Chapter 25
Amelia let out a snort.
Isabella clapped her hands enthusiastically. “Well done! Now, may I ask what my job is?”
“You’re the photographer. So, just deal with it.” Amelia patted her shoulder seriously.
Isabella had thought this trip would be a chance to relax, but it turned out to be a side gig instead.
Once they arrived at their stay and tidied up, they headed to a restaurant for lunch, each carrying a large backpack as they made their way into the deep mountains.
“Are you going to start filming or not?” Amelia couldn’t help but remind her as they reached halfway up the hill.
Isabella was panting heavily, the weight of the camera in her bag making her feel like she might collapse. “Film what?”
“The mountain roads! This is part of the material.”
Fine! It was just a mountain path.
By the time they finished capturing enough scenic shots and made their way back down around 8:00 pm, Isabella felt utterly exhausted, while Amelia still looked vibrant and energized.
Who would’ve thought she had such stamina?
They entered a themed bar and ordered a bunch of items, with Amelia picking up the tab. The bartender brought their drinks–both cocktails and juices.
Isabella leaned back in her swivel chair and took large gulps of her juice.
The bar was noisy, with music loud enough to shake the walls.
Suddenly, Amelia exclaimed, “Hey, look over there! Who’s that?”
Following her gaze, Isabella spotted the last person she wanted to see.
of youn
Not far away, a group fashionable men and women were gathered around a wooden bench, surrounded by an array of pretty decorations. It seemed to be the most expensive spot in the bar, littered with empty bottles,
They were playing games, and their raucous laughter nearly drowned out the music.
Xavier was sitting beside Stanley, casually lounging and looking like he had just lost a game. Amid the cheers of his friends, he raised his glass and downed the drink that was almost spilling over.
Chapter 25
With a lazy glance, he noticed Isabella through the crowd after being reminded by his friend. His eyes were slightly glazed with intoxication.
Isabella was so shocked her mouth fell open in disbelief. In her gaze, Xavier raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised as well.
Amelia, sensing the tension, added fuel to the fire. “You two aren’t secretly getting back together behind my back, are you?”
Isabella quickly withdrew her gaze, denying it. “Of course not! Why would I get back to such a person?”
“Then, can you explain how, in such a vast country, you two happened to meet again in this tiny town?” Amelia hiccuped.
To be honest, Isabella found it strange, too. Had Olivia told him she’d be here?
But why did he come over?
Her mind was swirling with confusion in this environment, and she didn’t want to think about
it anymore.
ww
She avoided looking in that direction again and, when their food arrived, she pulled Amelia into a feast, paying no attention to anything else.
After drinking, she found her memory of the entire evening was a bit hazy. The only thing she recalled was trying to get up to leave later and stumbling into someone.
That person steadied her, gripping her wrist firmly until she regained her balance and thanked him.
The next morning, just when her eyelids felt the heaviest, Amelia yanked her out of bed. Hurry up! We need to catch the earliest bus to the nearby village to do some interviews.”
