Chapter 178 One Step at a Time

Being locked up in a research base day after day, with no freedom, was never what Tilda wanted.

“Alright, I’ll drive you out. I’ll pick you up again tomorrow, right on time.”

“Thank you!” Tilda replied cheerfully and cooperatively, letting them blindfold her.

River drove for about an hour. When they reached the city, Tilda stepped out of the car, suitcase trailing behind her. They had stopped right in front of a five-star hotel.

“I’m good on my own from here,” she said.

River nodded silently and left.

Tilda went inside, checked in, and paid for a whole month in advance. After she unpacked, her phone buzzed with a message from Andy.

“So? Was that guy the one you wanted to see?”

“Yes, Andy.”

Tilda told him everything that had happened.

“Tilda, congrats! I can imagine how thrilled you are. Haha!” Andy replied.

“Seriously, if you hadn’t helped me, I’d still have no idea I actually have a senior. My mentor would still be out there somewhere in the world. Thank you so much, Andy.”

“Alright, Tilda, enough with the thanks, or I’ll get mad! But you’re so pretty, and I love you, so I can’t stay mad at you. Waaa! You’re such a witch,” Andy joked.

Tilda smiled, feeling more at ease than she had in days. After finishing the chat with Andy, she noticed it was already dark outside. She texted Una to check in and decided to go out for dinner.

Hetsa was renowned for its spicy food. Tilda found the highest-rated Cajun restaurant nearby and ordered a Cajun boil. She snapped a few photos and sent them to Andy and Una.

Hmm, might as well send them to Jude, too.

After all, Jude had done her a great favor by helping her find herself again. Deep down, Tilda didn’t feel as uneasy about Jude getting close to her anymore.

In fact, even if they never made any kind of formal agreement, she wouldn’t mind if things kept moving forward between them. It was a surprising change in the way she thought – but Tilda didn’t see it as a bad thing.

Andy and Una hadn’t replied yet, but Jude texted back instantly.

Jude asked, “Did you go to Hetsa?”

Tilda replied, “Yeah, I came to meet someone really important. I found my senior today.”

She told Jude what happened.

Jude teased, “Should I tell you I’m jealous? Smiley face emoji.”

Tilda chided playfully, “Jude, don’t be ridiculous! He’s my senior.”

Jude pressed, “A guy, huh? Smiley face emoji.”

Tilda had no words.

Jude wrote, “I’ll do my best not to be jealous.”

After that, Jude sent a few pictures to Tilda. She clicked them open. She saw plenty of foreigners; they were some kind of celebration.

Tilda praised, “Nice pictures.”

Jude explained, “That night, after you found yourself again, I did a lot of thinking. Maybe it’s time for me to change how I live, too.”

Then he added, “For you.”

Tilda answered awkwardly, “Ahem, alright, my food just arrived. I’m going to eat!”

On Jude’s side, he saw Tilda dodge the conversation again. He felt a little disappointed, his eyes dimming for a moment.

“Looks like I have to be patient with her. Winning Tilda’s heart would take time.”

Even so, Jude couldn’t help but smile. At least their relationship was much better than it was before. For Tilda, he had even gone to Alfie and Maurice for advice on how to make a girl feel at ease.

Their jaw fell on the ground. Nobody could believe Jude would ever ask their advice about that.

Life was full of surprises. Anything could happen. The longer you live, the weirder stuff you see.

Alfie and Maurice, speaking from experience, warned Jude.

“Tilda is not a girl you can control. She’s got her own mind, and she’s incredibly talented. If you try to win her heart by rushing things or trying to keep her on a tight leash, it’ll just backfire. Honestly, your best bet is to take it one step at a time.”

So, one step at a time, it is.

After dinner, Tilda headed to the restroom. Just as she turned the corner, she nearly bumped into someone familiar. The woman was busy sending a text.

“Howard, are you in Hetsa too? I’m at The Melting Spoon. I’ll send you my location.”

Tilda didn’t pay much attention to the person. But as they brushed past each other, the woman suddenly stopped in her tracks. She clearly recognized Tilda. With a look of disbelief, she spun around, stared hard, and then gasped before Tilda could say anything.

“It’s you?!”

The voice was all too familiar.

Tilda raised an eyebrow as she looked at the woman, dressed head-to-toe in designer brands and practically swimming in perfume – a look that just screamed bad taste.

Isn't this Rebecca? The same girl I filmed in that embarrassing video?

No wonder. I heard Rebecca had taken a break from college.

She hadn’t even been seen at the usual bars or clubs or hanging around with the rough crowd she used to. Turns out Rebecca had run off to Hetsa to lay low and avoid the gossip.