“Aveline, don’t look.” Kieran, who had been laughing just a moment ago, turned serious in an instant as he saw the scene before him. He pulled Aveline into his arms, shielding her eyes entirely from the sight.
The Kieran she had first met years ago, who was half a head shorter than her, had somehow grown taller over time. He wasn’t the little shadow following behind her anymore.
“Kieran, it’s okay. I can handle this myself.”
In such a situation, most people would have turned and left without a word. But Aveline wasn’t like most people. She was strong-willed. Even if Orion had fallen for someone else, she felt she deserved an explanation. Long ago, she had said that if either of them found someone they liked, the other would give their blessing, though she had always known it would be difficult.
Gently, she pushed Kieran aside and stepped forward, her eyes fixed on the two people in front of her.
“Aveline…” Kieran reached out to stop her, but he knew he had no right.
The two people, who had just been in each other’s arms, had already separated by the time Aveline walked up. She approached Orion from behind, her expression calm.
“Orion…” she called softly, her voice no different from the way it had always been, though her heart was in turmoil.
Hearing that familiar voice, Orion felt as if he were dreaming. He turned around and saw her-a slender girl dressed in a white coat.
“Aveline!” His face lit up, not with panic or guilt, but with surprise and joy.
He immediately ran to her, pulling her into a tight embrace. “Aveline, why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” His happiness at seeing her was written all over his face.
“Why are you crying?” he asked, lifting her face to see her red-rimmed eyes. His gaze was as gentle as ever, so much so that it made her wonder how this Orion-her Orion-could have changed.
“President, who’s this little girl?” The woman who had been leaning against Orion earlier stepped forward.
Only now did Aveline get a good look at her. She wore a striking red coat, stood about 5’3″, and even in heels, she was shorter than Aveline. Her curly hair and light makeup gave her an air of sophistication and subtle sensuality.
Kieran walked up as well. “Orion, aren’t you going to introduce this lovely lady?” His usual lighthearted demeanor was replaced by a rare coldness, and his words carried an unmistakable edge.
Seeing Aveline’s tearful eyes, Orion quickly pieced everything together.
“Aveline, don’t misunderstand. This is Amy, my assistant. She almost fell just now, and I was helping her,” Orion explained hurriedly, his expression tense.
The look on his face told Aveline everything she needed to know. If there were truly something between Orion and Amy, he wouldn’t have greeted her with such pure joy upon seeing her. He wouldn’t have been so quick to explain. He was still her Orion.
Aveline had always been good at reading people. After Orion’s explanation, she noticed a flicker of disappointment in Amy’s eyes. It was clear that Orion had no feelings for her, though the same couldn’t be said for Amy.
“Hello, I’m Aveline.” She stepped out of Orion’s arms and extended a hand to Amy.
Even in flat shoes, Aveline was slightly taller. Though only sixteen, she carried herself with a natural grace and confidence.
Amy studied her, taking in the tall, elegant girl with delicate features. Standing beside Orion, Aveline looked so effortlessly perfect and natural. For the first time, Amy felt a twinge of inadequacy, despite her own beauty and accomplishments.
“I’m Amy,” she replied, shaking Aveline’s hand.
“The snow is heavy today, Miss Amy. You should switch to flat shoes. It would be troublesome if you slipped and got hurt,” Aveline said lightly.
“Thanks for the advice,” Amy replied, her face visibly stiff.
“Aveline, why didn’t you tell me you were coming? With all this snow, I could’ve picked you up at the airport,” Orion said, brushing the snowflakes from her hair with a look of tenderness.
“I wanted to surprise you. If I told you, it wouldn’t have been a surprise anymore. Orion, I have something to tell you.” Aveline noticed how much more mature Orion had become, but his feelings for her remained unchanged.
“What is it?”
“I got accepted into Cambridge early.”
Aveline wrapped her arms around Orion’s neck, her usual calm demeanor replaced by the carefree joy she had always shown around him.
Kieran, watching from the side, couldn’t help but let out a silent sigh. No matter what he did, he could never compare to Orion in her heart.
“Aveline, how many more surprises are you going to give me?” Orion’s face was full of pride and happiness.
With her early admission, Aveline didn’t need to finish her final semester of high school. She essentially had six months of vacation ahead of her-the reward of being a top student.
“So many more,” she replied with a playful smile.
“It’s freezing out here. Let’s go home and talk.” Orion took her hand in his.
“Orion, you’re ignoring me again! Don’t forget, I’m going to the same university as Aveline,” Kieran chimed in, his tone finally lightening.
Orion glanced at him. “We’ll catch up another time. Right now, the rest of my day belongs to Aveline.”
Without another word, he led Aveline away, leaving the others behind. He couldn’t wait to spend time with her again.
Amy watched their retreating figures, her gaze growing darker.
A genius girl, born into wealth, childhood sweethearts-every detail was a chasm she could never cross.
From the distance, their voices drifted back.
“Aveline, your hands are so cold. Let me warm them for you.”
“Orion, is this Cambridge? It’s so beautiful. I’ll be here next year too.”
“Then we won’t have to be apart anymore. My Aveline, you’re amazing, skipping so many grades.”
“That’s because I missed you. I wanted to see you sooner.” Aveline leaned into him, basking in the warmth she had missed.
It was as though time had never passed. They were just as they had always been.
Amy clenched her fists, her heart heavy. Her feelings for Orion, her pride-none of it mattered next to Aveline.
Kieran noticed her turmoil and spoke bluntly. “If you’re harboring any thoughts, you’d better let them go. Those two don’t leave room for anyone else. Cross their line, and you won’t even know what hit you.”
“You’re one to talk. Didn’t I see you holding her earlier? Don’t tell me you don’t like her.”
“So what if I do? I’ve never been able to reach her heart, let alone take his place in it.” Kieran’s usual playfulness gave way to uncharacteristic solemnity.
“If you like her, fight for her. In this world, opportunities only come to those who are ready.”
“Let me give you some advice: don’t waste your time. Otherwise, the consequences won’t be something you can handle.”
With one last glance at the direction Orion and Aveline had gone, Kieran picked up his suitcase and walked away.