Chapter 80

Just as Eliana and Evan were looking at the mountains, someone bumped into the former - it was Megan, who’d deliberately ran into Eliana to taunt her. “Do you really hate me that much?” Megan sulked unhappily, “Why must you block my way on purpose?” “I’m sorry, I wasn’t aware that you were blind,” Eliana retorted before pulling Evan away to have some snacks under a tree. Eliana knew that she couldn’t afford to offend these insolent and obnoxious people - the next best thing that she could do was to avoid them. And so, Eliana and Evan sat together on the ground and began to eat some cake. Meanwhile, Laura had led Megan to sit down together with Aidan and Travis. “You know, Travis, it’s been a while since we’d last drank together.” Megan giggled shyly. Alas, Travis wasn’t particularly interested - as such, he simply nodded politely. “Say, Dr. Witton,” Just then, Laura cocked a brow at Travis, “You don’t happen to have a girlfriend now, do you?” Travis shook his head and replied honestly, “No, I don’t have one - why are you asking me about this?” “It’s just that...I think Megan would be a good match for you, Dr. Witton,” Laura wiggled her brows suggestively, “I was thinking that it would be great if the two of you could hit it off.” Megan gasped as she slapped Laura playfully and lightly, “Oh my, Laura, don’t be ridiculous,” she giggled, “You’ll embarrass Travis.” “I’m not,” Travis shrugged nonchalantly, “I’ve known Miss Briggs for many years - I would’ve done something a long time ago had I been interested. I wouldn’t have to wait for you to intervene, Miss Collins,” he then chuckled, “Miss Collins, aren’t you single as well? Shouldn’t you find someone to hit it off with for yourself instead?” Travis then looked in the direction of where Eliana and Evan were. Megan and Laura instantly fumed at Travis’ words - while Megan was offended that Travis did not return her interest, Laura was mad at his insinuation that she was nothing more than Aidan’s mistress. Aidan couldn’t help but frown when he realized who Travis was looking at, “Are you trying to go for someone you shouldn’t go for?” Aidan narrowed his eyes at his friend. “What are you talking about?” Travis asked. Aidan couldn’t help but sigh internally at just how oblivious his friend was. “Dr. Witton and Megan, I’m sorry...I was just speaking my mind. Please, don’t think too much about the nonsense that I’d spouted,” Laura apologized. “It’s alright, we’re all friends here,” Megan reassured her. “Come on, let’s go for a walk.” And so, Laura and Megan left together to go for a walk. Travis couldn’t help but continue to look at where Eliana and Evan were - “You know, Eliana has really changed a lot,” he mused. Aidan followed his line of vision to see Eliana with a bright smile on her face as she tenderly wiped away the cake crumbs which had gathered slightly at the corner of Evan’s mouth. Evan was looking at her as though she’d hung up the stars in the night sky just for him. “She used to be so loud, lively, and vivacious,” Travis commented, “But now...she’s quiet, demure, and compassionate....” Aidan couldn’t help but sigh as he took a sip of his wine - there was a look of longing and sadness on his face. “You still remember how she used to be like, don’t you?” Travis asked his friend, “What’s the matter? Do you feel sorry for her or something?” “I should be the one asking you that question,” Aidan grunted. “There’s no reason for me to feel sorry for her - she only has herself to blame for everything that has happened to her and the Harvey Family.” “Don’t you want to give her - and yourself - another chance?” Travis asked. Aidan scoffed, “How many more chances must I give her, Travis? She has let me down, again and again, every single time...she hates me and Laura to the core. Should I really let her go ahead and trample on Laura just like that?”