Ended My Six-Year Relationship with a Cheater

Chapter 6

Before I could even react, my dad shoved the pink helmet Eugene handed me onto my head. He fumbled with the straps for a bit, struggling to get them right. Eugene finally stepped in, laughing lightly. "Uncle Henry, let me do it."

My dad scratched his head and stepped back, leaving me facing Eugene. As he moved closer, I couldn't help but notice how much he'd grown. The neighbor kid I used to know was now a head taller than me, with a serious look on his face. He tilted his head, his fist hovering just a breath away from my chin, and I caught the faint scent of mint as he leaned in. His skin was flawless, and for a moment, I just stood there, caught up in the moment.

Once we were on the motorcycle, I wrapped my arms around Eugene's waist, the firm feel of his back making my cheeks flush. The wind rushed by us, but the helmet muffled the sound, giving me a brief moment of calm amid the thrill.

When we arrived, I was completely caught off guard. What used to be an unfinished building had been transformed into a full-on theater, buzzing with activity. "When did this place change so much?" I asked, amazed.

Eugene took the helmet from me with a smile. He always seemed to be smiling, his energy infectious. "Two years ago, I asked my sister for money to buy this place, then rebuilt it into the Starry Sky Cinema," he said, his voice full of enthusiasm.

"At the time, I was all in, thinking I could make a fortune. But, in the end, the only people who came, aside from a few friends, were just the kids from school." He laughed, and I couldn't help but join in.

"So, why don't you sell it?" I asked.

Eugene shook his head, his expression serious. "No way. I like being here. I enjoy the vibe."

I paused, glancing around. It was hard to understand what there was to enjoy, but as we walked in, I saw a barbecue grill set up on the grass, the smoky scent hanging in the air. Eloise and a few others were busy preparing for a little gathering. Some were skewering ingredients, others hauling in beer, and a few were stringing up colorful lights to decorate.

In the middle of it all, Eloise caught sight of me and grinned, her lips curling into a mischievous smirk. "Well, well, look who's back! Olive! Didn't you marry a rich guy in Beverly Hills? Why didn't you bring him along?"

I glanced at her round belly but didn't say a word.

Eugene shot her a warning look, clearly frustrated. "Eloise."

She rolled her eyes, barely hiding her grin. "Alright, alright! Just trying to have some fun."

Eugene turned to me, his face helpless. "We've got two options for movies here. One's like a regular theater where you can binge-watch all day. The other is a more nostalgic experience, but we'll have to wait until evening for that. Which one do you prefer?"

Before I could answer, he jumped in, "Honestly, I recommend the evening one. You haven't been back in a while, and some things are better experienced at night."

Not particularly invested in the specifics, I nodded. "Alright, let's do it at night."

"Awesome!" Eugene's face lit up.

After we made the plan, he asked me to explore the area while he grabbed something from the theater. As soon as he left, Eloise made a face, clearly unimpressed by her brother's retreat. She pulled me down beside her, her eyes narrowing. "What happened to you? You've gone all quiet on me after all these years."

I fought back a laugh, gritting my teeth. "I've just been trying to avoid annoying you."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk! Have you ever won an argument since we were kids?" Eloise teased.

I couldn't help but smirk. From childhood to adulthood, we were rivals, always fighting for the upper hand. But secretly, we both knew we'd each scored silent victories over the other.

Eugene came back, holding a tent and calling for help. I quickly got up to pitch in, eager to be useful. Unlike Eloise, Eugene was patient, explaining each step as we worked together.

By lunchtime, everyone gathered to eat takeout. I discreetly counted, there were at least twenty people there. Time seemed to fly as we kept busy, setting up and chatting. As the colorful lights blinked to life on the tree, I looked around and realized it was already night.