Chapter 50: Kiss, Please
JULIA
Evan and I sat at the corner, half–hidden from the bustling party.
Andy looked visibly happier now, his laughter ringing out in the venue as he ran around with his classmates.
“He seems like a great boy,” Evan muttered with a faint smile.
“He is,” I said with conviction. “He truly is.”
The two of us were silent for a moment before Evan cleared his throat.
“I wasn’t sure what he likes,” he admitted. “So, I just brought this monster plushie.”
My eyes widened. “Evander,” I said, not forgetting to call him by his government name. “These are designer plushies ”
He pursed his lips. “I told Rui to get me what kids like.”
I shook my head. “I swear, you really don’t know a thing about children. These are collectibles. Do you even know how much these cost?” I asked.
He didn’t answer.
“Rui,” he muttered, shaking his head.
“Funnily enough, he doesn’t like these things. He likes cars as you can see by the theme of the party,” I glanced at him, noting how his brow furrowed slightly at my words. “But what would you know? You’ve never been here, have you?”
His lips pressed into a thin line.
“Was it tough?” he asked after a pause. “Raising him and all?”
I turned to him with amusement, a soft chuckle escaping my lips.
“Do you really want me to answer that question?”
He flinched, causing me to become even more amused. But then, he leaned forward, taking me by surprise.
“You hid it from me?”
I couldn’t help but scoff. One thing I won’t let him do was twist the story.
“I didn’t hide it,” I snapped. “I tried to tell you.”
His mouth opened, ready to argue, but I didn’t give him the chance. “That night. When you broke up with me. I was supposed to tell you, but you didn’t even give me the chance to.”
His face became pale, probably recalling the night he broke up with me. I had been so happy to tell him then, but he broke my heart into a million pieces.
“And before you say I didn’t try again…I did,” I softly added
His eyes met mine, softening slightly as he saw the pain within my gaze.
“It was a week after you broke up with me…”
–
Flashback –
13
Chapter 50: Kiss, Please
+25 BONUS
The evening was chilly, making me pull my jacket closer around my body. I stood at the door of Evan’s family marision, my hands trembling from the cold and from my nerves. Fortunately, the guard knew who I was, so he let me in.
“Evan,” I muttered, gazing up at the gigantic house.
He was the one who broke up with me, but I still had to tell him.
It has only been a week, but I already felt miserable. I needed him with me. I needed Evan.
My heart raced as I pressed the doorbell.
The doors opened, but it wasn’t Evan who answered.
Cindy, his mother, stepped into the light with a menacing expression.
She looked immaculate in her silk nightgown and diamond–cladded neck. Her sharp eyes scanned me from head to toe before her lips curled in disdain.
“What are you doing here?” she spat.
“Good evening, Ma’am,” I said, bowing my head in respect. “Can I please talk with Evan?” I asked, sounding desperate.
She crossed her arms, blocking the doorway. “You don’t belong here.”
“Please,” I said, stepping forward. “It’s important.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Important? The only thing important is that you stay away from my son.
“Please,” I pleaded once more. “I really need to talk to him just a minute. I won’t be here for longer.”
“Julia, give it up,” she snapped, causing me to gasp. Her glare became even icier than the cold night.
Then, she stepped forward, causing me to stumble onto the ground. I instinctively cradled my stomach, wincing when I felt the fall’s impact on my tailbone.
She didn’t help me and continued on with her speech as she looked down.
“You have trapped him for years, but that has changed now You’re nothing, Julia. Nothing but a phase he’s already outgrown.”
My vision blurred with tears, but I refused to back down. “Please,” I whispered. “Just let me talk to him.”
She looked at me as though I were dirt beneath her heel. “He doesn’t want to see you,” she said finally. “And frankly, this is exactly what you deserve.”
The door slammed shut in my face, leaving me lying alone in the cold.
End of Flashback –
I blinked, forcing the memory away. “So I moved in with Sarah,” I said, my voice quiet now. “In her state. I raised Andy there.”
Evan looked like he’d been punched in the gut. His lips parted, but no words came out. His usually composed expression was crumbling, regret seen on every line of his face.
His eyes grew glassy, and for a moment, I thought he mightery. But before he could say anything, a burst of laughter from the party drew both of our attention.
Chapter 50: Kiss, Please
+25 BONUS
Sarah was now hosting some sort of game.
Her voice carried over the crowd as she explained the rules of “Birthday Boy Says,” a playful twist on ” Says.”
“Simon
It was supposedly a game where Andy, the birthday boy, gets to request everything he wanted from the guests. It was most likely Sarah’s tactic to milk some money from the wealthy guests.
“What is she doing?” I murmured, wiping the stray tears from my eyes. Evan still hadn’t said anything, so I reckoned I gave him some time to process everything.
“Now,” Sarah said, placing the microphone in front of Andy’s lips.
“What does the birthday boy want? Anything you say will be the law for today. So, go ahead and ask any of our guests to do what you want them to do!” she excitedly added.
Andy glanced around the venue before his eyes landed on the two of us.
“I want…” he began. “I want my parents to kiss.”
