Chapter 28
Melody returned home, to the empty house she hadn’t been back to in two years.
Her parents had passed away long ago, and her grandmother, who had raised her, had been sent to a nursing home a few years ago due to Alzheimer’s disease,
in these two years, Melody hadn’t returned once, not just because of the long journey, but also because she had no relatives to come back to visit.
Even her grandmother, with whom she had been so close, no longer recognized her.
Having not been back for two years, even though the windows and doors had been kept shut and she had asked a neighbor to help clean, the house was still very dusty.
Melody rolled up her sleeves and gave the house a thorough cleaning. She changed the sheets and duvet cover to fresh ones, and only then did she collapse onto the bed with a sigh of relief.
After an overnight long-haul flight, plus all the housework she had just done, Melody fell asleep not long after lying down.
When she opened her eyes again, the city lights were on, and dusk had settled.
She had slept right through lunch.
Melody rubbed her stomach, thinking of going downstairs to buy groceries, when her phone happened to ring.
Melody picked up her phone and couldn’t help but smile when she saw the name “Elodie Cooper” flashing on the screen.
Her personality was reserved, and she didn’t have many friends, but Elodie was the one who had stuck by her through thick and thin all these years, the one
she clicked with the most.
Even during the two years Melody was abroad, with an eight-hour time difference between them, they often video-chatted about their lives, but never
mentioned Landon.
Melody answered Elodie’s call.
Hello, Elodie…”
Before Melody could finish a sentence, Elodie’s accusatory voice came from the other end.
Melody! How could you not tell me you were coming back? It’s a huge deal! I would have picked you up from the airport!”
Last time we talked, you said it would be at least half a month, and today you were already at school! If my friend who went to the ceremony hadn’t told me, I’d
till be in the dark!”
Melody, what’s going on? You didn’t even tell me you were coming back. Are we even friends anymore?!”
Although Elodie’s words were complaining, they fell on Melody’s ears and warmed her heart.
Elodie, I’m sorry. It was a last-minute decision to come back early. I didn’t have a chance to tell you before I got the invitation to speak, and I got busy and orgot. I was planning to tell you after I got home, but I fell asleep as soon as I finished unpacking.”
Clodie wasn’t really angry. Hearing Melody’s explanation, she felt for her and all the trouble she’d gone through.
But she still pretended to huff and said, “Alright, then come out and have dinner with me now, and I’ll forgive you.”
Melody laughed. “Okay, what do you want to eat? My treat.”
Half an hour later, Melody and Elodie arrived at their favorite hot pot skewer restaurant from their college days, not far from Northwood University.
The moment Elodie saw Melody, she rushed over and gave her a huge hug.
Mel! You’re finally back! I missed you like crazy!”
The two of them walked into the restaurant arm in arm and sat down at their usual spot, just like they had two years ago, as if they had never been apart.
Two years can change a lot of things, like a person’s style and demeanor, even the way they talk.
But there are also many things that don’t change, like food preferences, or the bond between two people who care for each other.
