Criminal Love

53. Can't Fight It

Monday afternoon

Yue and Dylan are in the elevator, going to the 6th floor of their apartment building because that's where Sandra lives.

They knock on the woman's door and Carol opens.

"Yue! Dylan! You came to visit us together!" The girl gleefully jumps up and down and then hugs both visitors with affection; she's a sweet child.

"Carol, how are you?" Yue asks and gives her a kiss on the forehead.

"I'm good. Mom's in the bathroom, showering. Sit," she urges, taking Yue's and Dylan's hands and yanking them towards the couch with a huge smile on her face.

Already settled on the old sofa, Yue and Dylan share an affectionate glance as Carol runs to her bedroom to get a big sketchbook she uses for school. When she comes back, she wedges between Dylan and Yue, scooching away their butts with her hips, and places the block on Dylan's lap.

Yue and Dylan chuckle at the girl's tenacity.

"Di, look what I drew for art class!" she excitedly requests. "The teacher was proud of my work. She wanted to know who taught me the techniques I used, and I told her that my neighbor is an artist!"

Dylan is pleased to hear the girl applied the advice he gave her for art class and Yue's heart swells imagining how one day their own children as well might be proud of having a father who is an artist. She knows it is too soon to think about that, they must tackle some
-several-issues first. And she is not even sure she wants children yet. Still, she cannot help daydreaming.

Carol opens the sketchbook and Dylan scrolls through the pages. "Carol, these are very good. You are incredibly talented," he assures.

"Thanks! That's what the teacher said too."

Dylan strokes the kid's hair and Yue pats her leg.

"They're awesome drawings, Carol," Yue confirms, and the child hugs her.

"Are you an artist too, Yuyu?"

"I am an art critic, actually," Yue states.

"What's that?"

"Um, it's a person who is specialized in analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating art."

"Wow! Here!" Carol takes the paper block away from Dylan and hands it to Yue. "Tell me, how is my work?" she invites inquisitively.

But before Yue can say a word...

"Hey, guys," Sandra greets, surprised to find her neighbors in her home. "I was taking a shower. How's everything?"

◇◇◇

"I can't believe the lawyer took my case." Sandra, who is sitting in the kitchen with Dylan, is stunned to hear the good news. Her instinct is to hug the man gratefully as happy tears escape her moved eyes. "Thanks," she mutters to him, her arms still around his body.

Yue, who stayed on the couch with Carol a few meters away from the kitchen table, gives them a sidelong glance and attempts to swallow the mass of jealousy that instantly blocks her throat at the unpleasant sight.

Dylan is a good guy. He helps people, that's it. Remember he loves you, Yue. He said he wants no one but you.

Yue takes a deep breath in and continues to pet Whiskers that's on Carol's lap, purring.

"How did he behave? Was he a good kitty?" Yue inquires to dissipate her murderous thoughts-it really doesn't help that she carries a gun.

"Yes, he's always good. But today he's been very clingy, he wants a lot of attention. He's also meowing a lot at the door..." Carol casually replies, a small smile on her face as she strokes the gray ball of fur that she loves.