Chapter 31: Ambiguity

The restaurant is decorated in a classical style. The wallpaper is beige with some hollow carved patterns. The crystal chandelier above casts a soft yellow glow, making the silverware and glasses on the dining table sparkle.

A white classical piano is placed in the central open space of the restaurant. At this moment, a young pianist is playing music.

The keys vibrate, and the soothing and melodious tune ripples in the restaurant.

"French Movie Waltz" Jack listened attentively, his expression thoughtful, "It's a very romantic piano piece - just like the name, it's full of the rhythm of French movies."

The two were sitting by the window. The restaurant is located on the third floor of the shopping mall, and the view overlooks the square below.

Bruce picked up a piece of foie gras with a fork and put it in his mouth. He listened silently to Jack's understanding of music.

"I love this light tune, so elegant and cheerful," he said, his fingertips following the rhythm, tapping the table lightly. "It's like a little person dancing a waltz in my heart, letting my emotions swirl with the hem of her skirt—"

"You sound like you have a deep understanding of piano music."

"Just because I listen to it so much," Jack shrugged. "As an actor—I've heard all kinds of piano music. Theaters always like to play all kinds of piano music to stir the audience's emotions."

He took a sip of champagne and added, "It's a basic quality for an actor."

Just then, a waiter in a uniform black and white uniform arrived with a food cart.

"Your pan-fried frog legs."

He picked up the plate and placed it on the table, then lifted the lid. The aroma of butter filled his face.

Jack forked a frog leg.

"Come to think of it, this is my first time eating this." He examined it with interest, dipped it in the lemon juice next to it, and then took a sip. After a moment's contemplation, he spoke, "Hmm... the pepper taste seems a bit strong, and the meat isn't quite tender enough. It tastes a bit like fried chicken..."

"If you still remember this was your idea," Bruce raised an eyebrow. He also picked up a frog leg and put it in his mouth. A creamy taste instantly filled his mouth. After a moment, he commented, "A bit greasy."

Jack snorted a laugh and said nothing more, concentrating on savoring the food.

He was very polite when eating, chewing slowly and with proper manners, his back straight and his distance from the back of his chair.

But when he drank champagne, he was less polite. The tip of his tongue would jut out, revealing a hint of bright red through the glass. When he tilted his head back slightly to drink, some of the golden wine even ran down the corner of his mouth, slid over his Adam's apple, and sank into his shirt.

After consuming a certain amount of alcohol, a thin layer of blush began to gradually appear on the pale skin, and Bruce's gaze unconsciously lingered there for a few more seconds.

At this time, Jack stopped what he was doing, put down his knife and fork, and looked at him with a smile.

The moment their eyes met, Bruce withdrew his gaze slightly embarrassed.

... He realized belatedly that Jack's previous series of actions seemed to have a deeper meaning.

What Jack said also confirmed his guess.

"Why are you always looking at me today?" His eyes were slightly deep, his fingertips lightly resting on his cheek, and he asked with a smile, "Is there something on my face?"

The atmosphere was a little strange.

Bruce wasn't sure how to respond, so he skipped the first question and replied,

"No, your face is clean."

"So should I take that to mean—" Jack grabbed Bruce's hand, his fingertips rubbing against his own, "You actually want to be intimate with me? Maybe we can do something else?"

Bruce sat stiffly, feeling the warmth of the other person. He could feel Jack's gaze observing his expression, and beneath the table—someone's leg restlessly pressed against him, rubbing up his calf.

"Honey, why aren't you able to look at me?" Jack leaned in slightly, trying to find his angle to meet his eyes. "You're not shy, are you?"

A smile played in his eyes, rippling like a deep green pool. He caressed Bruce's hand even more boldly, saying, "

Remember? We did something more intimate. We slept in the same bed for days. We kissed. I just want to relive that—"

Bruce could see his Adam's apple bobbing, those green eyes watching him intently.

The voice in his ear was low and ambiguous.

"I know you have feelings for me—" Jack stood up and sat next to him, wrapping his arm around Bruce's waist and forcing him closer. "Have you felt like you've become more duplicitous since losing your memory?"

Jack's hand caressed his cheek, a gentle smile in his voice. He said directly,

"I want to kiss you, right now."

He leaned in closer, his green eyes brimming with a sense of aggression, yet also a hint of pleading.

Bruce's Adam's apple rolled involuntarily, and he coughed softly, pushing back.

"This isn't the right place."

"What's inappropriate?" Jack pretended to glance around, surveying the surroundings before turning back to Bruce. "This is a romantic French restaurant. No one's going to call the police on a same-sex couple kissing, babe."

He leaned in closer, their noses almost touching.

"Don't you want to?" he asked.

...

This shouldn't be happening,

Bruce told himself.

Jack was a destabilizing factor. He shouldn't have let their relationship get any closer. He shouldn't have given Jack illusions, shouldn't have indulged his feelings—

…but he didn't push Jack away.

"Just to let his guard down," he thought quickly. "No big deal—just like the sweet talk I gave those girls."

Bruce's impulses danced against his rationality, and he clung to a single excuse: "It's a tactic."

So when Jack leaned over, he stood still, their foreheads pressed together, their breaths mingling, and he could smell the alcohol on Jack's lips.

Jack's lips moved slightly, and he whispered,

"So you're not going to say no to me, are you?"

At that moment, the temperature seemed to rise several degrees, and a surge of impatience shot through Bruce's heart.

The distance between them was almost zero, and he took the initiative to grab Jack's green tie.

Just as their lips were about to touch—

"Boom!"

There was a dull sound, and then the chandelier in the ceiling began to shake, and all the lights went out in an instant.

Screams erupted.