"It's late now. You should go back." I glanced at the time and saw that it was 3 a.m.
"I'll accompany you. The truth or dare game says we will spend a night by ourselves."
Estelle stubbornly shook her head.
I smiled, saying, "It's okay. Go up."
She didn't say anything. She shook her head harder with a hint of indescribable struggle in her eyes.
I knew she was using this way to prove her determination to get rid of the good girl label.
"I'm fine. Go back now. You have to work tomorrow."
I advised her again, but a touch of pity welled up in my heart.
"I...I don't want to go home tonight..."
I asked tentatively with a faint guess in my heart, "What's wrong? Is it something at home..."
"They don't understand me. They don't care about my feelings..."
I knew what she needed now was not comfort, but someone she could confide in.
"I'll accompany you."
I whispered and took out a blanket from the trunk, gently covering her with it.
Estelle was stunned for a moment. Then she gratefully glanced at me.
We sat quietly in the car all night.
No one said anything.
What I didn't know was that Lucy called me after I fell asleep.
Estelle answered the call quickly.
"Hello, Lucy. Henry is sleeping soundly."
The next day, Lucy came to me.
"Henry!"
Lucy's voice came from outside the door. There was a hint of panic and hoarseness in her voice.
I opened the door. She was standing there with swollen eyes and smudged makeup. Her usual delicacy and elegance were gone.
...
She asked directly, "Why was it Estelle who answered the call last night? Were you together last night?"
There was suppressed anger and a barely noticeable panic in her tone.
I didn't say anything. I looked at her indifferently.
"You won't be with her, right?"
"Am I right?"
