When Eris looked into Brian's deep eyes, she froze into a stiffened mass.
"Brian..." Brian looked away and flung the remote control onto the sofa.
Eris felt relieved, and her tight body relaxed slightly.
"Would you like some more water?"
"No, thank you."
Brian nodded and went to put the glass in the kitchen sink.
Eris felt terribly restless when she saw the overly calm expression on Brian's face.
"Brian..."
Eris was about to say something, but was interrupted when the doorbell rang.
"It should be the takeout food.You sit here and I'll open the door," said Brian.
Eris gave in, bit her lip and nodded weakly.
"I'm washing my hands."
"Okay."
In the bathroom, after washing her hands, Eris looked up.She was horrified at the image in the mirror
that stared back at her.
Shock and alarm overwhelmed her.
After packing up at the apartment, she had changed into a brown high-necked tight sweater, a calf-
length skirt, and a pure white wool overcoat.Her clothes were perfectly elegant.
But the problem was that her delicate makeup was now a terrible mess after she had cried all
afternoon.
Her eyes were swollen, punctuated with dark circles.Her face was pale and her eyes were teary.Her
face betrayed signs of haunting stress.
Obviously, something really awful must have happened to her to reduce her to such a pathetic state.
But since she met Brian, he hadn't questioned her at all.
Eris got visibly nervous.
This was not Brian's style.
In the past, he could read her like a book, but now he seemed so indifferent.
With uneasiness, she wiped her hands and stepped out of the bathroom, treading on eggshells.
In the restaurant, the simple dining table for six was filled with an array of dishes.
They were all her favorite dishes, ready to satisfy her eager palate.
Brian delicately pulled out the cork from a fine bottle of wine and placed it in the decanter.
Then he took out two glasses and poured the wine into them.
Brian performing such a magnificent act delighted her.She felt relieved and more relaxed.
The thought that Brian had ordered her favorite dishes and opened a special bottle of red wine for her,
warmed her heart.She figured that this was his way of trying to comfort her in her hour of need.
It all made sense now.
She had told him earlier on the phone that she had been banished from the film industry.
Now that Brian didn't talk about it, it meant that he didn't want to upset her. Thinking of this, Eris wore
an elated look.
"Brian..."
"Come and indulge yourself in your favorite meal."
"With pleasure!"
Brian pulled out the chair for her like a true gentleman.
Eris reveled in his service and sat down to be pampered some more. After sitting down, she found that
he had dimmed all the lights in the dining room to a soft orange which created a warm and romantic
ambience.
She felt warm and safe within her, in spite of what had happened.
Brian pushed the glass in front of Eris, inviting her to savor the fruity taste of the expensive red wine.
Eris shyly took the glass and said, "Brian, why did you order such a variety of dishes? How will just the
two of us manage to eat all of it?"
"Just eat as much as you can.Don't force yourself."
"I'm just afraid that wasting food is sinful."
Brian just smiled and remained silent.He also sat on the dining chair and raised his glass.
"Eris, I would like to propose a toast in your honor.Thank you for accompanying me on such a great
journey for the past four years." Eris was a little confused, but she still clinked glasses with him.
"Brian, what do you mean? Our companionship has been a mutual joy.My being with you for the past
four years has been the happiest years of my life.I wouldn't trade it for anything.You complete me."
The two of them smiled and took a sip of wine.
"Let's eat before the food gets cold.”
"Good idea!"
During the meal, Brian was very gentle with Eris, attending to her every whim.
He not only refilled her wine glass each time it was empty, but he also lovingly dished out food for her,
and removed the ingredients that she didn't like.
Eris' nose twitched and she sniffed.
‘Being banished is not the end of the world! Even my parents’ imprisonment is no big deal! As long as
Brian still supports me, I'm sure he will help me make a comeback into the film industry! I have nothing
to fear" The meal dragged on for two hours.
They reminisced over everything that had happened in the past four years since they were together.
Unknowingly, they had consumed a whole bottle of wine.
Fortunately, both of them were seasoned drinkers and were only a tad drunk.
After their meal, Eris started cleaning the table virtuously.
"Don't clean it up."
"Why?"
Brian pulled her out of the dining room and said, "The servant will clean it up tomorrow.Come to the
living room with me.I want to talk to you about something serious."
Eris thought that Brian understood her predicament after being banished and was worried about her
mental state so didn't want to burden her with extra work.
With red, moist eyes, she obediently followed Brian to the living room.
They relaxed on the sofa in the living room for a while.
Brian then ground coffee beans for Eris and made her a cup of strong, steaming coffee.
"Your favorite Blue Mountain coffee."
"Thank you!"
At that moment, Eris felt extremely happy and grateful.She hadn't enjoyed Brian's meticulous care and
undivided attention for a long time.
It really felt good to be the center of his affection once again.
Brian sat down on the sofa with a smile, but he didn't sit next to Eris.
Instead, he sat opposite her so that he could face her.
Eris didn't find anything unusual about that.She took a sip of coffee and took out her phone to check
the time.
It was already ten o'clock in the evening.
Eris yawned, half sleepy.She had been through ups and downs the entire day.
Hurriedly, she had packed and moved house.
After a series of tiring events, she was already exhausted physically and mentally.
"Brian...I'm really sleepy."
Eris covered her mouth and yawned again.She put down the coffee and was about to stand up.
"Let's go early to bed." Brian suddenly grabbed her wrist.
"We can't sleep now.There's something that I want to talk to you about."
"What?"
Eris paused and sank back into the sofa.She looked at Brian in confusion and said, "It's already ten
o'clock.Can't this wait till tomorrow?"
"No! I have something to tell you!"
"Okay!" Eris rubbed her eyes.
"Go ahead.I'm listening."
"Eris, how long have we been together?"
"It's been 1,502 days!"
Brian stared at her, stunned.
Eris smiled and said, "Every day we are together is so important to me, so from the first day we
became a couple, I have been counting the days.It has been more than four years of unparalleled joy."
Brian sighed, "More than four years, more than 1, 500 days.How fast time flies!"
"Yes! It sure does!"
Eris narrowed her eyes and seemed to lapse into the past.
She held her face with both hands and looked truly blissful.
"Sometimes when I recall the old days, it feels like we only met yesterday, yet four fruitful years have
elapsed.Now, I just hope that time can pass by slowly, as slowly as a tortoise.I want to remember the
next four years, and the following four years in my mind with the same satisfaction.When we grow old
together, we can sit in our rocking chairs and talk about the past with fondness." The smile on Brian's
face faded away.
Eris didn't notice it as she was still immersed in her beautiful fantasy. Seeing this, Brian took a deep
breath and gritted his teeth.
Finally, he found the courage to speak out what he wanted to.
"Eris, Let's break up!" Eris’ fantasy was shattered in an instant.
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