billion book
Chapter 844
Chapter 844
The next morning, Karen didn't peel her eyes open until the sun was high in the sky.
Every bone in her body ached, and every muscle groaned in protest. It was as if her limbs were staging a mutiny for the foolish decision to climb that mountain the day before.
"Hurting?" Jeffrey, lying beside her, had developed this sixth sense of waking up the moment Karen so much as twitched.
"Ugh, I'm pretty sure I'm bedridden today."
Jeffrey let out a resigned chuckle and pinched her cheek affectionately. "Told you to pace yourself, didn't I? But no, you had to be the Energizer Bunny."
Karen pouted. "When you're out having fun, you gotta go all in, right?"
"I surrender to your logic. What do you fancy for breakfast? I'll run out and grab it."
"Craving some of that egg and bacon sandwich from Heber's back on one of Everglow City's streets. Stumbled upon it last time I was visiting Dorothy."
Jeffrey's fingers danced over his phone, pulling up the address, and then he pushed himself out of bed. "Hang tight. I'll go fetch it for you."
Her heart warmed, Karen giggled. "Thanks, hubby!"
That endearment was music to Jeffrey's ears. He would fly back to Eldorria City if it meant bringing back a smile on Karen's face.
Watching him dress and dash out, Karen took her time freshening up before bombarding Dorothy with messages.
Karen: [Post-hike syndrome is real. Ouch!]
Karen: [Dorothy, you up yet?]
Everett: [She's sleeping. What's up?]
Seeing Everett pop up in the chat was a surprise.
Karen tried to add him as a friend, but no dice – his settings blocked friend requests.
"Tsk, a man of principles, huh?"
Dressed and restless, Karen decided to step out for a bit. She had barely entered the elevator when a familiar voice called her name.
"Karen?"
She instinctively turned towards the voice.
"Tristan? What are you doing here?"
Her heart sank. Of all places, bumping into her first love in a holiday resort! Material © of NôvelDrama.Org.
"Oh, you know, the folks wanted to check out this new resort. Thought we'd spend a few days. What about you?" Tristan's smile was easy, devoid of any awkwardness as if he had just run into an old friend.
"Same here, just with some friends."
Karen's smile was strained, her mind racing for the elevator to hit the lobby so she could escape.
Tristan, oblivious, handed her his phone. "You changed your number, right? Let me have the new one."
Karen hesitated before pushing the phone back. "I don't think that's necessary. We don't really need to stay in touch, do we?"
Tristan's warm smile faltered. "I just wanted to be friends."
"I don't, so no number."
The elevator dinged open, and Karen made a beeline for the exit.
Tristan, quick on his feet, grabbed her arm. "Karen, wait!"
"Let go of me!" she snapped, ice in her voice. "Don't touch me. We're nothing to each other, and if you lay hands on me again, I'm calling the cops!"
Tristan hadn't expected such a fierce reaction. Sure, their breakup had been his fault, but the Karen he remembered was caring and kind. He had thought she would still have some feelings for him.
"Okay, okay, I'm not touching!" He released her quickly. "I just wanted to talk, that's all. Don't go."
"There's nothing to talk about."
Tristan took a deep breath, his gaze serious. "Karen, I owe you an apology. Let me say I'm sorry, will you?"
"An apology? I'd like to hear this."
Suddenly, a deep voice sounded from above Karen's head.