Shortly after Elian, Eliot left.
He could not get his brother Elian's behaviour out of his head.
He chuckled as he tried to focus on the road while he drove.
Then his gaze landed on the roadside ice cream truck.
Since the ice cream vendor appeared to be taking orders from a woman, Eliot parked his car a short distance from the truck.
"It is been a while since I had some of that." He said with a smile before exiting the car and approaching the truck.
"Here." The lady said as she handed over some money to the ice cream vendor.
"I'd like a pure chocolate ice cream bar." Eliot spoke after the ice cream man delivered the lady's ice cream bar (chocolate flavour).
Hearing the familiar voice made the lady turn as she took the ice-cream.
"Eliot." She called out softly.
He furrowed his brow and turned to the woman, his eyes widening in surprise.
Anthonia smiled as she continued staring at him.
"It's you." She said still smiling.
After gathering himself, Eliot turned to face the ice cream man and gave him some cash, ignoring her entirely.
"Keep the change; just hurry a little." He said to the ice-cream man.
"Remember how we used to love getting ice cream bars together when we were kids... chocolate flavour." Anthonia spoke in a happy tone.
"No." He replied, then turned to face her.
"I can not and will not remember the horrible moments I had as a kid...thanks to the person I had them with."
Her smile faded as she felt a lump in her chest.
She felt her eyes water.
"I...I am sorry; I did not mean to hurt you-" she was cut off by his chuckle.
"Hurt me? You simply made me realize how much of a mistake I would have made if...'sighs,' it does not matter anyways." He said and took his ice-cream bar from the vendor.
He turned and was about to leave but couldn't.
He thought everything was in the past, so why does he feel this way?
He closed his eyes and exhaled.
He then turned to her.
"Why are you back in my life? What do you want? It can't be money since your family has a lot of that." Gazing into her melancholic eyes, he spoke.
"You." Her response made his brow furrow.
"What?" He inquired, so she slowly averted her gaze.
"I--I mean, all I want is your forgiveness, Eliot." She spoke and turned to face him.
"I know you have every right to be angry with me. But...can't we just forget the past and move on?" She inquired, which made him chuckle again.
"That's quite easy for you to say. I moving on should have nothing to do with you-"
"It does,Eliot. You still hold a grudge and if it was affecting only me I'd be just fine, but you..."
"But what? You know what, fine. It's all in the past anyways. Okay now?" He asked with forced smile to see her own genuine smile.
"Really? I need proof." She said
"Proof?" He asked with squinted eyes.
'still silly as always.'
"Dinner tonight by 7 p.m. I'll text you the address." She said, still smiling.
"You don't have my number-"
"Elian gave me your number...I haven't had the courage to text you though." She replied enthusiastically.
Although her response surprised Eliot a little, he just ignored it.
"You attempted to stalk me." He shook his head and threw the ice cream away.
Anthonia was puzzled as she watched him leave.
"You could have asked me, why my brother. If you had gotten it, why did you not text me back?" He muttered in his car.
~ ~ ~
Standing behind the stage, Ariane observed Eliot giving a talk to school-age students about "how to become successful in studying mathematics."
"3. Proceed with the problem-solving. It is likely that your first and second attempts will not yield accurate answers, but persistent practice and a solid understanding of the principles will be very beneficial. However, in order to obtain a more precise result, you could also ask for assistance if necessary." He spun around and touched a button, changing the image on the screen.
"4. Unwinding. If you are stuck on a question, all you need to do now is relax your mind. It probably needs rest don't you think? You are not a robot." He said with a smile which made the students laugh.
Ariane simply smiled at his words.
"5. Make a library visit. Spend some time there reading books that advance your knowledge to acquire new skills and strategies. However, do not spend the entire day there—the library needs to be cleaned." They laughed even harder when he said that.
"At least you are good with young people (teenagers). Even if I told them you are inhuman, they would not believe me."
Ariane said as she stared at him who had a smile on.
"Any questions?" His voice pierced through her mind.
Elian made the first selection after several teenagers raised their hands.
A boy then stood up.
"Sir, you are so successful today. You have two careers, how is that possible?" Elian smiled at the question...it was related to maths but still.
"The second career was acquired by inheritance...I mean, I studied engineering, yes. But also had to fulfill my responsibilities-Being a business man.
However, because my company invents new products, they work in tandem.
My ability as a CEO would have been much lower if I had not studied engineering, particularly mathematics. I would have been confused like. 'what's he saying? And impulse?...It's a lot?' " Eliot said with a smile which made them laugh.
"Next question."
"Do you have a girlfriend, sir?" A boy asked
"Oohh, yes, do you?" Some of them added.
Although Ariane's eyes grew wide, Elian remained calm?
"Girlfriend? These kids, how's that related to maths. Besides, you guys have no idea he's a beast." Ariane muttered.
" I mean, spending many years studying didn't give you the time right?"he continued.
With a smile, he answered, "Good question, well, I do not see studying as time taking...it depends on the way you schedule your time and I never was interested in dating...but now, I do have a finance." Ariane was taken aback.
'is he?...'
"Really? Is she here, sir?" A girl asked this time.
"Sir, is she beautiful? She has to be stunning to match your facial features." Another girl said.
"When are you getting married?"
"Wo, so many questions...just gonna answer two of them. Yes, she is here, and I suppose she is beautiful; however, I do not want to flatter her."
"Oh please, as if I would be flattered by you." Ariane muttered.
"But facial appearance does not matter, pretty or not; she is my fiancee for who she is." He said with a smile which left Ariane a little shocked.
'why does he sound like he meant it.'