Cross Lines

Chapter 22: Bewilderment

Maggie and Emily Luo locked eyes. Dr. Luo seemed hesitant, and after a moment of hesitation, she walked in. However, she didn’t look at Maggie again but headed straight to the changing room at the back.

Maggie glanced back at Eva.

“Seems like a regular, huh?”

Eva remained silent, still smoking her cigarette. When Emily Luo came out again, she was dressed in a form-fitting turtleneck and long pants, exuding a graceful and alluring presence that quickly drew many gazes. With the bar crowded, Emily Luo scanned the room but didn’t find a free spot. However, there were a few empty seats at the bar where Maggie was sitting.

After a brief pause, Emily Luo walked over and sat down at the bar, taking a seat one place away from Maggie, her long legs crossing elegantly.

Xiao An brought over a glass of juice for Maggie, and Eva smiled slightly,

“The tastes do seem quite similar.”

Dr. Luo heard this and glanced at Eva, then at Maggie, but said nothing. Maggie had no significant reaction either. They sat at the bar in the same posture, sipping the same drink, with no exchange between them.

Eva shook her head and soon went to the back, while Xiao An moved to the other end to mix drinks, leaving a space filled with silence. The bar's music wasn’t loud, and the background chatter didn’t interfere with conversation, but the two women seemed content to sit in quiet, each lost in their own thoughts.

After a while, Maggie spoke up,

“I thought you might just turn around and leave.”

Emily Luo gave a slight smile, turning to look at Maggie,

“Is there a need to?”

Maggie smiled,

“Getting a confession from someone you don’t like should be a bit off-putting, right? Or… is it something you’re already used to?”

“Used to?”

“Someone confessing to you.”

Dr. Luo’s brow twitched, “Someone of the same s*x? No, you’re the first.”

“So, how do you feel?”

This time Emily Luo also smiled,

“What do you want me to feel?”

Maggie felt a bit nervous but still stubbornly looked her in the eye, “Of course… that you’re moved.”

To Maggie’s surprise, Emily Luo nodded without hesitation,

“Yes, I’m moved. And, I never said you were someone I disliked.”

Maggie was taken aback and looked at Dr. Luo, waiting for an explanation. Emily Luo did not avoid her gaze,

“Maggie, I find it hard to describe this feeling. I think I do enjoy spending time with you. But the ‘liking’ I’m talking about is different from what you mean. Do you understand?”

Blinking, Maggie slowly lowered her head and, when she looked up again, her lips were still smiling,

“Understood.”

Dr. Luo seemed satisfied with this response, nodded, and turned away, signaling that this topic was over. Maggie sipped her drink, contemplating,

“But… I think feelings can change over time…”

Emily Luo’s expression faltered, and when she turned back, she seemed colder,

“Don’t make assumptions about others, Maggie.”

“Sorry, I guess I’m just overvaluing my own thoughts.”

Maggie realized her comment might have been impolite and quickly apologized. Dr. Luo didn’t seem angry,

“‘Like’ is a beautiful word. Don’t complicate simple things; it’s not good for anyone.”

As Emily Luo spoke, she got up from her chair, looking like she wanted to leave. Maggie quickly reached out and grabbed her wrist.

Dr. Luo was surprised, looking down at Maggie’s hand on her wrist, then back up at her, not seeing any sign of retreat. Maggie smiled,

“You can choose not to like me, but you can’t stop me from liking you. This liking is the kind I mean, not the kind you described.”

Emily Luo was taken aback, then tilted her head with a smile,

“Don’t you think your liking is a bit blind?”

Maggie didn’t speak or let go. They stared at each other, and Emily Luo’s eyes slowly narrowed, her smile turning cold and her tone losing its warmth,

“Do you know me? Do you know what kind of person I am? Just saying ‘liking’? I thought that was something teenagers would do.”

“Love isn’t like buying something, where quality and price determine the deal. Feelings that have no clear origin are often the most profound.”

Maggie said this with sincerity.

“Is that so? Alright~”

There was a hint of resentment in Emily Luo’s voice,

“Then let me tell you, when I was abroad, I drank heavily, used drugs, and participated in Party and Play. Knowing this, will your feelings still be so easily expressed?”

Maggie didn’t answer immediately, but her expression remained unchanged. After a slight pause, she smiled,

“Is that all? Do you have any other reasons to scare me off?”

Emily Luo was momentarily stunned. She had expected Maggie to at least show some sign of discomfort, but it seemed she had no reaction.

The two stood their ground, and Emily Luo began to feel a bit awkward, her gaze starting to avoid Maggie’s. She freed her hand, looked down, and her expression changed.

“Dr. Luo, relax, it’s nothing. Like you said, ‘liking’ is a beautiful thing, and we can both enjoy the process, okay?”

Maggie’s voice was calm and gentle, with a soothing quality. Emily Luo was momentarily disoriented, and after a while, she nodded vaguely and hurriedly turned away from Maggie.

Maggie naturally returned to the bar, her expression unchanged, and finished her glass of juice.

When the time was right, Maggie got dressed, said goodbye to Eva, and left. Emily Luo was nowhere to be seen in the bar, and since Maggie didn’t make any effort to find her, she must have hidden away somewhere. Maggie didn’t make a deliberate effort to search. If there was anything between Emily Luo and herself, it would still be a long road ahead.

Seeing Maggie leave, Eva went to a small lounge at the back of the bar. The space wasn’t large but was well-kept, and Emily Luo liked the sofa here; it was quite comfortable.

Since the room was small, Eva didn’t smoke. She sat opposite Emily Luo, observing her with interest. Emily Luo looked different from her usual calm self, appearing somewhat unsettled. Feeling Eva’s gaze, she turned away.

“Emily?”

“Don’t say anything. It’s impossible.”

Dr. Luo suddenly said this, causing Eva to pause before laughing,

“I haven’t said anything yet.”

Emily Luo leaned back on the sofa, letting out a long sigh.

“Still… even you can tell this time is different?”

Eva looked thoughtful,

“Emily, you need to give yourself a push, and Maggie is someone who can help you and is worth making that effort for.”

Emily Luo shook her head, “I don’t think so. I don’t see a relationship with her beyond friendship.”

“Why must you tie yourself to Qiqi?”

“I feel I must, otherwise, I’d feel even more suffocated.”

Eva shook her head,

“This feeling you have has nothing to do with love. Pressure, confinement, and suffering for a goal that is unattainable and meaningless—why put yourself through that?”

“I can’t leave Qiqi…”

Emily Luo spoke lightly, her eyes showing confusion.

“Your obsession might be a burden to Qiqi.”

Eva’s words were blunt and sharp, and Emily Luo understood what she was saying. Weary, she tilted her head back and closed her eyes, not saying more.

“For us, it’s too easy to confuse friendship and love. These two emotions shouldn’t conflict.”

Emily Luo opened her eyes, looking directly at Eva,

“You know, I’ve tried, but I can’t get past it. I even find myself heading in a worse direction, so—”

“So, you’re afraid to take that step forward?”

Eva clearly understood Dr. Luo’s thoughts and her inner conflict. Emily Luo seemed to accept this, acknowledging how exhausted she was from the entanglement over the years.

“Although I have a good impression of Maggie, love requires your own feelings. It might not be Maggie, but you need to let yourself move on.”

Eva stood up,

“The most regrettable thing is missing out.”

Emily Luo nodded, “I know.”

Eva left the room, leaving Emily Luo alone, lost in thought. The scene with Maggie replayed in her mind: the eyes sparkling under the lights and the determined smile. Was there something different?

Emily Luo was also confused.

In the month or so between New Year's Day and the Spring Festival, Maggie was so busy that she barely had time for basic needs like eating and drinking, let alone pondering the luxury of love. Yafu had initiated its listing process, and the entire company was in a state of restless and fervent activity. While this didn’t directly affect Maggie, the workload had certainly increased.

Jasmine seemed to be fulfilling her earlier promise, assigning Maggie many tasks unrelated to the design department. This made Maggie’s position in the company quite delicate. On one hand, people were more respectful toward her, but on the other hand, there were more behind-the-scenes discussions.

Maggie was used to this and just smiled it off.