Edwin had already ordered the finest wine, its rich aroma filling the secluded space. The private room's dim lighting and plush seating provided an air of exclusivity and comfort. As Benjamin entered, his face a mask of thought, he wasted no time, downing the glass Edwin had poured for himself in a single gulp. Edwin watched as Benjamin poured another shot, wondering if it was the memories of his mother that drove him to drink.

 °°°

  Benjamin had never held affection for his mother. She had abandoned him when he was just five years old, despite his tearful pleas for her to stay. Instead, she walked away with another man, leaving Benjamin to witness his father, William, in a state of despair. At that time, William had nothing—no prospects, no motivation—except for his son. He dedicated every moment outside of work to Benjamin, even sacrificing sleep to help him with his studies.

  Benjamin hadn't been an exceptional student initially. His grades were poor, but William persisted. One day, Benjamin insisted that his father rest while he continued studying alone. Within a year, he received the Best Student award and topped his class.

  Years passed, and Benjamin's brilliance shone. He skipped two grades due to his intelligence, becoming one of the brightest students in the entire school.

 °°°

  Edwin smiled, recalling the day he felt immense pride for his friend and William, now affectionately known as Uncle. Benjamin received the Brilliant Student award, while Uncle was recognized as the Best Businessman of the Year.

  "Why, Benjamin, are you still thinking about that woman? She's long gone from your life," Edwin asked, trying to halt Benjamin's actions. His voice was gentle but firm, filled with concern for his friend. He could see the pain etched in Benjamin's eyes, a pain that had lingered for years.

  Benjamin's jaw tightened as he downed another shot, his hand trembling slightly as he set the glass down. "This time it's not about her," he replied, his voice heavy with a mix of frustration and sorrow.

  "Why now? You've never drunk like this before," Edwin pressed, genuinely curious. His own heart ached to see Benjamin in such turmoil.

  Benjamin pulled out his phone and showed Edwin a picture of a girl. "It's her," he said, his voice softening as he gazed at the image on his screen.

  Edwin's gaze softened as he looked at the girl—a delicate flower with a band-aid on her temple, tears in her eyes. The vulnerability in her expression tugged at his heart. "Who is she?" Edwin asked, captivated by the emotion in Benjamin's eyes.

  "Her name is Isabella," Benjamin revealed, and Edwin turned to face him. "What has she done to you?" Edwin inquired, his voice filled with curiosity and concern.

  Benjamin leaned back, lost in thought. The weight of his emotions was palpable in the small room. "The first time I saw her was the day we had a birthday party to attend... I was on my way to the party..."

  Isabella was going to Delight in a hurry. On her way, she saw a cute kitten in the middle of the road. Her heart raced as she noticed a car speeding toward it. Without thinking, she ran toward the kitten, scooping it up just as the car screeched to a halt inches from them. For a moment, she had prepared for the worst, but to her relief, the car stopped in time.

  She approached the car's window, her heart still pounding. "Thank you for stopping the car, and I'm sorry that I couldn't avoid it. But always drive the car at an average speed. God bless," Isabella said with a smile, turning away before the driver could react.

  The driver, about to scold Isabella for her recklessness, bit his tongue when he realized she had just saved a kitten. He was especially wary because the car belonged to the great Benjamin Charles, whose latest model wasn't even on the market yet.

  From the backseat, Benjamin thought the girl had deliberately jumped in front of the car to attract attention. Busy with a phone meeting, he had only caught a glimpse of her hair tied in a bun. Annoyed, he instructed his assistant to gather information about her.

  He watched as she handed the kitten to a crying little girl nearby, assuming the kitten belonged to her. Her act of kindness did nothing to soften his irritation, which was amplified by memories of his own mother's abandonment. Every innocent face seemed a facade to him, hiding ulterior motives.

  His assistant quickly began gathering information about the mysterious girl with the kitten, taking photos and noting her actions. Benjamin's distrust of women deepened, his heart hardened by past betrayals and the perceived deceit he now saw in Isabella.

  FLASHBACK ENDS

  "You know, Benjamin, not every girl is like your mother or the ones who hurt you. Some are genuinely kind and caring. You just have to open your heart to see it.Okay, then tell me one clear reason why you're annoyed with her!" Edwin demanded, pouring himself a glass of wine. The rich aroma of the drink filled the air, but the tension between them was palpable.

  Benjamin's jaw tightened as he tried to articulate his feelings. "She deliberately came forward to attract my..." He trailed off, unable to complete the sentence. His frustration was evident, but Edwin wasn't buying it.

  "Tell me something practical, Benjamin! Will there be any person who would jump in front of a speeding car? She could have died!" Edwin's voice was firm but there was a hint of exasperation. 

  He continued "And moreover, the car you own is a limited edition, and you just brought it the day before! Not even the news was there! How would she know it's your car then? Admit it, Benjamin, you are the one attracted to her! You are just making up insane reasons to keep her in your vicinity!"