Chapter 170 A Familiar Stranger
fluttery, heart–racing warmth.
To her, Elias was more of a reliable, trustworthy friend.
But James… James was someone she might have a crush on.
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If Elias and James were two completely separate people, there was no way she’d have intense feelings for either of them.
But now that she knew Elias was James, it was like a chemical reaction set off inside her.
All those feelings she had forced down–sprang up like wild weeds.
That quiet attachment buried deep in her heart suddenly took root and grew into a towering tree.
Into something she couldn’t ignore anymore. Something she couldn’t suppress.
She liked… James.
But she was Leila. And she was also Lily.
Distance creates beauty.
Because they hadn’t met face–to–face, James had developed some feelings for Leila.
Maybe it was even love.
But what he loved more was the version of Leila he’d imagined in his mind–not her, not Lily.
He’d known Lily in real life.
And he didn’t like her.
He couldn’t stand being touched by her.
He couldn’t even bear to look at her without wincing.
Just that morning, he had warned her in a cold, hard voice to stay away from him unless absolutely
necessary.
If he found out that Leila was actually Lily, all of that affection would vanish in an instant.
They wouldn’t even be friends.
Elias was her best friend.
Her only friend.
She couldn’t bear to see the look of disgust on his face.
She couldn’t bear to lose him/
Call it cowardice or just plain fear–she simply didn’t have the courage to face James.
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Chapter 170 A Familiar Stranger
She definitely couldn’t bring herself to confess that she was Leila.
That she liked him.
That she wanted to be with him.
All she could do–was run away.
Lily fled in such a rush, so panicked, she even forgot to head to the parking lot for her car.
Capital City was always bustling.
Cars everywhere. Lights in every window.
But in this whole city, not a single light was lit for her.
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She stood on the sidewalk, surrounded by go.
a
sea of strangers, and for a moment, she had no idea where to
“Leila, where are you right now?”
Lily, eyes rimmed red, stared dazedly at the flickering neon signs when her phone chimed several times in
a row.
James had messaged her.
“If you’re having trouble getting to the café, just tell me where you are. I’ll come find you. Leila, will you please text me back? I’m really worried about you.”
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She glanced at the time on her phone. It was already 7:45.
He’d been waiting at the café for far too long.
She’d been so overwhelmed and panicked earlier, she hadn’t even thought to message him to say she wasn’t coming…
She wasn’t going to make it tonight. She couldn’t let him sit there waiting any longer.
Fingers trembling, she slowly stroked his message on the screen as if reluctant to let it go. After nearly thirty seconds, she finally began typing.
“Elias, I’m sorry. Something came up tonight and I can’t make it to the café. I’m so sorry for making you wait.”
Almost immediately, his reply popped up.
“It’s okay. If you’re not free tonight, then let’s meet tomorrow instead.”
He responded so quickly–he must’ve been staring at his phone the whole time, waiting for her reply.
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