Chapter 6 Catching Her With Another Man

• Despite her flight being scheduled for 6.00PM, Isabelle's busy friend Andrea made a special effort to come to the airport to see her off.
• "Why did you suddenly get divorced and decide to study abroad?" Andrea asked as she helped Isabelle move her suitcase onto the conveyor belt in the bustling departure lobby. She became friends with Isabelle after the latter transferred to her high school. They were in the same class during their third year in high school, and coincidentally, they ended up in the same university and the same major. Despite their contrasting personalities—one outgoing and lively, the other quiet and gentle—it didn't affect their friendship at all.
• After graduating from university, Andrea chose not to work in the field related to her major. Instead, she joined a real estate company, where she was responsible for commercial leasing, which required her to travel frequently for work. This time, after returning from a business trip, she heard from Isabelle that she had gotten divorced and was planning to pursue a master's degree.
• She was aware of Isabelle's sudden marriage to Raiden, which also took her by surprise back then. These two had little in common and didn't interact much, even at the high school reunion, yet they suddenly got married within a month. And now, they suddenly got divorced without warning. Andrea couldn't quite understand this.
• Isabelle was checking in at the airport when she turned to glance at her. "I want to live differently."
• Andrea raised an eyebrow. "Isn't your current life just fine? You don't have to work, and you have someone to provide for you. Countless people would envy your good luck."
• Isabelle replied, "It's better to rely on oneself instead of others."
• Andrea tilted her head and thought about it for a moment. "That's true."
• Just then, the staff returned Isabelle's ID card and boarding pass.
• Isabelle took them and glanced at her watch. "There's still some time before boarding. Shall we grab a meal first?"
• Andrea nodded. "Sure!" She put her arm around Isabelle's shoulders and was about to go with her.
• Isabelle was putting her identity documents into her bag when Andrea's unexpected gesture caused her to drop her ID card onto the floor. Isabelle hastily bent down to retrieve it, but before she could reach it, a clean and shiny leather shoe carelessly stepped on it.
• Speechless, Isabelle watched in dismay as her ID card was trodden under the polished shoe. Only then did the person wearing the shoe realize his misstep. "Sorry," his clear and deep voice sounded as he promptly lifted his foot and stooped down to pick up the ID card.
• Isabelle locked eyes with the shoe's wearer.
• "Isabelle?" the man called out to her, his uncertainty evident in his voice.
• She couldn't recall who he was at first.
• Andrea turned to look at the man and greeted in astonishment, "Hamza?"
• The name "Hamza" instantly jogged Isabelle's memory.
• Hamza Patton was their senior from the architecture department. He was three years ahead of Isabelle; while she was a freshman in university, he was already in his senior year. He had been their class advisor for more than half a year.
• She had already heard about him when she first entered university. He was good-looking, talented in architectural design, outstanding, and disciplined. He was praised by teachers and students alike as a genius. The only downside was his aloofness; similar to Raiden, he maintained a distant attitude toward everyone.
• Isabelle was also the kind to keep her distance from others. She was quiet and didn't like to socialize or seek attention. So, even though Hamza had been their class advisor for most of the year, she rarely interacted with him unless it was necessary for her studies. After he graduated, they lost touch completely. She didn't expect to run into him like this.
• "Hamza," she greeted, blushing with embarrassment.
• Hamza politely greeted her in return, seemingly not offended by her initial failure to recognize him.
• Andrea had started talking. "It's been a while, Hamza! I didn't expect to run into you here."
• He smiled. "Long time no see."
• Andrea smiled, too. "I was talking about you with one of my seniors at university just a few days ago, but I never expected to meet you today. It's really something, isn't it?" she said, glancing at her watch. Then, she asked him, "Hamza, are you in a hurry? How about having a meal together?"
• Hamza also checked the time and nodded. "Okay."
• To avoid missing their flight, the three of them chose a relatively quiet live music restaurant near the airport. Once they were seated, Andrea handed the menu to Isabelle and Hamza, saying, "Take a look and see what you'd like to eat."
• "Anything's fine," the two replied in unison.
• Startled, Andrea looked at the two of them with a smile. "What's going on here? You two are so in sync."
• Isabelle smiled as she pushed the menu toward her and Hamza. "You guys do the ordering." Perhaps because she hadn't slept well last night, she didn't have much appetite today.
• This time, Hamza didn't refuse it. He took the menu.
• Andrea carefully ordered from the menu.
• Isabelle refrained from interrupting them, feeling somewhat bored as she casually scanned the restaurant. To her surprise, she recognized someone familiar. Just then, Andrea, noticing Isabelle's focus, instinctively followed her gaze and also glimpsed Ellie.
• Ellie was sitting at the table next to theirs with her back to Isabelle, complaining to her friends about her son and daughter-in-law. She said, "My daughter-in-law still hasn't gotten pregnant yet. I used to think it was because she couldn't conceive, but who would've thought that it's my son who doesn't want to have children?"
• Isabelle froze. She heard the other person ask Ellie, "Did Raiden say that himself?"
• Ellie replied, "That's right! I don't know if I'm supposed to be happy or upset about it. William and I didn't like the wife he found in the first place. They aren't from matching backgrounds, so she can't help with his career. Not only that, but her family is a burden to ours. We told our son to divorce her and marry someone else, but he refused. I used to think it was because they were a loving couple and couldn't bear to be parted from each other, but now, I suspect it's because my son has a strong sense of responsibility and would never abandon his wife and child. Otherwise, with his personality, there was no way he wouldn't want to have children. Despite his cold appearance, he has always loved children since he was young."
• Concerned, Andrea looked at Isabelle, who gave her a reassuring smile in response.
• Hamza looked up and glanced thoughtfully at Ellie sitting across from him. Perhaps because his gaze was too noticeable to ignore, she turned her head to look at him in puzzlement, only to frown when she saw Isabelle sitting across from him.
• Andrea's attention had shifted to him. "Hamza, why are you in Westin? Are you here for business?"
• "No," he replied. "I'm from Westin myself."
• Andrea's mouth gaped open in surprise. "What a coincidence! So, are you planning to come back to work in Westin?"
• Hamza shook his head. "No, I'm not," he replied. Then, seeing her still eagerly looking at him, he added, "I'm planning to further my studies."
• She chuckled. "You're not planning to study at Zuriach Federal Institute of Technology, are you?"
• She only meant it as a joke, but to her surprise, Hamza froze at her words while holding his teacup. He looked at her and then glanced subtly at Isabelle. "Are you going to study there, too?"
• "Holy cow…" Andrea was shocked then and there. "You really are going there? Don't tell me you two are boarding the same flight?" she asked, eagerly urging Isabelle to take out her flight ticket to take a look.
• Isabelle and Hamza took out their flight tickets simultaneously to check them out, and indeed, they would be on the same flight.
• "That's great! From now on, I can leave Belle to your care, Hamza."
• He smiled and looked at Isabelle. "Congratulations."
• Isabelle smiled back at him. "Thanks."
• At this moment, Andrea's phone rang. She picked it up, glanced at its screen, and said with a smile as she stood up, "You two have a nice chat. I'll take this call." With that, she left the restaurant.
• Now, there were only Isabelle and Hamza at the table.
• Isabelle didn't know him well and had little to talk about with him. And besides, she had been feeling a slight nausea in her stomach, so she remained silent, taking small sips of the tea in front of her. Then, she slowly turned her gaze to the singer on stage in an attempt to alleviate the awkward silence.
• He didn't break the silence either. After following her gaze to the stage, he slowly turned his gaze back to her. He appeared somewhat lost in thought, a hint of nostalgia in his dark eyes.
• Ellie who had been observing the two quietly, couldn't help but frown. She immediately held up her phone and took a picture of the duo with a Click! Then, she quickly sent it to Raiden with the caption, 'What's going on with Isabelle? How could she travel abroad with another man as a married woman? How should one interpret this?'