Chapter 432
The dance company was a hive of activity that day.
Sherilyn was off from her morning duties at the kids‘ dance class, stretching her legs in the rehearsal hall.
“Sherilyn!”
Rebecca came up smiling, and she wasn’t alone–she had a beautiful girl with her.
“Guess who’s here?”
“Ailie?!”
“Surprise!”
Ailie, the girl in question, ran over and embraced Sherilyn, greeting her with a peck on the cheek–a gesture of affection among close friends.
In truth, Sherilyn and Ailie were more than just friends–they were bonded by a life–and–death ordeal.
Who’s Ailie, you ask?
She was the girl from Crestwood’s RED Dance Troupe, the one who found herself and Sherilyn strapped to a bomb. It was Ailie who, in the end, carried an unconscious Sherilyn to safety, escaping certain death together!
“I’m so happy to see you!”
“Me too.”
Sherilyn eyed Ailie curiously. “What brings you here? Are you touring with the dance company?”
“Yeah.” Ailie nodded with a smile. “After what happened, we couldn’t perform locally anymore.”
The central hall of the RED Dance Troupe had been bombed, and repairs were not going to be a quick fix.
“The director arranged a tour, and now we’re ‘crashing‘ various places. Just so happened, we were passing through Sunhaven. I thought, why not come and see you?”
Ailie gestured between herself and Sherilyn. “We’re what you call in Sunhaven… what’s the word… ‘life and death friends‘?”
“Soul sisters!”
“Ha! Yes, soul sisters!”
With a friend visiting from afar, Sherilyn naturally wanted to play the perfect host.
1/2
14:25
But with Ailie catching a flight in the evening, they decided to grab lunch together, with Rebecca tagging along.
Since Sherilyn was still nursing an injured arm, they chose a nearby diner without going too far, inviting Ailie to taste some authentic Sunhaven dishes.
The diner was bustling at noon.
Rebecca, quick on her feet, snagged a table by the window. “Sherilyn! Ailie, over here!”
“Coming!”
They discussed the menu and placed their orders.
Sherilyn was a bit worried. “Ailie, I’m not sure if you’ll like it. If not, we can always get you a burger later.”
However, once the food arrived, Ailie dug in eagerly, nearly burying her face in her plate.
“Delicious, delicious!”
Sherilyn and Rebecca exchanged amused glances. “Then help yourself to more.”
“Will do.”
Ailie was straightforward and didn’t stand on ceremony, making for a lively lunch.
“Hey?”
Suddenly, Ailie pointed at the diner’s TV, which was tuned to a channel for the diners‘ entertainment. “That guy, it’s him!”
“Who?”
Sherilyn craned her neck curiously. The TV was airing a finance news show and today’s feature… was Gilbert.
“Oh!”
Ailie clapped her hands. “Is this man famous in Sunhaven?” →
“Yeah, you could say that.” Sherilyn nodded, puzzled. “Ailie, you know him?”
Rebecca was equally intrigued. “Yeah, Ailie, you seem to recognize him. Are you old friends?” “Not really.” Ailie waved it off with a laugh, then turned to Sherilyn. “Remember you asked me who saved you?”
Indeed, Sherilyn had inquired after her rescuer once before.
For Ailie, describing a face was challenging. All she remembered was a young, strikingly handsome man.
“There.” Ailie pointed at Gilbert on the TV. “That’s him! Sherilyn, this… what’s his name…Anyway, he’s your lifesaver!”