Patrick looked at me strangely, and I wondered what I had done wrong this time.
"What's wrong?" I finally asked, unable to stand his weird look.
"Vallerie, what happened to your phone? I sent so many messages, and you didn't respond."
I glanced at my phone. There were indeed a few messages, but it was late by then.
"Oh, I fell asleep," I said simply.
"Well, I didn't mean to not pick you up. Samuel suddenly felt unwell, and I had to..."
"It's fine. I'm not a child. I can find my way home."
"Vallerie, please don't be like this. I know you're upset..."
"No, I'm not. I'm quite happy, not angry at all. Maybe I was too tired from the flight and fell asleep," I said as I got up and went to the bedroom.
"Vallerie, say what's on your mind. Don't be like this. I don't buy it." Patrick frowned, clearly unhappy.
"Huh? Oh, you're overthinking. I'm really just tired."
I opened the blanket. "I need to rest. What about you? Are you going to sleep?"
"Vallerie..." Patrick stammered, then slammed the door and left.
I was speechless.
And soon I understood why he was angry. He thought he was giving me face, and I wasn't appreciating it, which made him feel he was losing face.
But his face meant nothing to me now.
The next day.
I yawned as I went downstairs and saw Patrick at home with a cake on the table.
"Is it your birthday?" I asked.
Patrick's face darkened. "No, Vallerie, it's for you, a belated celebration for your birthday and our fifth anniversary."
"Oh, so you remember it was our anniversary?"
"Vallerie, I'm sorry about that day. Samuel's depression acted up, and she wasn't cooperating with the treatment. Her parents had no choice but to call me."
"Regarding cooking in the kitchen, it's because she said she wanted my homemade chicken soup… Yesterday was because she…"
"The cake looks nice and tastes good, thank you," I said.
Patrick was momentarily speechless.
I lit the candles and made a wish, hoping this trip abroad would go smoothly.
"Thank you, sincerely," I said again.
Patrick, "...Vallerie, are you listening to me?"
"I heard you, and it's fine. You two are childhood friends, it's normal. I was immature before, it won't happen again," I said. "There is no chance," Patrick said.
There was a flicker of panic in Patrick's eyes.
"Won't you have a piece? This cake is really good. Their bakery has improved," I said, cutting a piece for him.
"Vallerie, are you… really not angry? Not upset?"