Chapter 14
That evening, as Evelyn clocked out of work, one of the older women in her department shoved two movie
tickets into her hand.
“New release-Love Story. Take your boyfriend to see it,” the woman said with a knowing smirk.
Evelyn hesitated, about to explain that she didn’t have a boyfriend-then she remembered Daniel had mentioned wanting to see that film a few days ago. So she kept her mouth shut.
Later, during dinner in the cafeteria, she spotted Daniel and walked over with the tickets. “I’ve got two movie tickets,” she said casually. “Didn’t you say you wanted to see this one? Want to go together?”
Daniel was mid-bite, but when he looked up and saw the title on the ticket, he nearly choked. He hurriedly
swallowed, his ears turning bright red. “I… yeah. I’m free.”
On movie night, Evelyn wore a light blue work shirt, nothing fancier than usual. But Daniel looked like he’d made an effort-freshly pressed Lillian shirt, hair combed neatly.
The theater was packed and dimly lit. Onscreen, the lead couple fell in love under the sweeping soundtrack, and Evelyn laughed quietly at all the right parts, fully immersed.
Daniel, on the other hand, sat upright the entire time, palms sweating. He kept sneaking glances at her out of the corner of his eye, wanting to say something but afraid to ruin the moment.
When the lights came back on, Evelyn stretched and smiled. “That was such a good movie,” she said.
Nothing more.
Daniel suddenly felt a little deflated. At her dorm entrance, he gave a brief “Goodnight” and left in a hurry.
Evelyn watched him walk away, puzzled by his abrupt exit.
The next day, she stopped him near the factory floor.
“Hey, Daniel,” she said. “You free tonight? I bought some ribs yesterday. Come over for dinner-just a
thank-you for helping me move.”
Daniel froze mid-step. His throat bobbed as he tried to find a way to decline, but the word that came out was,
“…Sure.”
Evelyn was a great cook.
The braised ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender, the sauce rich and glossy, and the rice perfectly steamed. The
smell alone could make someone weak in the knees.
Daniel had two full bowls before slowing down.
Evelyn couldn’t help but laugh at how earnestly he was eating. “Take it easy. There’s more in the pot.”
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“This is way better than anything from the cafeteria,” he mumbled, then looked up-only to meet her amused eyes. He quickly looked away, but the smile on his face was impossible to hide.
“What was up with you yesterday?” she asked after a pause. “Didn’t like the movie?”
Daniel scratched his neck, embarrassed but sticking to his rule of not offending someone who fed you well. “No, no… it’s just-uh, I had to get back early to check on some machines.”
He did work overtime often, so Evelyn didn’t doubt him.
As she watched his side profile under the warm light of the dorm room, a quiet warmth spread in her chest.
For the first time in a long while, this life-this second chance-was starting to feel real.
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