Cross Lines

Chapter 30: Chaos

Maggie’s pause was brief. She nodded, “Okay, I’ll pass your message to Eva. I think she’ll understand.” A fleeting pause crossed Grace’s eyes, like a ripple on water, but it didn’t escape Maggie’s notice and gave her a hint of what was to come. “What are your plans moving forward?”

Grace fixed her gaze on Maggie, seemingly assessing her. After a moment, she replied slowly, “I think it’s better if you don’t focus too much on me and my affairs.”

Maggie smiled. “Didn’t you say you had moved on? Truly moving on shouldn’t require such deliberate avoidance, right? Besides, I didn’t come here just for Eva.” Grace raised an eyebrow, waiting for Maggie to continue.

“I’ve heard about you before, from other places.”

“Really?” Grace responded without much interest or change in expression.

“In those stories, your life seems like a legend.”

A cold, dismissive laugh from Grace was her only reaction. Maggie wasn’t deterred. “Since you don’t want to dwell on the past, let’s move on. Life must go on, right?”

Maggie paused, “In some ways, we should be considered similar.”

“Similar…?” Grace questioned, skeptical.

“I also prefer... people of the same gender as me.”

Grace’s lips curled into an ambiguous smile. “Good luck with that.”

“Shouldn’t you not negate your entire past just because of a hurdle?”

Grace’s gaze returned to Maggie. “Are you lecturing me?”

Maggie raised an eyebrow. “Well, maybe a bit?”

Another cold laugh from Grace, who clearly wasn’t interested in continuing the conversation. “Alright, perhaps we’ll have another chance to discuss this. For now, I’ll take my leave.”

Maggie stood up, nodded to Grace, and headed toward the door. Grace also stood but stopped her.

“Wait a moment.”

Maggie paused, looking back. Grace pulled out a few bills from a drawer. “You were the one who had them send things, right? Here’s the money.”

Maggie felt awkward and unsure. Grace, not being a close acquaintance, wouldn’t accept it, but mentioning Eva might make things worse.

“Thank you for the gesture, but it really isn’t necessary. I have plans for the future, and you don’t need to help further.” Grace’s tone softened slightly, and Maggie saw her resolve. She accepted the money, took out a business card, and said, “Here’s my contact info. If you need anything, feel free to call.”

Grace took the card. “Got it.”

Maggie, hand on the door handle, turned back one last time. “One final question—will you be leaving the city?”

Grace’s expression remained calm. “No, I will stay here and pick up from where I fell.”

A genuine smile spread across Maggie’s face. “That’s really good to hear.”

Outside the hotel, Maggie stood for a moment, reflecting. Grace’s current state stirred many emotions in her. Such a beautiful relationship had come to this point, evoking sympathy even from outsiders. Today’s encounter was bittersweet—she would take it slow.

Maggie sighed deeply, then remembered a close friend’s daughter was having a full-month celebration. It felt like life was a treadmill, never allowing a moment of rest. She drove over to deliver a gift and joined a lunch. Later, she met Lola for a shopping trip, which was already planned.

In the second-floor lounge of the mall, Lola, holding two lattes, leaned against the glass railing, smiling gently at Maggie. Lola’s calm demeanor always made Maggie feel relaxed. Maggie took the coffee and adjusted her bag, with Lola naturally linking her arm through Maggie’s.

“Have you had lunch?”

“Yeah, just a quick meal.” Maggie sighed, “What about you?”

“I spent the morning experimenting with honey-glazed wings.”

“Did you succeed?”

“Next time, you should come and try.”

Maggie laughed. “Sounds like the chicken wings had a rough time.”

Lola stopped walking. “Hey!”

“Hm? What are you looking to buy?” Maggie diverted the topic.

“Next week, I’ll be accompanying the chairman to Russia. It’s still very cold there, so I need some warm clothes.”

“Russia?” Maggie’s curiosity was piqued.

“Yep.” Lola casually entered a store, and Maggie glanced at her. “Wait… it’s you going?”

“Hmm?” Lola looked puzzled.

“Isn’t it usually you only go with trips to Japan and Korea? Do you speak Russian too?”

Lola shook her head and laughed. “Who said you need to speak Russian to go to Russia? English is the global language now.”

Maggie nodded. “Oh.”

Then she browsed the nearby clothing rack, not pursuing the topic further. Jasmine’s earlier words resurfaced, making Maggie feel uneasy.

After a while, Lola found a semi-long wool-collar down jacket. After trying it on in the fitting room, she came out to ask Maggie’s opinion. Maggie, with her keen eye for fashion due to her profession, was often asked by friends for advice. The salesperson adjusted the collar, and Maggie examined the jacket.

“It looks good! The style and color are great…”

Maggie hesitated, speaking slowly. She noticed the store’s high-end brand, with high-priced items, and was concerned about making Lola uncomfortable. However, Lola simply instructed the salesperson, “Wrap it up.”

Lola took out her wallet, presenting two cards. “Are the membership points still doubled?”

Clearly a regular, Lola’s casual handling of expensive clothes didn’t go unnoticed by Maggie, making her feel a bit strange. Yet, she chose not to delve into it, respecting her friend’s privacy.

The shopping ended with both of them carrying too many bags. After a quick dinner, Maggie drove Lola home, then headed to Eva’s bar.

Emily Luo was there on her day off, looking weary. Maggie delicately relayed Grace’s message, and Eva, though not overly surprised, managed a strained smile.

“In the past, I handled most of our issues. This time, I can’t just let it go.”

Maggie and Emily Luo exchanged glances, feeling slightly relieved. The best outcome was Grace staying in the city.

Noticing Emily Luo’s tiredness, Maggie suggested leaving after a brief chat. Before she could speak, Dr. Luo’s phone rang. After a brief conversation, Emily Luo frowned and said, “I’ll head over now.”

She grabbed her coat and was about to leave. Maggie stood up. “I’ll go with you.”

Dr. Luo looked hesitant. “But…”

“You can’t drive, and it’s hard to get a cab now. I’ll take you. She won’t recognize me if she’s drunk.”

Maggie knew Qiqi wouldn’t want to see her, so she proposed this to avoid trouble. Dr. Luo looked unsure but agreed when Eva added, “Let Maggie accompany you. It’s safer with an extra person.”

Emily Luo considered it and nodded. “Alright, let’s go.”

Maggie put on her coat and took the car keys Emily Luo handed her. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Just in case Qiqi gets sick again on the way, it’s better.”

Maggie accepted the keys. “Okay.”

She didn’t feel much, but Eva gave a meaningful look at Emily Luo. As the two hurriedly said their goodbyes, Eva thought about the couple, feeling that sometimes, destiny just can’t be ignored.