Chapter 393 - Game Of Love (03)
September 01, 2026
An Oceania Airbus had just landed at Metro City International Airport.
After checking out from the VIP lounge, Agent Bruce Ledesma pushed the cart full of bags, heading to the parking area.
"This way, Mr. Andreson." Bruce glanced over his shoulder to look at the man following behind him.
Bryan, wearing dark sunglasses, a casual shirt, and jeans with a brown leather jacket around his body, shook his head and lengthened his stride to catch up with Bruce.
It was his first time visiting the country, and so he is not familiar around.
"Bruce, I told you just to call me by name."
Bruce laughed awkwardly and replied, "Okay, senior."
Bryan frowned when Bruce still gave him this unnecessary address, and he just let it go and followed him quietly.
When they reached Bruce's picked-up truck, Bryan didn't wait for the guy to do all the work. He loads his luggage on the back. Once placed all their bags inside, Bruce pulled down the cover, then strode around his truck.
"Hop in!" Bruce said, tilting his head to the passenger seat after he unlocked his car through his phone. He had already turned it on when they were approaching, so the car was already cold enough inside.
Thanks to the advanced technology today, one can do many things just at the tip of a finger.
Bryan got on the truck and fastened his seatbelt. Not long after, Bruce made sure that his car was in its perfect shape, with no scratch from reckless drivers. He climbed into the driver's seat.
His car was brand new. Although he could receive a notification when another car lightly bumped into his car, he still inspected it by himself. He does not care less about the line of his work. And so, he always makes sure of his safety.
After half an hour of dealing with the congested traffic, finally, they almost reach their stop. Bryan traveled his eyes as he carefully studied the entire city.
He was curious about what made Hailee fall in love with this country. Said that Vincent and his family contributed a lot to lead this city to walk the path of modernization but an eco-friendly environment.
But the traffic is terrible. Sydney has the same problem, but often staying in Dream City made him enjoy driving around and used to the speed of his car. However, soon Dream City will open to the world, a possibility that they would have this same problem. They have to look into it.
The city must introduce electric public transportation and private usage. Gladly, Montfort Motors is building electric sports cars; they will be eco-friendly to the environment and have less air pollution.
"We're almost there, senior!"
Bryan pulled himself from falling into deep thoughts. He nodded at Bruce and looked ahead.
There is no doubt that half of his heart was left in Dream City because half of it was still owned by Hailee. His life has revolved only on Hailee and their dreams.
And so it must be the reason he can't open his heart to other people, and he is guilty of hurting Eva. He could love no one but take them for granted. Although Eva agreed to their open relationship, he missed seeing that Eva had been indeed in love with him because he didn't pay closer attention to her.
If Eva didn't have deep feelings for him, she could not let herself be used by Liam. Eva is actually a strong woman. However, she took the wrong path that ended her life with a miserable death.
Love could kill someone.
Now he believed it was true. Also, love could make someone insane as love drives them crazy.
Unfortunately, Love Has Many Faces: one of them is selfless love and selfish love.
"We've arrived, senior…" Bruce announced.
Bryan got out of the car and swept his gaze to the entire area. They were now at the private cemetery where Eva was buried, at the mausoleum owned by her ancestor.
"Let's go, senior."
Bryan followed Bruce until they reached the place. The mausoleum was closed, so they just put the flower outside.
"I heard that Eva's family is originally a servant of the Shen family," asked Bryan.
"The Clan of Lan are warriors bowed to protect the Imperial princess, who married a Shu prince. Their family has served the Xing Clan for many generations. They protected the Imperial youngest prince from escaping C Nation and sailed toward P Country. And the last Xing descendants are in the line of boss Vincent. But since the princess is expecting four kids, they are the ones who will continue the bloodline of the Imperial family. Even though they no longer live in an Imperial City, the world will know soon..." After the documentary release. Bruce added to his head.
"But Hailee is building her own kingdom," Bryan muttered.
"You are the right senior! Dream City could be the Imperial City of the princes and princesses soon!"
Bryan nods his head, concurring with Bruce's conclusion.
They didn't stay long and left the private cemetery. Bruce drove around and then made a stop at Metro City Garden to pick up the takeout he ordered for dinner.
Bryan's appearance in Metro City is confidential. Even though the people didn't know he was the boyfriend of Eva they were looking for, the media might already dig up, and the paparazzi will recognize him.
And so, instead of staying in a hotel. Bruce brought Bryan to the apartment that belonged to Vincent and Zaijan. It is also the same apartment Fraine is living in with Zaijan and Rodney.
Bryan was standing on the veranda, gazing out at the city below. The apartment was on a mountain hilltop, and so, from there, it could overlook the entire city skyline.
He lit a cigarette and blew the smoke with expertise. Later, Bruce joins him after the guy finishes setting up the dining table with the takeout they ordered.
"May I?" asked Bruce at the cigar box on the table.
Bryan nodded; he shoved his hand in his back pocket and pulled out an antique brass lighter to light Bruce's cigarette.
"Thanks, senior."
The two of them smoke silently in the next minute, and no one seems to have planned to break the silence. Bryan had finished one stick, and he lit one again.
His eyes then fixed on a particular building in the heart of the city. After they learned Vincent was Hailee's boyfriend, he also dug out all the information he could get about Vincent, and one property he owned was the Crescent Penthouse.
"Boss Hailee and boss Vincent live on the top floor," said Bruce. It was apparent to him where Bryan glued his gaze at.
Instantly, pain struck his heart with the thought that Hailee fell in love with someone she barely knew, rather than him, who she had known for almost her entire life.
But he has to accept the truth and let Hailee be happy she deserves. She is the most important person in his life, and so, nothing he wishes but for her to live well.
"Well, dinner is waiting," Bruce announced. He got up from the chair and went inside ahead.
Bryan didn't stay long in Metro City. Before midnight the next day, Bruce drove him to the airport for a first flight back to Australia, where he had a connecting flight to South Africa the following day.
His only purpose in coming to Metro City is to visit Eva's grave and completely bid goodbye to his dark past.
"Bryan!"
His plane is here, and so he has to board now. Bryan turned around and looked at Bruce with a curious gaze. It was the first time Bruce called him by name, and so it gladdens him.
He then waited for what the guy wanted to say to him.
"Do you want me to send a love letter to you? How about someone I could introduce to you?"
"Knock it off." Bruce snorted, then his face got serious. "I just wanted to say that you don't have to worry about the princess. The time she came to P Country, and I started working for her… I witnessed how boss Vincent cared for the princess, and so, I am sure he genuinely loves her."
After listening to Bruce, Bryan pursed his lips into a bitter smile. He could see how Hailee was happy being with Vincent… something that Hailee never had that kind of spark in her eyes when she was with that guy, so he had to move on with his life.
"I know."
It was the only reply Bryan could give to Bruce. After they exchange goodbyes, Bryan resumes walking and goes to the gate where his plane is waiting. , and he
*
CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, South Africa
Bryan hurls his deepest breath, then releases them. He was standing outside the airport, waiting for his pickup.
He looks around the place, but there is no sign of someone carrying a placard where it wrote his name on it.
"Hope in!"
A colored metallic brown 2021 Ford Ranger parked in front of Bryan. When he didn't move from where he stood, the woman got out from the driver's seat and walked toward him.
"Maria Keita, if you forgot me, Mr. Anderson." The girl introduces herself, stretches her hand, and offers it to Bryan.
'Jeez.. I am a busy person, so please, get in the car for christ's sake!' Maria couldn't help grumbling in her head when the guy remained to stare at her.
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