Susanna seemed overly eager.
Clearly, Conrad knew nothing about this and intended to keep treating me like a fool.
"It's nothing. I've got to go now," I said, hanging up the call.
...
I returned to the hotel, quickly showered, and rushed to meet with a client. After the meeting concluded and contracts were signed, I thought everything was settled. However, the client was in high spirits and insisted on celebrating with drinks.
Although I have a mild allergy to alcohol, I didn't decline the invitation.
I drank until I was hunched over a toilet, vomiting uncontrollably.
It was already four o'clock in the morning.
My assistant saw the client off, and after taking a sobering pill and getting some fresh air, I felt relatively sober.
I hailed a cab and got in.
My assistant's loud calls from outside were muffled by the car windows and the cold wind.
At four o'clock in the morning, the sky was starting to lighten. The dark horizon was pierced by golden streaks.
It reminded me of Conrad's awkward and earnest confession when he first asked me to be his girlfriend.
He had nervously held my hand, looking dazed as he asked, "Would you be my girlfriend?"