Chapter 67

"Have you ever been to Seventh Middle School?" Eliza looked at the locked drawer in a daze, whispering, disbelieving. If Xander was indeed the man in the blue shirt from her years of memories, how was she to confront this man who was so unlike the one in her imagination? He was so abominable. Silently, Xander undid the buttons on his shirt, took a cigarette from the pack, and strolled toward the balcony. The white European-style balcony was adorned with a pot of jasmine flowers in one corner, their fragrant white blooms cascading beautifully. Dressed in a white shirt, white casual pants, and white socks, he was barefoot. He had kicked off his shoes as soon as he entered the room. The intense sunlight shone on his face, and sweat soon seeped through, dripping down from his bronze skin. The smoke from his cigarette dispersed faintly, the garden below was a burst of color. There stood a carefree host by the flower house, striking poses for photographs, chattering away in fits of laughter.