Ten Years Later, Still Falling - Chapter 3: Chapter 3
You are reading Ten Years Later, Still Falling, Chapter 3: Chapter 3. Read more chapters of Ten Years Later, Still Falling.
The sour stench of alcohol hit me as Liam leaned in, making me recoil with a grimace. Drunk people weren't worth reasoning with—I had more sense than to stick around and risk my safety.
Just as I turned to leave, a familiar figure stepped into view.
"Mr. Murray, you've had quite a bit tonight. You really shouldn't drive." Edward's voice was smooth, his polite smile unwavering, but there was an edge of authority beneath it. "I'll arrange for two drivers. Miss White, since we're heading the same way, I'll take you home."
His gaze shifted to me, still perfectly courteous. "If that's all right with you?"
The moment he stepped closer, my muscles tensed. His cologne—richer, more defined than I remembered from high school—was impossible to ignore.
Being caught in this mess by him was embarrassing enough. Now, standing this close, my skin prickled with discomfort.
But pride wouldn't do me any favors here. Forcing a polite smile, I nodded. "That's very kind of you, Mr. Scott. I appreciate it."
Liam's drunken act dissolved the second Edward appeared. His expression flipped like a switch, replaced by an obsequious grin.
"Of course, Mr. Scott. You're absolutely right."
He ducked his head like a scolded puppy, the picture of deference—as if he hadn't been making a scene moments ago.
Before leaving, he shot me a loaded look. "Yuna, text me when you get home."
Biting back disgust, I gave a tight nod. "Sure."
Once in the car, Edward and I sat in stiff silence. After confirming my address, the quiet between us grew heavier.
In the confined space, no amount of careful distance could ease the tension. I turned toward the window, pretending to watch the blur of streetlights, but my mind wandered back.
I'd met Edward in high school.
Unlike the loud, attention-seeking boys, he was quiet—almost invisible.
But with his sharp features and top-tier grades, he still drew plenty of stares from the girls in our class.
Back then, I hadn't cared. I was too busy drowning in my own academic struggles to notice him.
Then came the seat reshuffle. On a whim, I sprinted to our homeroom teacher and begged to sit next to Edward.
Just like that, I became his deskmate for three years.
Turns out, he wasn't the introvert I'd assumed. If anything, he had a dry wit and a sharp tongue—when he bothered to use it.
But between school and the part-time jobs he juggled to support his family, he barely had time for friends.
So when I bulldozed into his life, I became his only one.
We studied together. Ate together. Eventually, we told each other everything.
Just as I turned to leave, a familiar figure stepped into view.
"Mr. Murray, you've had quite a bit tonight. You really shouldn't drive." Edward's voice was smooth, his polite smile unwavering, but there was an edge of authority beneath it. "I'll arrange for two drivers. Miss White, since we're heading the same way, I'll take you home."
His gaze shifted to me, still perfectly courteous. "If that's all right with you?"
The moment he stepped closer, my muscles tensed. His cologne—richer, more defined than I remembered from high school—was impossible to ignore.
Being caught in this mess by him was embarrassing enough. Now, standing this close, my skin prickled with discomfort.
But pride wouldn't do me any favors here. Forcing a polite smile, I nodded. "That's very kind of you, Mr. Scott. I appreciate it."
Liam's drunken act dissolved the second Edward appeared. His expression flipped like a switch, replaced by an obsequious grin.
"Of course, Mr. Scott. You're absolutely right."
He ducked his head like a scolded puppy, the picture of deference—as if he hadn't been making a scene moments ago.
Before leaving, he shot me a loaded look. "Yuna, text me when you get home."
Biting back disgust, I gave a tight nod. "Sure."
Once in the car, Edward and I sat in stiff silence. After confirming my address, the quiet between us grew heavier.
In the confined space, no amount of careful distance could ease the tension. I turned toward the window, pretending to watch the blur of streetlights, but my mind wandered back.
I'd met Edward in high school.
Unlike the loud, attention-seeking boys, he was quiet—almost invisible.
But with his sharp features and top-tier grades, he still drew plenty of stares from the girls in our class.
Back then, I hadn't cared. I was too busy drowning in my own academic struggles to notice him.
Then came the seat reshuffle. On a whim, I sprinted to our homeroom teacher and begged to sit next to Edward.
Just like that, I became his deskmate for three years.
Turns out, he wasn't the introvert I'd assumed. If anything, he had a dry wit and a sharp tongue—when he bothered to use it.
But between school and the part-time jobs he juggled to support his family, he barely had time for friends.
So when I bulldozed into his life, I became his only one.
We studied together. Ate together. Eventually, we told each other everything.
End of Ten Years Later, Still Falling Chapter 3. Continue reading Chapter 4 or return to Ten Years Later, Still Falling book page.