In the fifth round, Nick did not hold back. Among the people playing these games, he was by far the most skilled. Jojo and Isaiah struggled not because they could not win but because they were just not interested. If they wanted to win, they would be able to outwit their opponents easily. No surprise, Nick won the fifth round.His gaze locked onto Jojo, and he spontaneously challenged him, "Confess your feelings to Isabella with the most passionate words.""Are you looking for trouble?" Isabella responded, a little irritated. After all, she still believed that Jojo had a crush on someone else, and Nick purposely made it difficult for Jojo.Nick did not let up. He was worried that if Jojo did not confess now, he would never have the chance anymore. "Can't handle it, huh? If you don't want to do it, think about how the people who lost in the previous rounds would feel. Besides, when I lost games as a kid, I did whatever was asked of me."Isabella sighed.Wanting to use this game
Those words felt like a spell swirling in Jojo's mind. Even though he knew it was just a game, his heart found a moment of satisfaction.Isabella went straight to Isaiah after. "Isaiah, help me win the next game and dare Nick as I requested just now."Isaiah, accustomed to indulging her in these matters, agreed readily. "Alright."Nick protested, "What? You're cheating!"Isabella countered, "How am I cheating? In the game, when choosing a member for truth or dare, others can provide advice."Nick wanted to argue but realized her point was valid. He had no choice but to whisper to Isaiah, "I'm doing this for Isabella's happiness. You can't help her trick me, right?"Isaiah replied firmly, "She's my sister."Nick tried another approach. "Can't you go easy on me? Or is it that you'd rather see her with Luther than Jojo?" Of course not. Isaiah did not want that.Isaiah did not think Luther, who had disappeared for years without providing any response, could make Isabella happy. I
Isabella had it all figured out. If Nick really dared to have her and Jojo be a couple for an entire evening, she would call Nick's parents later. After all, in his parents' eyes, she was the perfect, obedient girl, and they would trust her more than Nick himself."I won't ask you guys to do any dares," Nick reassured them. He shifted his gaze to Jojo and asked, "Jojo, answer this: when you confessed to Isabella earlier, were those your most genuine feelings?"Jojo frowned.Isabella could not help but chime in, "That's a silly question, of course not.""I didn't ask you. I'm asking Jojo," Nick said, fixing his gaze on Jojo and hoping he would be brave.Isabella did not think there was anything worth asking about. Even though she did question the genuineness of Jojo's confessions as it was so sincere and moving, she had probed the matter earlier, and Nick's inquiry seemed unnecessary."Is that so?" Nick inquired once more.Jojo lied with a straight face, "It's not.""This has to
Isabella was stunned by Jojo's sudden confession, unable to find the words to reply to him. "Jojo..."Isabella had never considered that Jojo would have a crush on her. After all, their bond had always resembled that of close siblings."Would you consider giving us a chance to date?" Jojo continued to advocate for his cause, his eyes filled with earnest hope. "If, after trying, you still don't have feelings for me, I won't interfere with your future decisions.""I'm sorry," Isabella responded bluntly, not wanting to beat around the bushes. Jojo was not expecting her answer, and his heart stung ever so slightly. He forced a smile and spoke casually, "Is it because of Luther?""Mmhmm." Isabella nodded.Jojo asked, genuinely wanting to understand, "I've known you longer than he has and spent more time with you. Why did you choose him over me?" They said the one who came later in a relationship would be at a disadvantage. Yet, Jojo had met Isabella much earlier."Maybe it's a m
If it were anyone else confessing to Isabella, she would usually provide a straightforward but gentle rejection, expressing gratitude for their affection. After that, she would not feel much of a psychological burden. However, Jojo had been exceptionally kind to her since they were young, and rejecting him would weigh on her as well."Calling you a silly girl isn't too far off," Jojo teased and lightly pinched her nose. His tone remained affectionate as he said, "You took the joke seriously."With this statement, Isabella finally understood."Okay, I won't tease you anymore. One last question." Jojo managed to suppress his emotions, maintaining their gentle and sensitive demeanor, typical of an older brother.Isabella also steadied her emotions, saying, "Go ahead.""Can our relationship go back to how it used to be?" Jojo nervously asked.Isabella nodded, sharing her perspective as she said, "Of course, but I hope you can set aside your feelings for me. There are so many talent
The car continued moving ahead. Watching the vehicles go to and fro from them, Isabella suddenly had an idea, wanting to make amends to Jojo somehow."Jojo, do you have something you want or a wish you'd like to fulfill?" Jojo had something in mind. He really wanted to say, 'I want you. I want you to be my girlfriend. I want to be with you.'Nonetheless, Jojo knew that the current atmosphere was unsuitable for that. If he carried on like that, Isabella, being the pure-hearted person she was, would likely feel uneasy for days."Actually, there is one thing," Jojo came up with an excuse."What is it?""My dad wants either me or Ash to be heir to the Lloyd Group. I want to start my own business and not inherit the family business," Jojo said earnestly. "I'll help you!" Isabella offered."Really?" Jojo asked."Yes. I'll have this sorted out for you in a month at most," Isabella promised."Deal," Jojo agreed.Half an hour later, Jojo dropped Isabella off at her house. As she g
Isabella really made her way back home. Jojo saw her enter her house and returned to his car, still feeling the remnants of Isabella's hug around his waist. He leaned back in his seat, staring at the moonroof and across the starry night. Jojo seemed to have realized that being a 'brother-like figure' was not a bad thing after all. It meant he was like family, and he could openly support her.Ding!It was Nick, bombarding Jojo's phone with messages. After reading them, Jojo simply replied, [I told her.]Nick immediately called Jojo, sounding excited as he asked, "How did it go?""What do you think?" "Did she say yes?"Jojo remained quiet.Nick quickly caught on. "No, if she said yes, you wouldn't be so moody. Did she explain why she doesn't like you?"Jojo put the phone on the loudspeaker and tossed it to the side, showing little interest in discussing this with Nick. However, he had to admit that Nick had played some part in his decision. Without Nick's prodding, he might
Isaiah did not press the issue any further. He, as an outsider, would not understand how she felt, so he respected Isabella's choice. However, there was one more matter to address, Luther."Why are you looking at me like that?" Isabella was puzzled by his gaze."If, after a month, you and Luther haven't made any progress, come back. Don't stay there," Isaiah said, displaying his displeasure with those who disappeared and did not respond to messages. "Do you think you can win over the girl you like in a month? Pursuing someone is a long-term endeavor. You have to show them your true feelings before they can feel secure with you.""Are you blaming Jojo for not pursuing you?" Isaiah intentionally misinterpreted her meaning.Isabella gave him an exasperated look, showing her annoyance. "You should have recorded what you said just now and sent it to Mom and Dad so they can see how you're treating me." "Do you want me to show Luther the video of you from when you were little, sayin