Natalie paused, popcorn halfway to her lips.


    "Don''t look at me like that. I''m a believer in pure love."


    Hearing this, Natalie couldn''t hold it in any longer.


    Did all the young guys use lines like this to pick up girls these days?


    But she no longer believed in love; she only believed in herself.


    Still, looking at the bright-eyed young man before her, she shed a dazzling smile. "Fun is off the table. You can have fun by yourself."


    Natalie smiled and ced the popcorn in hisp. "It''s really good."


    She hoped the delicious popcorn would convince him to stop talking.


    The boyughed, a little exasperated, but seemed to understand her meaning. His bright eyes twinkled as he looked at her. "So, I try to cheer you up, and instead of being grateful, you use this to shut me up."


    Natalie was surprised. This kid was incredibly perceptive. Just from the look in his eyes, he wasn''t an ordinary kid, and his ridiculously expensive T-shirt confirmed he came from a wealthy family.


    Natalie whispered, "We shouldn''t disturb the other people watching the movie."


    The boy grinned. A good excuse. He didn''t say anything more and started eating the popcorn. After a couple of kernels, he leaned toward Natalie. "You''re right, this is delicious. Really, really good. Very fragrant."


    Natalie smiled back. "If you like it, have some more."


    She was getting hit on even at the movies. Sebastian was right; her face was a liability.


    The boy whispered, "Date me. I have a lot of money. I can give you all my money." Natalie chuckled, genuinely amused by his adorable offer.


    "The money you have now isn''t yours; it belongs to your family. You should work hard. Only when you have your own things can you weather any storm."


    The boy was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. "You''re right about that."


    The movie was reaching its climax—a dead end.


    Marico killed everyone who had wronged Crystal, then took her body and stepped into the path of reincarnation.


    The boy next to Natalie remarked, "Wow, that''s so tragic. Do you think they''ll meet again in the next life?"


    Natalie smiled faintly. "I don''t know. If it were me, and I had a next life, I would rather we never met at all."


    She had wondered before: if she could be reborn, would it have been better never to have known Sebastian and Joanna?


    Sebastian stared at her back, his feelings a tangled mess.


    "Hey, the movie''s over. Let''s go," the boy said, standing up.


    Natalie stood up as well and left with him. They chatted andughed as they walked, and Natalie didn''t notice Sebastian at all, even though his powerful presence was hard to miss, even in the dim light


    Somehow, she waspletely oblivious to him.


    He followed them downstairs with dark


    Session. At the bottom


    of


    the stairs Natalie waved to the b


    II


    La


    boy


    "Bye handsome!"


    The boy waved back. "Hope to see you again soon!"


    He left with a grin.


    ret


    Natalie also walked away with a smile Sometimes, happiness in life was that simple. A kind word from a stranger could bring a moment of joy.


    Sebastian followed Natalie from a distance, realizing for the first time what an interesting person she was.


    dog.


    She would yfully interact with children on the street and buy food for a little stray


    She bought herself an ice cream cone and ate it while she window-shopped.


    When someone asked for directions, she exined patiently.


    After two hours of wandering, Natalie finally arrived at the restaurant where she was meeting Matthew.