Chapter 14 Keep the Noise Down (1)

• "Well, aren't you two just annoying? Lately, you've been talking about this every one or two days."
• "It's not that we want to nag, but we've said it so many times, yet you don't have any intentions to leave. Chad, no one acts like a third wheel the way you do. It's not that we want to drive you away, but it's really inconvenient for you to live here," Yasmin said, putting on a long face.
• Chadwick looked at Yasmin, then at Keith.
• "Bro, it's not that I'm not honoring our friendship. You said you're not short of money now, so you randomly find a place to stay. It doesn't have to be too far away. Just rent a place to live nearby. You can still eat here, just like you are now, okay? If you really can't cope anymore, I'll rent a place for you. My wife and I truly need to have our personal space. It's not inconvenient for me, but it's mainly because she's a girl. What do you say?" Keith said, feeling troubled.
• Chadwick smiled, then looked solemnly at Yasmin and said, "Yasmin, you're good friends with her, right?"
• "Who?"
• "You know who I'm talking about. Emily. You were the closest to Emily at that time, right?" he asked gravely.
• "Yeah. It's all because you were dating her. I was with Keith, who always followed you around, and so was Emily. I got close to her because I spent so much time with her!" Yasmin admitted truthfully.
• "You know all her former classmates and friends, and you still keep in touch, right?"
• "Some of them I do, some I don't."
• "Then, did you manage to find the information I asked you to help me find about Emily?"
• "Chad. Chadwick. Of course, I found it. Why wouldn't I? I've searched all over the world, but no one knows where she has gone. Her phone number has been changed, she has never used Twitter, her Instagram account has been deactivated, and there aren't any updates on her MySpace or Facebook. I've looked at everything I can find, but there really isn't any news from her. Do you think you can find her if she's deliberately avoiding you? Let alone me."
• "It's impossible for a person to be completely disconnected from the entire world. Sooner or later, she'll contact her former friends and classmates. I don't know them. I only know you. So, I only asked you for help. When I came here, I already said that if you don't help me find her, then I won't leave. If you want me to quickly move out, find a way to help me find her as soon as possible." Chadwick took a sip of wine, then took a puff of his cigarette and spoke to Yasmin in a somber tone.
• "Chad, are you trying to threaten me or something?" Yasmin was furious.
• "Yes, I'm threatening you. Yasmin, can you truly say that you didn't hear any news about her? I don't believe it. With how close you were, it's impossible that she didn't reveal any information to you before leaving. I came to Millsborough for another purpose: to hopefully get some news about her from you, but you didn't tell me anything.
• Yasmin, Keith, ask yourselves this. After so many years, how have I treated you two? Have I mistreated you? Did I wrong you in any way? Why do you have to help her keep this matter from me?" Chadwick slapped the table after he finished speaking, and anyone could see that he was truly enraged.
• After he finished speaking, neither Yasmin nor Keith spoke, and neither dared to do so, especially when his face had turned red from fury.
• "Chad, don't get too emotional. Both of us remember how you treated us," Keith said hurriedly.
• "Chad, why are you still yearning for her? I told you the day you came to forget about her. She's not worth talking about anymore. The hundreds of thousands you borrowed for her… Just treat it as if you lost it playing cards. According to your current salary, you can pay it off after a year or two. When you get another girlfriend next time, make sure you keep your eyes wide open. Don't find a woman like her anymore," Yasmin slowly added.
• "That's right, Chad! Think positive!" Keith hurriedly agreed.
• "I'm not looking for her because of the hundreds of thousands. She didn't ask me to borrow that money in the first place. I willingly took the initiative to borrow them from my relatives and friends. So, the money has nothing to do with her. Of course, since I borrowed them myself, I will pay them back on my own. I don't blame her or hate her. I'm not yearning for her either. Actually, all I want is an answer. I just want an answer as to why she left me."
• "Isn't the answer obvious? You have no money, and she can't stand living a poor life with you. It's that simple!" Yasmin said.
• "It's not like I've been with her for only a year or two, and me being poor is nothing new. Not to mention, I don't believe that she's the kind of person who hates the poor unless she tells me that herself. So, I want to find her no matter what the answer is, and I want her to stand in front of me and tell me herself," Chadwick answered coldly.
• "Why do you have to do that? Chad, you're too stubborn!" Yasmin sighed, then said, "People change. They won't necessarily be the way they were in the past. You guessed correctly. She contacted me before leaving you, but I don't know much either. I only know one thing. That is that she seems to have frequent contact with a rich man. She told me that herself. I chewed her out then, but I could hear that she was hesitant about whether to continue being with you or leave you for that man. After that, you came over. I never contacted her again, and I couldn't find her. The answer is obvious. She abandoned you and went with that man. That's all I know."
• The reason why we haven't told you is because we don't want you to get hurt. We thought that after a while, you would slowly forget about Emily and forget about the matter too, but a few months have passed, yet you're still so persistent about this. Why bother? Is it worth doing all this for a woman like her?" Yasmin advised him.
• "Not everything in this world can be measured in terms of worth. I want to forget her too, but I was born stubborn, so if I don't hear her personally telling me the reason, I won't stop. All right. Keith, Yasmin, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's have a drink. I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Cheers." Chadwick sighed after speaking, then clinked cans with Keith before tilting his head back and gulping down the entire can of beer. Then, he smacked his lips and said while eating, "Now that I have the answer, I'll go find a place to stay tomorrow. I won't disturb you being all lovey-dovey anymore. If Keith ends up being unable to perform in that aspect, I can't afford to take the blame."
• "Pfft. Nothing good ever comes out of a filthy mouth," Yasmin chided while blushing.
• Chadwick burst into laughter.
• "It's not that urgent. You don't even have the time. Yasmin and I have our off days on the weekend. We'll find one for you then!" Keith said, feeling guilty about driving Chadwick away. However, his wife was there, so it was inconvenient, which left him with no choice.
• "No, it's more convenient for me to find a house. I walk the streets and alleys all day long, so I know better than you about where there are places to rent. But, it's unrealistic to move away immediately. It'll take at least two days. Whatever the case, I'll have to trouble you and ask you to endure for two more days. Remember, keep the noise down tonight, and Yasmin, your voice is just… We don't have soundproof walls!"
• "Get out. If you continue, you'll be sleeping in the corridor tonight," Yasmin was infuriated.