Chapter 3

When I got home,

Dad poked his head out of the kitchen. "Ashley, you're back? Tired today?"

I mumbled a noncommittal reply.

Just as I was about to go to my room, Mom eagerly grabbed my arm.

"Where are you going?"

Before I could answer, Mom playfully smacked my arm.

"Ashley, you're so scatterbrained! How could you forget such an important day?"

I stared at Mom blankly for a moment.

Before I could remember, Julian familiar walked through the front door, carrying a fruit basket.

Mom immediately let go of me and rushed to greet Julian with a smile.

It hit me then.

It was Julian's birthday.

That's why I'd chosen today to confess.

But now, I couldn't face him with any composure...

Julian acted as if nothing had happened, heading into the kitchen to help Dad.

I used the time to splash some water on my face, trying to look less like a mess.

When I came out, dinner and the cake were already on the table.

In the flickering candlelight, I looked at Julian's cool, noble profile and couldn't help but remember the intimate scene with Veronica.

Veronica was a total wild child.

She often bragged to us about all the crazy things she'd done with the guys she’d slept with.

...

"Julian," Dad suddenly said, his eyes a little red after a few drinks, "You and our Ashley are practically childhood sweethearts."

"Your parents have been gone for years now, and your mom and I, we really consider you like our own son..."

"You know that, right?"

I snapped out of my memories.

I looked up sharply at Dad.

Just as I was about to say something to interrupt him, Mom gently tapped my hand under the table and shook her head at me.

I heard Dad, usually so steady, speak to Julian with a trembling, uncertain voice:

"We've seen Ashley's admiration and affection for you with our own eyes."

"You're both adults now, and you'll be going to college together. Your uncle here hopes..."

Dad trailed off, then took another drink, as if to bolster his courage.

"I watched you grow up. Others... we just wouldn't trust them."

"You'll take good care of Ashley, won't you?"

The atmosphere suddenly froze.

Mom and Dad both looked at Julian with expectant eyes.

I could feel Mom's body trembling slightly.

Julian's expression, however, remained as calm and indifferent as ever.

His long fingers tapped lightly on his glass, a rhythmic, almost absentminded motion.

Just as I abruptly stood up, ready to diffuse the tension, I heard Julian murmur, "Mmm."

He lifted his eyes to meet Dad's, his voice quiet.

"I will."