Page 117 of Encounter

“Where are we going? To yours?” I asked while I was putting my seatbelt on. I was glad I finally understood why he was always so particular about it.

“Yep.” The excitement in his voice didn’t escape me. Even his eyes burned with some sort of spark, and I doubted it was only from being happy for my victory. “Have a cake waitin’ for you.”

I chuckled. “A cake? How would you—”

“Already told ya. I knew you’d win,” he said, with the most tender smile.

Shit. My heart’s going to explode. This is all... too good.Screw Dad. Screw him and the need for his acceptance. This is all that matters.

Once we arrived at Chast’s, Kitty greeted me at the door. Meowing, she acted like the few days we hadn’t seen each other have been eternity.

“Hello, sweetie.” Before I could bend down to pet her, Chast touched my shoulder and gently pried the trophy out of my hand. I let him, still feeling anxious about that look in his eyes. Carefully observing him, I sat on the couch with Kitty but followed Chast as he put the trophy on the dining table and went to the kitchen.

When he came back, he hid something behind his back, barely capable of containing his excitement. “Alright, I lied. The cake ain’t your reward—I’ve got somethin’ else to give you for all your hard work.”

“Alright...?” I gave him an anxious frown. “You know, I hate surprises, most of the time.”

“Well, you’ll like this one. I hope.” Chast walked around the couch to stand in front of me. “Close your eyes. Put your hands out,” he ordered.

I shared an unsure glance with Kitty but obliged.God, let it not be a gun.“You’re not... waving your penis in front of me right now, are you?” I murmured.

Chast’s laughter sent calming tingles through my body. “Hey!” he blurted out as if he was offended. “I’dneverdo such a thing! But no—and I imagine this is something much, much better.”

Better than Chast’s cock? I doubt that very much.Smirking, I held my hands up, waiting for the grand ol’ prize. Something flat and fairly light rested on my palms, wide in shape. I tapped my foot, dying to open my eyes.

“Go on.”

Peeking carefully, the emotions flooded me before I knew what hit me. The name on the record blurred in front of my eyes. The blue cover of a woman sitting on a piano, swallowed by branches all around her was familiar, distinct, but... it couldn’t have been what I thought it was.

Lucia Huang. Mom’s LP. Signature and all.

Staring at it with my mouth open, I couldn’t gather a single thought for a moment. I couldn’t blink or react before my burning eyes forced me to, releasing even more tears. “This...”

“Shit. Is it the right one?” Chast’s voice echoed in the distance.

I squeezed the corners of the LP to prove it really was in my hands. It’s antique smell, rough texture, faded colors, tattered edges.

I can’t believe this. It was gone. It was lost forever.

When Chast knelt in front of me with concern in his face, I finally looked down—tears dribbling out of my eyes, snot running down my nose. “How’d you... How—” I whimpered, making sure it didn’t vanish from my grip.

Back of Chast’s hand brushed against my burning, wet cheek. With soft eyes, he smiled at me and leaned closer. “I take that as a yes,” he said. “I’m glad. Took forever to find it. I had Gregory comb through every damn pawn and musical shop in the city. Thankfully, this sort of thing ain’t exactly flying off the shelves.” He grinned proudly.

I studied his face, speechless, barely breathing.I can’t believe he did this for me.

“I mentioned itonce,” I whispered, shaking my head in disbelief.

“Yeah, well,” he said, wiping my face again with his thumb, “sounded real important to you.” Gently pressing his fingers into my nape, he pulled us closer, resting our foreheads together. Instead of calming me down, I burst out into more tears, overwhelmed by the strength of my emotions.

“Lucia Huang was... was my Mom’s stage name,” I mumbled, interrupted by my hiccups and sniffs. I let myself sink into Chast’s hug and eventually put the LP next to me, wrapping my hands around him fully.

What the hell did I do to deserve this?

“Oh wow. That’s— I didn’t mean to upset you,” he whispered, running his hands through my hair.

“You didn’t!” I said, pushing him away so he could see my face. “I’m happy. I’m... just too damn happy,” I quickly wiped my eyes with my sleeve.Shit. I have to get myself together.“I’ve never been happier.”

“Oh, I’m only gettin’ started!” Chast boasted with a wide grin, making me laugh.

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