Chapter 2

On the very first day of our relationship, I told Julian that I had a very beautiful, very sophisticated cousin. She loved adding my boyfriends on SnapChat, and if she ever added him, he absolutely shouldn't accept.

Julian jokingly asked, "Afraid I'll fall for her?"

I smiled faintly. "Afraid you'll be bewitched and come to a terrible end. Every boyfriend I've had has ended up that way."

He hugged me close, comforting me for a long time. "Then I definitely won't. I'm only marrying you, Cassie."

With my warning, when Zara first tried to add him, he kept refusing.

He even complained to me a few times. "Your cousin, Zara, is so relentless. She's tried adding me with like, ten different SnapChat accounts now."

I kissed his cheek as a reward. "You have to stay strong. Don't give in just because she's a charmer."

He didn't miss a beat, rejecting another account, then turned to me.

"My parents want to have dinner with you. They said we've been dating for six months, and you still haven't shown your face. They've heard so much about how much I like you."

I paused, then stroked his head. "Let's wait a bit. I'm pretty busy right now. After this quarter, I'll treat your parents to dinner."

"Treat them? No way. Just your presence will make them ecstatic! We'll eat at my family's hotel!"

Maybe because she still hadn't added Julian on SnapChat, Zara got a little impatient. She suggested staying at my rental for a while.

Of course, I wouldn't agree, but my mom was so eager to show off the new apartment Julian had gotten for me that she couldn't wait to give Zara the address.

So, when I got home from work, Julian and Zara were sitting on the sofa, phones in hand, one on each side.

Julian pulled me into the bedroom, sounding annoyed. "I really didn't engage with her. Why is she at my place?"

I said nonchalantly, "Mom probably gave her the address. That's just how she is. Just ignore her."

He raised his hand to swear to God, but I felt a little uncomfortable. My mind kept replaying them sitting on the couch.

Julian wouldn't, would he? I worked so hard for half a year to get him, he wouldn't be won over in just one night, would he?

I was still a little anxious. My lack of self-confidence was one thing, but I also had no idea how long Julian would last.