Chapter 1983
The silence in the car was almost tangible, a heavy blanket wrapping around Shirley and Abner, each lost in their own thoughts.
Shirley was the first to break the silence, her voice carrying a reassuring warmth, "Hey, Abner, don't sweat over those harsh words. Once we get to Greenfield, I'll get in touch with the school for you. Just focus on your studies, okay? Everything else, leave to me. The money I'm offering is from my own pocket, no one has the right to judge."
Abner felt a wave of warmth wash over him, his voice catching slightly as he managed a choked, "Yeah."
Seeing his reaction, Shirley's heart ached for him. After all, he was just a sixteen-year-old boy, orphaned and left to fend for himself, constantly at the mercy of his unreasonable aunt. She wondered how much he had endured over the years.
"I won't send you back, don't worry about that," she promised, her focus returning to the road ahead.
Abner's anxious heart finally settled, his gaze stealing glances at her profile.
She was as beautiful as ever, her demeanor gentle and calming, reminding him of their first meeting where she stood out among her peers, a beacon of hope.
Her willingness to sponsor his education filled him with gratitude, yet he was also acutely aware of his lack of a bank account or any means to receive her financial support directly. But perhaps the prospect of the financial aid would convince his aunt to let him continue his education.
Driven by desperation, he had written to Shirley, using the address she left during a charity event in his village, and sent the letter with the little money he had, waiting anxiously for a reply that never came. He convinced himself she must have been too busy or perhaps never received his letters. Yet, he wrote again, clinging to a sliver of hope that she might come to his rescue.
So, when Shirley appeared in his village, it felt like a dream, a beautiful dream where she remained as radiant as the day he first met her.
Arriving in Greenfield, Abner felt out
of place among the towering buildings that seemed to scream he didn't belong. He followed Shirley lugging his suitcase behind him into a high-end apartment complex with striet security and direct elevator access.
Noticing his curious glances, Shirley explained how the elevator worked with a smile, making him feel slightly more at ease.
Once inside her apartment, she assured him, "Leave your things here. I've got a spare key for you, and remember to carry it whenever you go out, or you won't be able to get back in."
Shirley decided against prying into his belongings, considering his age and privacy. She was exhausted and suggested ordering takeout for dinner, planning to take him shopping the next day since it was Saturday.
Observing Abner's ill-fitting clothes and bare ankles, she reassured him, "Don't be shy around me. Consider me your guardian here. If you need anything, just let me know. And don't worry about the money. Once you graduate and start earning, you can pay me back gradually."
Abner's smile, his first since their reunion, lit up his face, "Okay."
Shirley noticed how handsome he was becoming, a sharpness to his features that reminded her of a TV show's lead she once adored.
After making arrangements for his schooling with Mr. James, a contact of hers, she felt a weight lift off her shoulders, hopeful for Abner's future.This is from NôvelDrama.Org.
The night ended with Shirley
changing into her pajamas, causing a flustered Abner to quickly avert his gaze, his focus returning to his.
books as he continued to settle.ne
now with a glimmer of a new beginning in Greenfield.