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Chapter 26
Noelle felt her heart start pounding rapidly. She did not like feeling lost for words. She forced herself to suppress those unfamiliar emotions and drew a long breath before forcibly changing the subject. “Did you ever visit the snack bars right outside the university when you were a student, Mr. Hoffman? I used to enjoy having supper there with my classmates.”
Charles‘ eyebrows raised slightly as he glanced at Noelle and asked, “You guys scaled the walls?”
Noelle blushed, feeling like Charles had seen right through her. However, there was no way she would admit that, and her face turned even redder as she retorted, “No, of course not. We exited through the main gate!”
She had answered so urgently that it made her seem even more like she was trying to cover something up, but Charles merely smiled without saying anything else. She also fell silent, thinking to herself that this man was a little different from the image she had formed of him previously.
The shop Noelle was talking about was near Vista University. One merely needed to cross a road and walk down an alleyway to reach it. During her time as a student, she would often scale the walls and leave the university premises with her friend Sophie Yates or take advantage of when everyone was asleep at night to have supper there. Those were some of the happiest times of her life.
However, she had not been here since her one–year business trip.
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Charles pulled over and turned to look at Noelle. “Why don’t you head over first? I’ll park the car at Vista University!” There were no parking spots available nearby.
“It’s alright, you can just park there so we can go together. I’m not sure if you can find the place yourself,” Noelle replied, thinking to herself that Charles had probably never been down the nearby alleyways. He seemed to have something to say, but after a moment’s pause, he merely nodded and answered, “Alright!”
Charles guided the car into Vista University’s parking lot. When he got out of the car, he gazed at Noelle standing beneath the oak trees, her purse slung over her shoulder as she nudged the pebbles around her half–heartedly. Sunlight shone through the trees and dappled across her. Charles felt like time had slowed down as he narrowed his eyes and looked at her.
When Noelle saw Charles standing with his car keys in hand, she waved at him. “Over here!”
Charles strode over and gazed at her. “Should we take a walk?”
Noelle raised an eyebrow. Autumn was in full swing in Brookville now, and students were traveling around the campus in groups. After a moment’s thought, she shook her head and said, “Maybe next time. Let’s grab something to eat from the shops in the nearby alleyways. before the students‘ classes end. We should be able to get our food without waiting too long!”
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“Alright!”
Noelle was more familiar with the area than Charles was, and they soon arrived at the snack bar she had been talking about. Things were not as ideal as Noelle had expected them to be. Though the students had not been released from their classes yet, the shop still seemed crowded because of how small it was.
Noelle stood outside the shop hesitantly, wondering if she should have brought Charles here. Meanwhile, Charles made his way into the store, seemingly completely at ease. She hurried in after him and made a beeline for a table when she saw someone getting up from their seat. Feeling rather anxious, she reached out to grab Charles‘ hand as they made their way over.” Hurry! There’s a seat there.”
Charles raised an eyebrow as Noelle grabbed his large hands, which were slightly rough to the touch. An odd look appeared in his eyes as he lowered his gaze and looked at where Noelle had grabbed him.
She did not seem to sense anything off and excitedly dragged him over to the table before taking a seat. When she realized Charles was merely standing beside her, she returned to her senses and asked, “What’s the matter?”
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