Chapter 19: Seeing Riley Make Him Soup
That evening, Jake texted his friends to meet at a bar.
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Mark arrived, only find Jake already drinking heavily. He snatched the bottle. “What’s going on? I came for drinks, not to take care of you.”
Jake, already tipsy, kicked the coffee table.“Damn it, she
Mark sat down, casually asking, “What happened?”
never stops dating.”
Jake remained silent, resuming his drinking. Ethan was worried.“Mark, what’s brother?”
Mark said nonchalantly, “Heartbreak.”
wrong with my
Sthan
Ethan was surprised.“Did he have a fight with Riley?” He was unaware of the situation. Mark nodded. Jake stood up abruptly and yelled, “I said don’t mention her name! Do you want to be my friend anymore?!”
Ethan sighed, trying to calm him.“You’re drunk. Stop drinking. Let’s go home.” Jake shoved him away, shouting, “Hell no! I’m not going home!” He kept driting. They knew his stubborn nature, so they waited until he was completely drunk before taking him
to him
his home. To avoid worrying his mother, they took
the couch, on
Ethan suggested, “Should
we
apartment.
call Riley?”
After leaving Jake Mark said, “They broke up. Call his current girlfriend.” He unlocked Jake’s phone and called Ava
Ava’s sweet voice rang out.“Honey, what’s up? It’s so late.”
Mark shuddered at her saccharine tone. He hadn’t realized Jake liked this type. He cleared his throat.“This is Mark.”
There was a pause.“Oh, hi.” Her voice was finally normal.
He got straight to the point.“Jake’s drunk. Can you
“Now?” Ava hesitated.
“You can’t make it?”
“I can’t leave right now. It’s past curfew.”
come and look after him?”
Mark checked the time -9 PM.“Then forget it.” He hung up before she could respond. Ethan asked, “She can’t come?”
Mark shook his head.“Should we just leave him alone?”
Ethan suggested, “Or maybe we should call Riley?”
Mark immediately refused.“No, they broke up.”
Ethan thought for a while.“Mark, why don’t you go home? I’ll look after my brother.”
“Okay. I have a meeting tomorrow.”
After Mark left, Ethan patted Jake’s face.“Wake up. We’re home.”
Jake swatted his hand away.“Riley, stop it.”
13.1%
Chapter 19 Seeing Play Make Him So
Erhan was stunned. He had thought Jake was over Riley, but it seemed that he was wrong. dighed. “Jake, should I call Riley?
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He
Jake mumbled something unintelligible. Ethan called Riley. She didn’t answer for a long time. He tried again after ten minutes.
“Hello, Ethan? It was connected.
Ethan stood up excitedly. “Riley, my brother’s drunk.”
Riley paused.“Ethan, your brother and I broke up.” She remembered Liam’s scarf. Should she return it to him?
Ethan pleaded, “Please. I have class tomorrow. I can’t look after him. Please.” “Isn’t there someone else at his house? What about Wendy?” Wendy was Jake’s housekeeper.
didn’t see her. Riley, please!”
Riley sighed.“Fine.”
Half an hour later, Riley arrived at Jake’s house. Ethan looked relieved. “You’re finally here!” Riley looked inside.“How is he?”
“He’s on the couch. Please look after him tonight. I’ll go back to school.” He left before she ould say anything.
The next morning, Jake woke up in yesterday’s clothes.“Riley’s a neat freak. She’ll be disgusted if she sees this mess,” he thought.
He showered and felt much clearer. He’d dreamt that Riley had returned, made him hangover soup, and looked after him all night. The room was cold and empty. It was just a dream. He actually hoped she would come back.
Jake went to the living room
and saw hangover soup
on the coffee table.
“Wendy,” he called towards the kitchen.
Wendy poked her head out.“Mr. Perry, what can I do for you?”
“Did she come back?”
Wendy paused.“You mean Miss Aldrin?”
He nodded. Wendy said, “I don’t know. But the hangover soup in the kitchen is the kind Miss Aldrin usually makes.”
Jake found his phone and saw Ethan’s message from last night.“I’ve done now,”
Jake called him, but he didn’t answer. He was probably in class.
my part. It’s up to you
He called Mark.“Mark, you and
and Ethan brought me
home last night,
right?”
“Yeah. Why?”
Did Riley come over?”
Mark hesitated.“Why are you asking?”
Jake impatiently said, “Did she come?”
ou were drunk. Ethan and I brought you home. Then we called your girlfriend.”
13.1%
Chapter 19. Seeing Riley Make Him So…
Jake frowned.“You called Ava?”
“Yes, to take care of you.”
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Jake was disappointed. He hung up, throwing his phone down. It couldn’t have been Ava. He vaguely saw Riley last night. He’d even seen her in the kitchen making soup for him. Was he hallucinating?
He got dressed and left for work. Wendy called out to him.“Mr. Perry, you haven’t had breakfast.” “I’m good.” He headed for the door.
Then, he saw Ava standing awkwardly at his door and smiling at him.
He was surprised.“Ava, what are you doing here?”
“Your friend called
me
last night and said you
were
drunk. I was worried.”
You came last night?”
Ava hesitated, then said vaguely, “I left early, and I came back to check on you.” She was afraid to look at him.
Jake’s mood was complicated.
Seeing his silence, she whispered, “I’ll go back to school.”
Jake stopped her, noticing her cold hands.“Your hands are freezing. How long have you He touched her face; it was also cold.
“I just arrived.”
waited?”
“Why didn’t
you
knock?”
Ava looked down, stammering.
Jake said, “Come in. It’s cold outside.”
She smiled, shaking her head.“It’s okay. Seeing you warms me up.”
Jake ruffled her hair.
She said, “I was worried sick last night.”
Ava snuggled into him. Jake patted her head.“It was past curfew. How did you get out?”
