Chapter 6 – Chester (Part 5)

Since starting her relationship with Bryant, Evelyn Dale had been lamenting her arrogance and foolishness almost daily. How could she ignore the simple truth that stepping into a swamp would lead to sinking? How could she be so confident that she would be okay, that she would escape unscathed? It was indeed arrogance and foolishness, with no other explanation.

‘I don’t even know how long our relationship will last at this point.’

How could she know something he himself didn’t know? 

Couldn’t it be as soon as tomorrow? 

When she thought of that, Evelyn felt utterly lost, like she was standing alone in the middle of an empty road.

When that time comes, she would of course accept it gracefully. She might even offer a ridiculously polite thank you for the good memories. She would surely smile even if she had to force it, but she couldn’t be sure what would happen after he left and she was alone.

The mere thought of it made her feel as if her heart would crumble.

“By any chance.”

After a long pause, Bryant spoke. Evelyn, who had been looking down at the path, lifted her eyes.

“Would you consider staying here?”

She couldn’t immediately grasp what he meant. Only after pondering it again did her chest feel cold. Then a fearful realization swept over her. 

Already?

She forced herself to calmly look up at the man. He was still walking slowly, looking straight ahead.

“……What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said. How about staying here for a while and writing?”

Bryant replied in a monotonous tone and turned his head. The moment their eyes met, Evelyn stopped in her tracks. Her heart pounded wildly. A sudden surge of confusion and sadness overwhelmed her.

“Is that what you want?”

Only after speaking did she realize she had revealed too much emotion. Bryant was looking at her with serious eyes. His face was so rational, not smiling or frowning, that Evelyn, feeling a sudden urge to cry, sharply asked again.

“Do you want me to stay here?”

“I asked for your thoughts.”

“No.”

She answered before he could finish speaking. Then, looking directly at the man who was gazing down at her, she answered again.

“I don’t want to.”

It was an answer as clear as it could be.

Bryant remained silent, looking at her for a moment. He alternately looked into her eyes, trying to read something. Evelyn hid the sharp edge of her emotions under her reason again.

“Alright.”

The man answered a beat later, nodding. It was as if to say, “If that’s what you want.” To Evelyn, it felt like a rather hollow response. After making her heart skip a beat. So she wanted to question him a bit.

“Why did you ask that?”

“You seemed to like this place quite a bit.”

He answered as if he had been waiting for her question and gave her a slight smile. 

Was he pleased with my answer that I wouldn’t stay here? Or did he mean he wouldn’t mind if I liked it enough to live here? 

Evelyn was confused.

“Let’s head back. We’ve come too far.”

Bryant turned in the direction they had come from. He took out his pocket watch to check the time. “We have 20 minutes left,” he informed her kindly, then started walking ahead as if urging her to hurry. The crunch of leaves underfoot made a rustling sound.

The two of them walked back the way they had come in silence. They walked side by side, each lost in their own thoughts. Evelyn was mulling over their recent conversation. But no matter how much she pondered, she couldn’t decipher his true intentions.

Bryant spoke again when they had passed through the iron gate and returned to the auditorium.

“Shall we take a look inside?”

He pointed to the large, firmly closed entrance door. Since the manager had said it would be open, it probably wasn’t locked. Evelyn nodded without much thought.

“Yes.”

After climbing three or four stone steps, he grasped the door handle. With a firm pull, the heavy door opened. Following etiquette, Evelyn entered first. Inside, there was a slight smell of metal and dust.

The interior was dim and very spacious.

She walked slowly, lifting her chin. The ceiling, with its exposed framework, was so high that her footsteps echoed like a reverberation. Tap-tap-tap. Because of that sound, Evelyn was careful not to step too firmly.

In contrast, the man’s footsteps were unrestrained. The sound of shoes hitting the stone tiles resounded throughout the space. Evelyn stood in place until the footsteps, which had started at the entrance, came close. Soon the footsteps stopped, and after the echoes completely faded, the interior returned to silence.

A familiar scent wafted from the man standing on her left.

Breathing it in, Evelyn scanned her surroundings with her eyes. Every tall window had thick, dark blue curtains. Only one sunny window had its curtain drawn back, likely done on purpose for the guests. Thanks to that, there was enough light without turning on any lamps.

“It’s quite large.”

Bryant spoke. His voice lacked any particular emotion.

“There’s a stage too.”

Evelyn replied. It was something she said just to say something.

After that sparse conversation, silence flowed again. The auditorium was as quiet as a mouse. It seemed like even the sound of a ghost walking could be heard. In that perfect silence, the two stood side by side. They each stared silently at their respective points.

After a long time, it was the man who spoke again.

“Shall we leave? I think we’ve seen enough.”

“Yes.”

Evelyn answered promptly, turning her body. After all, there was nothing to see in the empty auditorium. She didn’t particularly want to focus on anything. Her mind was too full of other thoughts to have the leisure.

She walked toward the entrance with a tap-tap-tap sound. Behind her, she heard the sound of footsteps following. In the quiet space, the sound of their footsteps mingled.

Evelyn stopped in front of the entrance. The man who had followed her grabbed her wrist without warning. And very easily, he pushed her against the wall next to the door frame. In an instant, their bodies were pressed close, and Evelyn inhaled a startled breath as she looked up. She met the eyes of the man looking down at her closely. The echo of their footsteps hadn’t completely faded.

He slowly lowered his head, whispering as if explaining.

“There’s no one here.”

And before she could respond, he covered her lips with his.

Evelyn instinctively closed her eyes. Then the other senses became more vivid. Touch. Sound. Smell. They all rushed in at once, shaking her mind. Her chest felt like it would burst.

As she breathed in small gasps, she groped for the man’s waist. She touched the smooth surface of his frock coat. It was then that Bryant took hold of her hand. Without hesitation, he guided the woman’s hand to his lower body. Surprised, Evelyn tried to pull her hand away, but the firm grip was unyielding.

Their lips parted slightly. Evelyn opened her eyes wide and looked at him. Bryant’s face was a mix of urgency, seriousness, and a hint of playfulness. And his slightly parted lips. His reddish, moist lips were beautiful.

He whispered as he moved his lips.

“What should we do?”

He pressed the woman’s hand against his lower body. Evelyn tried a futile resistance again. 

What should I do? 

She grumbled inside.

“I want to.”

His low voice was a bit rough. His large hand cupped the woman’s face. His fingers rubbed her cheek with force.

“Right now.”

He looked directly at the woman who didn’t know what to do. Then he lowered his lips again and kissed her deeply. After thoroughly stirring her, he pulled back slightly. 

Tell me, tell me it’s okay. 

He whispered earnestly before kissing her again. It was a sweet and desperate temptation.

Evelyn almost felt her resolve waver. But it was something she couldn’t allow. 

What on earth was he suggesting they do here? She couldn’t even imagine.

“No.”

She barely managed to turn her head. The man stopped abruptly, rejected. Evelyn couldn’t look at his face. She kept her gaze lowered, waiting for him to step back.

The man maintained that position for a moment, as if exerting self-control, then released the hand he had been holding. He let out a light sigh. He seemed somewhat dejected. He also appeared to be slightly upset. Either way, it was uncomfortable for Evelyn. She didn’t want him to be disappointed because of her, even if it wasn’t her fault.

So she quietly reached out and touched the man’s face. When their eyes met, she pulled him towards her with her hands. Even so, the height difference was significant, so she had to stand on tiptoe. Using both hands to hold his face, she barely managed to kiss him. It wasn’t a long or deep kiss.

Bryant didn’t move at all. Evelyn kissed him with her own effort. Then she stood up straight again and cautiously looked up at him. She felt self-conscious, like a student waiting for evaluation.

He looked down at her silently, then let out a small chuckle. It might have sounded like a sneer, but Evelyn knew his intention. She could tell by the look in his eyes. A look that said she was cute and lovely. A face that seemed willing to accept anything. So she was relieved. Not yet. Not yet.

Bryant reached out his arms. Evelyn willingly leaned into his embrace. She liked the gentle pressure of his arms wrapping around her. The warmth and scent she had become accustomed to. The feel of his lips on her neck when he hugged her tightly.

“What should I do?”

He whispered like a sigh. Evelyn listened with her eyes closed.

“I don’t want to let you go.”

A pleasant voice. And the sound of breathing. The sound of him deeply inhaling against her body.

“I like you so much.”

He said. Evelyn exhaled a trembling breath. Moisture gathered inside her closed eyelids. Relief. Or perhaps sadness. Emotions of unknown identity lost control and surged. So she kept her mouth shut even more.

If she spoke, her heart would grow larger. The larger it grew, the deeper the sorrow would be when it broke. So Evelyn chose silence. She quietly whispered inside her mouth so it wouldn’t be heard. 

I like you too. I like you so much.

With her eyes still closed, she opened them within his embrace. The auditorium was silent again. Sunlight slanted through the window. Evelyn watched the dust slowly floating in it with calm eyes.