The voice from the car speaker was familiar, yet tinged with an unfamiliar warmth and brightness.

“Got them. I ran into Mac just now, so I'm giving him a ride.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

"Is Mac back? It's been a long time. Why didn't you say earlier that you're having a reunion? Why didn't you invite me?"

I had known Leo Jobb for over ten years and I had never heard him speak like that.

Back then, he was a reserved and quiet man who was pouring himself entirely into painting. When someone stole his spot in a competition, he would just hide away and cry.

It was I who publicly smashed that person's entry with a baseball bat, wrote a letter exposing the competition's corruption and served three days in juvenile detention to get him justice.

Indeed, absolute favoritism breeds deep affection.

“It was just a chance encounter. He has things to do. I'll be back after dropping him off.”

“A chance encounter means we're meant to meet. What's wrong with treating an old friend to a meal?”

"Leo, stop it!"

Silence fell on the other end of the line.

Kelly was always gentle when coaxing people, but once she made up her mind, no one could stop her. He should know this better than I do.

The call ended abruptly just as the car pulled up beneath the apartment building.

“Thanks.”

After thanking her politely, I got out of the car and left.

Kelly withdrew her gaze from the surroundings and called after me. "Mac, may I ask, who did you buy that silk scarf for?"

“My wife.”

Kelly pressed her hand on her forehead and smiled wryly, as if thinking I said that because I was trying to provoke her.

“You used to buy the same brand and style for me all the time, five years ago.”

"So?" I met her gaze calmly.

"You don't have to pretend in front of me. All these years, all I want is for you to be happy, not acting like this."

Huh? Like what?

The glass of the residential area gate showed my reflection.

A casual suit, plain flat shoes and a canvas bag full of groceries. The outfit of someone who was scrambling to make ends meet.

But for someone accustomed to high-end custom-made clothes like me, this look wasn't so bad at all.

I smiled and was not angry. “I think it's pretty good.”

For a brief moment, Kelly's expression softened.

"Mac, you're not the same as you used to be."

“Well, many people say that.”