Chapter 584
Chapter 584:
Familiar sights flickered by as Fernanda stared out the window, lost in the passing scenery. “Pull over at the next corner,” she instructed.
The car came to a halt, and there, at the end of the street, was the alley she had walked countless times. They made their way down its narrow path and stopped in front of a small courtyard gate.
A gentle smile played on Fernanda’s lips. “I never imagined you’d bring me back to Zhota. And I didn’t even bring the key with me.”
Cristian’s gaze drifted to the wall. “Would you like to go inside?”
“Yes,” Fernanda said, her voice soft but resolute. “I want to show you where I once lived.”
It was her way of letting him into a part of her life that had remained hidden.
Cristian’s heart warmed at her words; a quiet smile tugged at his lips. Her ability to touch him so effortlessly never ceased to amaze him. “It’s easy if you want to get inside,” he said with a grin. “Let me show you how.”
He took a few steps back, then sprinted forward. In one fluid motion, he grabbed the top of the wall and pulled himself up, landing gracefully on top.
Fernanda raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on her lips. “Did they teach you how to scale walls in military school?”
A faint, confident smile curved Cristian’s lips as he extended his hand toward her. “Come on.”
Just as Fernanda reached out, ready to leap, a voice called from the neighboring house: “Thief! Help! Someone grab him before he gets away!”
Fernanda found herself back on terra firma. Cristian glanced toward the newcomer and started to explain, “I am not…”
“Hey, how dare you try to intrude on someone else’s place in broad daylight?” the woman yelled. She grabbed something and lobbed it at Cristian, who caught it in midair.
Seeing this, Fernanda hoisted herself onto the wall.
Your favorite updates gⱯlnσνℯls․com
“Doris, it’s me,” she called out with a grin. “Forgot my keys again. And this is my boyfriend.”
“Oh, Fernanda!” Doris Benton exclaimed, surprise coloring her voice. “You scared the daylights out of me! Get down from there—it’s way too high. What if you took a tumble? Come on, I’ll grab a ladder!”
Doris’s shouts quickly brought her whole family to the scene. Perched on the wall, Fernanda felt like one of a pair of mischievous monkeys—well, only one monkey really, since Cristian had already leapt into the yard. He looked up at Fernanda with a wide smile and open arms. “Jump; I’ll catch you.”
Fernanda took the plunge, and sure enough, Cristian caught her with ease. Doris had scrambled up the ladder but relaxed at the sight of them.
“What are you kids up to? Trying to break your necks? No more jumping around, you hear? You guys haven’t eaten yet, right? Come on over for dinner. I’ve just whipped up some dishes, Fernanda; some of them are your favorites. Bring your boyfriend along.”
.
.
.