My eyes widen. The kiss nearly takes my breath away.
I hear someone screaming and people gather around us.
James kisses me rudely, sucking my lips, which makes us look awkward but romantic.
Until he let go of me does I have time to smooth my breath.
“Silly girl.” James licks his lips. He pulls the bike away from me and stands up.
I still feel like I’m out of my mind.
“Get up.” James takes my hand.
I look up and there in front of me is a gorgeous yellow light mixed with clouds. James is standing right in the middle of it, smiling.
It’s not for the first time I have indulged in the shock he gives me.
Such James is very handsome.
James crouches down and lifts me off the ground.
“Can’t you hear me?” James grunts, a smirk lingering on his lips.
“Hey!” I quickly run out of James’s arms, take a look at the people watching us and say shyly, “Stop that!”
“Aha! You are very happy!” People are excited.
James gives them a thumbs-up, which means they’re right.
“Let’s go!” I angrily cover my face and walk forward. My face is burning hot.
James pushes the bike slowly behind me.
I used to fantasize when I was in college that if I have a boyfriend, I would walk around campus with him, but I didn’t get the chance the whole time.
But today, I fulfill my wish.
James takes me on a bike, although it failed, I am satisfied.
How good it would be if our life is so simple, but is it possible?
I look back at James suddenly, which catches him off guard, and he freezes.
His eyes have been fixed on me, in a gentle way.
I smile at him and James looks at me with just a suggestion of a smile. Maybe this is the simplest happiness.
Suddenly a feeling of sadness floods me. I don’t know whether I am melodramatic or not. I have already thought about revenge, but it will definitely hurt James, although he deserves it.
However, I would feel sad.
James strides up, takes my hand, and shakes it.
“A penny for your thoughts.” James says.
I scratch his palm and say, “I am thinking that how nice it would be if I had a boyfriend when I was in college. Maybe that guy was such a good cyclist that I would not have a fall.”
I squint and smile at him.
James pretends to be angry and says, “Such people are probably gone. You could only have me, such a handsome guy that makes you have a fall.”
He raises his eyebrows.
Narcissism.
I snort without looking at him.
“Don’t you notice all the girls around are looking at me? That shows how handsome I am, doesn’t it?” James gives a gentle smile to the young girl around him, and she comes over blushing.
“Hey!” I glare at him and say, “It’s enough. Stop it!”
“Yes!” James takes my hand and kisses it.
“Right.” I suddenly remember the girl who sold James her bike. “How much did you pay for it?”
“Twenty thousand.” James holds out two fingers and says, “The price is reasonable, right?”
I sneer, “Yes.”
He looks at me with the satisfaction of a businessman, and I don’t want to tease him anymore.
He and I look at each other and smile, and shake our heads.
It turns out that he wants to live a simple happy life as I do, but the destiny doesn’t allow it.
“Let’s go home.” James looks at the sky and says, “It’s going to be dark soon.”
I look back at the roadside we walk through, feeling a little reluctant, “All right.”
“If you want to come again, I’ll always come with you.” James says.
Do we have future? I don’t know. I just feel I’m freaking out.
On the way back, I am thinking about the day. I met my sister. I saw a different James I never knew.
“I did not expect you to be so childish.” I couldn’t help laughing. The naive James is so funny.
“I could have been more naive.” James looks at me and says, “Do you know how many boys are looking at you around here? I’m angry.”
“Is it? I don’t know. I only see girls have their eyes fixed on someone.” I roll my eyes.
“Well, I won’t tease you.” James shows the white feather.
I smile.
James walks all the way downstairs. I thought he would come to my apartment, but James says good night to me and leaves.
The smile fades from my face as I watch his car disappear into the night.
I may remember the day for a lifetime.
There is one more day left.
What is in store for us after Isabel’s wedding?
I have been hiding my name, afraid of making friends, and contacting my family. All I have been waiting for is this day. I cannot make any mistakes.
When I get home, I will confirm again and make sure everything is safe.
Looking at the night sky outside, I sit for a whole night, feeling nervous, but excited. Any language cannot describe my mood right now.
The dress arrives the day before.
It fits me. I look at the white dress, smiling.
I’m looking forward to tomorrow.
James picks me up early in the morning.
I am so surprised that he even brings me a make-up artist.
The small living room is crowded with people.
“Help her design a makeup look.” James looks at me.
Ella runs happily beside me, saying, “Mom, you are beautiful. You are just like an angel!”
I look at myself in the mirror and wonder.
Why am I looking so undetermined? Didn’t I come to revenge? The day is finally coming, but why am I so sad?
Maybe we’ll never meet again. No, James and I will be officially against each other.
“I’ll take you to a wedding later.” James keeps his eyes fixed on me, as if he is missing someone.
He’s thinking about Carolina. Is he wondering whether he would be more excited if it is Carolina who is in that outfit?
I chuckle. What’s wrong with me? Am I jealous of myself?
“You’ll look even more beautiful with this on.” James walks to me and takes a box out of his pocket.
It’s a pair of ruby earrings, glimmering in a brilliant red color.
James bends to help me put on the studs.
I think I am happy at this moment.
James takes my hand and we look at each other in the mirror.
He wears a black suit which makes him look like a handsome gentleman.
I cuddle up to him.
“Let’s go.” James kisses on my forehead.
I get into the car with him.
Then James tells me, “I’m taking you to my mom and dad’s wedding later.”
“Huh?” I pretend to be surprised. “Your mother and father?”
“Yes.” James nods. I can’t tell how he feels like now. “I was an illegitimate child, and my mother and I could be recognized until the eldest son and the first lady are dead. Don’t you think it’s ridiculous?”
James laughs at himself. A touch of sadness flashes in his eyes.
“It will get better.” I comfort him. At this moment, I sincerely want to comfort him. Maybe the imperfect family in his upbringing has made him inferior and sad.
We are all alike, each unhappy in our own ways.
All the way I am nervous and pretend to look at the scenery. My palms are all sweaty.
James laughs, “Why are you so nervous? Don’t worry. It’ll be all right. I’m here.”
Fortunately, James’s nervousness isn’t the same as mine. I take a deep breath and say, “It’s okay.”
I look out of the window. I don’t know whether I look grim or fearful.
We stop by the Orlando family. I come here before because I wanted to tell on Isabel, but it turns out Noah always knows she is back, and wants her to come back. I don’t know why he would be so obsessive with Isabel. His wife and his eldest son are dead. Doesn’t he suspect anything of Isabel?
James helps me open the car door.
As I stand here watching, I think to myself, I’ve finally taken this step. I’ve waited for it a long time.
The Orlando mansion occupies half a hill, with ancient buildings, bridges, and pavilions.
I look at it carefully. It’s a pity that I didn’t take a good look at it last time.
James holds me to the side path and says, “It is a miracle that my ancestors could keep the house,” he says. “It almost got confiscated.”
There are not a lot of people on the way. Probably they are on the main road to meet the guests.
I can have a very good look at everything in front of me. It is really stunning.
The house built leaning the mountain is magnificent and grand, every detail showing its delicacy.
Holding my hand, James introduces me to this place, and says, “Would you like to be mistress of this place?”
“What?” I was focusing on the small pavilion, and I turn to James and ask him again, “What did you say?”
“Forget it. We’ll talk about it later.” James chuckles.
My heart is sinking bit by bit. Actually, I can hear what he said, but I didn’t hear it clear, feeling it is just an auditory hallucination.
Just take it as an auditory hallucination.
“Do you like it here?” James asks again.
I smile and say nothing.
“What’s the matter? James looks at me with tightening eyebrows.
“Let’s go. Show me your room.” I say.
“There’s a long way to go.” James sits down, and dusts the seat beside him and says, “Come and stay with me.”
James seems very lonely at this moment.
“I wondered a long time ago that wouldn’t it be nice to be the owner of the house one day? Because this is where my mother dreams of living, but now I’m not happy at all. It’s like I’m taking over someone else’s house.” James sighs, and finally laughs.
“Let’s go. It’s no use thinking so much.” James stands up.
When I am about to stand up, we hear a curse, “What did you say? How did the guy run away? What a bunch of fools!”
It’s Isabel.