âIâm managing,â Marlowe replied after a moment of silence.
âFinding a job has been tough, so Iâve turned to selling wine.
I never imagined Iâd end up in a situation like this.
â
Mitchel fell silent.
After a brief pause, he turned to Marlowe and said slowly, âA bar is a gathering place for all sorts, both good and bad.
You have to stay alert there.
â
âOkay,â Marlowe replied, feeling slightly like crying.
For the next few minutes, Mitchel continued giving her advice, his tone warm and full of concern.
Marlowe nodded, though Mitchel wondered if she was really listening or just nodding to be polite.
âWhy didnât you come to me if you were struggling? I have given you my contact details.
â Mitchel shifted the topic, pausing before adding, âAnd I still have that check.
â
Marlowe automatically nodded before realizing what he had said.
She looked up, slightly panicked, and found Mitchel looking at her calmly.
âs
Mitchel, not angry with her reaction, repeated his words thoughtfully.
âI donât want to.
â Marlowe shrugged in response.
âI didnât help you expecting anything back.
If it bothers you, just consider it a good deed Iâve done.
â
She refused his offer without a second thought.
Mitchel gazed at her before he let out a sigh and asked, âSo, where do you live now? I can give you a ride home.
â
The question prompted Marlowe to think of her cramped, deteriorating apartment tucked away underground.
âNo, thanks.
Iâll manage on my own,â she responded, her tone sharper than before.
It was the second time she had declined his offer.
The underlying truth was that she dreaded the idea of Mitchel seeing how she lived; she feared it might diminish his opinion of her.
Mitchel didnât press further, pressing his lips together in quiet resignation.
He handed her the bag he had been carrying for her.
âThank youâ, Marlowe murmured, deliberately avoiding his eyes.
âJust be careful on your way back,â Mitchel said.
âAnd remember, you can always call me if you need anything.
â He hesitated before adding, âYou should really think about leaving that bar job.
I can help you find something more stable.
â
Marlowe was keenly aware that, job or no job, after the nightâs events, her boss would Likely fire her anyway.
Mitchel called a cab for her.
The car stopped, and he held the door open.
Marlowe quickly slid inside.
âOh, your coat,â Marlowe said, suddenly aware that she was still draped in it.
She began to shrug it off, but Mitchell gently stopped her.
âKeep it,â Mitchel suggested casually.
He then shut the door with a swift motion, whirled around, and strode away.
Just as the driver was about to start the car, Marlowe, from the backseat, suddenly called out to stop him.
He glanced at her reflection in the rearview mirror, noting how she leaned forward, her gaze locked on Mitchelâs retreating silhouette.
The driver believed Marlowe and Mitchel were a couple in love.