He didn’t know what Frank was thinking about, but it seemed that his thoughts had engrossed him entirely.
Slightly annoyed, Yannick reached out and waved his hand in front of Frank’s eyes: "Frank, snap out of it. What are you thinking about?"
That’s when Frank Parker finally came back to earth.
His gaze was still somewhat vacant, filled with confusion, and then he turned to look at Rebecca Kelloway.
The memories of that year when he was ten, most of it was not clear to him anymore.
But one thing that was imprinted deeply in his olfactory memory was that sweet scent. Even after all these years, he still remembered it.
He couldn’t recall which perfume Rebecca used that night.
But over the many years since, Rebecca had never used that perfume again.
He once asked her about it, and she casually commented that she no longer liked that scent and, also, that perfume had been discontinued.
But, on that day, he smelled the same perfume on Joanna Lawrence.
If it was discontinued, how could Joanna have the same perfume?
Many questions filled his mind.
Perhaps, he thought, he should ask Joanna about it.
He wasn’t sure if it was due to the familiar sensation that Joanna gave him, but he found that he did not dislike her as much as he had before.
However, he still didn’t like her.
Frank shifted his gaze away from Rebecca and stood up. "I am going to the restroom; you guys chat," he said.
Having spoken, he walked out of the private room.
Yannick watched as Frank left the private room. He thought for a moment, then stood up and cheerfully said to Rebecca: "Rebecca, I also need to use the restroom. Order whatever you want to eat or drink. Ashton is treating us tonight."
"Oh, by the way, a few new gentlemen have joined the club recently. They have a good figure and look very handsome. Want me to set you up with them?"
This remark earned him a glare from Rebecca Kelloway, and a pillow thrown at him: "Yannick Luther, do you want to die?"
Yannick touched his nose, looking innocent: "Okay, okay. If you don’t want it, fine."
Once outside the private room...
Instead of heading for the restroom, Frank Parker leaned against the hallway’s wall. His hands were in his pockets, and he squinted at the bright light above him.
The light was blinding, forcing him to shut his eyes. After a while, he slowly opened them again.
The door to the private room was pushed open again.
When Yannick left the private room and saw Frank waiting outside, he was somewhat startled. But he promptly closed the room door, smirking.
"Why, aren’t you going to the restroom?"
Frank glanced at him and replied faintly: "It’s stuffy inside, just stepping out for some air."
Yannick likewise put one hand in his trouser pocket. After standing silently beside Frank for a while, he asked, "Did Rebecca say anything to you?"
Frank pressed his lips together: "Nothing."
"Is it something about Ashton?" Even if Frank didn’t say anything, Yannick could guess. "What is she thinking? Why can’t she let go? Ashton is married now. You’ve seen how much he cares about his wife. If this continues, Frank, we’ll all become strangers in the end."
Yannick, who usually had a lackadaisical attitude, was now serious beyond words. "I can understand if Rebecca doesn’t like Joanna. But what about you? What’s your reason?"
"Joanna has never offended you in the past, has she? Why do you dislike her so much?"