To Be the Perfect Childhood Friend - Chapter 88

“I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to do that.”

Anita hurriedly apologized, trying to explain.

“I just lost my grip, and…”

She bit her lip, mortified. Not only had she asked him to sit down, but she had also managed to get sugar on his pants. She hoped he wouldn’t think she was mocking him.

As Anita turned to call for a tissue or some help, she saw that Finian and Liliana were doubled over with laughter, seemingly finding the situation hilariously funny.

“Finian.”

“Sorry, sorry. I’d like to offer you a handkerchief, but I gave the last one to a lady earlier.”

The handkerchief Finian had given her was already stained with chocolate. After a moment’s thought, Anita reached for a fresh napkin from the table, but Finian gently grabbed her wrist and lowered her hand.

“It doesn’t match the dress code. While attire is flexible, stained clothing is not acceptable.”

Liliana, who had been observing with her chin propped up, made an X with her fingers. Despite the awkward smile on his face, the man did not move.

Anita was curious why he was enduring this. If it were her, she would have already left. Managing to discreetly switch the napkin to her other hand, Anita quickly offered it to the man.

“I’m so sorry. Would you like to use this instead?”

“Thank you for your kindness.”

The man’s slumped shoulders seemed to straighten a little.

“Anita.”

Finian called her in a reproachful tone, but Anita pretended not to hear. She knew well that Finian wasn’t fond of this man, but that didn’t justify leaving him in such an awkward position. If he was embarrassed because of her, that was even more reason to help.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m…”

“Roy Krieger.”

Finian cut in coldly. Anita was taken aback by his rudeness and turned to look at him. Finian shrugged as if he didn’t understand what he’d done wrong.

“What’s the big deal? You only need to know his name. Does the process really matter?”

As Anita watched Roy brush off the cream custard from her clothes, she confirmed that he was finished and stood up. She wasn’t sure why Liliana and Finian were so wary of Roy, but she was not keen on getting involved in their issues.

“W-wait…”

Roy reached out to grab Anita’s sleeve as she was about to leave. Instinctively pulling her arm back, Anita looked at him with surprise. Roy, feeling awkward from her strong reaction, scratched his chin.

“I haven’t learned your name yet.”

“Anita Rodel.”

She briefly introduced herself before continuing.

“I’ll be out for a moment. Just need some fresh air.”

Anita asked Liliana for her understanding and made her way out. As she moved away from the brightly lit and crowded area, she found a quiet path where she could walk undisturbed.

Because the villa was built on a cliff, the garden felt like a terrace floating in the sky. The garden’s edge was fenced with a barrier high enough to reach the chest of an adult man.

The sea at night offered a different impression than it did in the morning. As Anita felt the cool, slightly musty salt air, she approached the fence.

She took a sip from the juice she had brought with her as she stood up. Anita chuckled softly. She had thought it was a thick, opaque juice, but it turned out to be alcohol as well.

“A sip won’t hurt,” she rationalized, taking another small drink from the wine glass. Her body, growing colder in the night air, seemed to warm up a bit.

As she placed the half-empty glass on the flat part of the fence, Anita frowned. The crimson liquid in the glass looked particularly ominous.

‘Just let it go.’

What Finian said was right. It isn’t wise to be stuck on past events.

Her body, which had warmed up slightly from the drink, was now cooling down again. Anita picked up the glass she had set on the fence. Just as she was about to turn back to the table, she heard:

‘Just let it go.’

What Finian said was right. It isn’t wise to be stuck on past events.

Her body, which had warmed up slightly from the drink, was now cooling down again. Anita picked up the glass she had set on the fence. Just as she was about to turn back to the table, she heard:

“Hey, Anita?”

“……!”

She was sure she had been alone. A dark figure emerged from the dimly lit path. Startled, Anita nearly dropped the glass she was holding as she stumbled.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I should have announced my presence.”

The man hurriedly grabbed the glass, which was precariously swaying in Anita’s hand. Although it’s wrong to judge people based on prejudices, the man’s overly apologetic demeanor seemed to soften Anita’s wariness somewhat.

“Do you remember me? Oh, then again, you just saw me, so you must know.”

The man laughed with an exaggerated demeanor, seemingly to cover his embarrassment.

“Yes, Mr. Roy Krieger.”

Anita, who had been holding the glass moments ago, now wrapped her arms around herself, as if hugging her empty hands. The night breeze was cold, and although her wariness had eased, he was still someone she didn’t know.

Whether he was aware of Anita’s defensive stance or not, the man continued to speak hesitantly.

“Let me explain. I don’t know if you’re interested, but…”

The man fidgeted with the glass in his hand, possibly out of nervousness. Anita’s gaze, initially fixed on his face, had now settled on his hand.

“You might not have heard, but I’m involved in a sophisticated food business in Dever.”

“A business?”

As soon as Anita heard about the business, an ominous feeling crossed her mind. She stared intently at his hand and asked the customary question. The glass, which had been shifting from hand to hand, tilted, spilling the red liquid over his hand.

“Oh dear.”

The man looked irritably at his wine-soaked hand. Not finding a place to clean it, he scanned his surroundings and then approached Anita. It seemed he had given up on trying to clean his hand.

“Right now, that’s not the issue… Anita?”

It was only when she heard his flustered tone that she realized she was stepping back.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not feeling well at the moment.”

“But this is a very important matter.”

Important to you, maybe.

It seemed odd that he approached her alone and started talking about his business out of the blue. He struck her as nothing more than a con artist.