an apologetic little smile.
“Lucky for me I was invited to give a speech, or I’d have missed seeing you like this!”
When Jonathan said that, Marina’s sleepless nights suddenly felt worth it.
!
The truth was, she’d been the one to suggest to the principal that Jonathan be invited as a guest for the anniversary.
She’d wanted to “run into” him here, in the very place where they’d once dated as
teenagers.
Just as Marina hoped, the familiar setting stirred old memories in Jonathan.
They walked together under the golden canopy of ginkgo leaves that lined the school’s paths–just as they had all those years ago.
“Jonathan, would you still give me a ride on your bike?”
Meeting Marina’s hopeful eyes, Jonathan nodded.
“Of course.”
It wasn’t exactly easy to ride a bike in a suit, but Jonathan managed. Marina
1955 1
Chapter 203
hopped onto the back seat, just like in the old days.
Handsome guy, beautiful girl–they became the center of attention on campus, a picture–perfect throwback to teenage romance.
Many students stopped to watch, including Niamh.
Niamh was only there because another designer had called her for help, asking her to check the stadium for an upcoming outdoor jewelry exhibition that weekend.
She hadn’t expected to see Jonathan and Marina.
They looked just like a couple of giddy teenagers in love: Jonathan pedaling, Marina holding onto his waist, the whole scene brimming with youthful sweetness. And for once, Niamh couldn’t mistake the look on Jonathan’s face–he was smiling. Not the guarded, inscrutable smile he usually wore.
This time, Jonathan’s smile was open and carefree.
For a fleeting moment, Niamh thought he looked years younger.
She could tell that Jonathan and Marina were chasing the echoes of their first love, right here at their old school. Suddenly, Niamh turned away.
Marina, of course, knew Niamh was there.
In fact, she’d timed their ride to the stadium precisely so Niamh would see them.
“Jonathan…”
Marina pressed her cheek against Jonathan’s broad back, closing her eyes in bliss.
“You’ll get divorced… won’t you…”
The wind brushed past Marina’s ear.
Jonathan’s voice came, calm and steady:
“I will.”
At that very moment, a white BMW took a detour past the Juvenile Rehabilitation
Center.
Niamh pulled over for a moment, then drove on.
That night, she asked Jonathan again about the divorce papers. This time, he didn’t reply.
19:55
A week later, she returned to The Thomas Group.
Inside the conference room, Director Lawson and everyone involved in the cultural exchange gift project were present. Only Marina looked visibly upset.
“Niamh,” Director Lawson said, “the leadership decided to go with your stamp design. Marina’s version–those two dragons–won’t work. Some of the visiting countries have cultural issues with dragons, and we want to avoid any misunderstandings. Your design is the safest bet.”
As he spoke, Lawson gestured for Marina to step forward.
“From now on, everyone, including Marina, will give you their full support. The materials have arrived, so you should be able to finish on time, right?”
“Yes, the schedule’s tight, but I’ll get it done.”
19:55
Niamh agreed without hesitation.
