Back then, our neighbors always seemed so envious of my dad's aquarium. Hence, I assumed his tank was one of the best. I used to brag about it to friends. I even invited them over so they could admire it.For the longest time, "the aquarium at Luna's" would always be mentioned whenever they spoke to their parents.However, after seeing the tank today, I came to the realization that there were too many things that I had yet to come across in this world. I didn't think such a grand aquarium existed. In front of the massive tank, my height of five foot five seemed relatively small. I looked up to admire a violet-colored fish. Its dress-like tail shimmered with its every movement and looked extremely beautiful. I could never get tired of watching beautiful things. I was incredibly entranced by the sight before someone let out a stifled laugh. Then, they patted my shoulder and asked, "What are you staring at?"I turned around and saw Helen. Matthew stood behind her, donning a full bl
I had turned on live location sharing. If he wanted to meet me, he'd be able to find me. I placed myself in a location where he could easily spot me. Once he did, his bright eyes would lock onto mine, and he'd flash me a delighted smile.What I needed to do was just to stay put and wait for a miracle to happen.I had a nagging feeling that he would appear. It was my birthday, and we had a promise—he said he wouldn't miss a single one of them.I didn't know how long I sat waiting. My eyes were dry and tired from staring at the door. The sky grew dark, and Colin still hadn't shown up.I felt upset and disappointed. I remembered his promise like it was yesterday, but it seemed like he was breaking it this year.I took out my phone. My parents had each sent me a message wishing me a happy birthday. Zara and Queenie did the same. I even received a lengthy message from Winston, but I ignored it.Hannah sent me an angry emoji before following up with a "Happy birthday". Then, she remind
The bigwigs started to take me seriously after hearing Professor King's praise and the Tudor style's undeniable impact. They each praised me for my accomplishments at such a young age. It was astonishing for them—how the young generation was surpassing the older one.Of course, I didn't take their praise at face value. Every word they said was influenced by the professor's standing. Professor King asked me to show respect to the seniors present by toasting each of them individually. I wasn't feeling particularly happy and didn't feel like drinking. But I couldn't disobey the professor, so I picked up my glass and gave a toast to each person. The opportunity to toast these bigwigs might seem small. But I actually understood that it wasn't an opportunity anyone could have. If not for Professor King, it would likely take me ten years to earn such an honor.He was doing everything he could to pave the way for me. It was a favor that no one could ask for, and I was immensely grateful
I knew that the person who arranged all of this had to be him. Could it be that the person I waited so long for at the club had actually been here, waiting for my return all along?Walking along the narrow path, tears that I had been holding back for so long finally streamed down my face. The emotions I had been suppressing for so long suddenly burst forth uncontrollably at that moment. All the unspoken longing, the unexpressed love, and the sorrow of not being able to embrace transformed into tears, flowing freely.I desperately wanted him to appear before me. I wanted him to be standing amidst the flowers and smiling at me. His eyes would sparkle, and his gaze would fall warmly upon me. He would be looking at me with tears in his eyes.I would rush and throw myself into his arms without hesitation. I could imagine hugging his slim waist, feeling the contours of his abs, and basking in his passionate love.As I walked further into the room, I saw a life-sized portrait of myself
No other man in this world would ever put so much effort into celebrating my birthday. My dad loved me dearly, but his attention and effort were always focused on my mom. Only Colin had a heart full of love solely for me.He gave me an unforgettable birthday in his own unique way, filled with warmth and romance. He knew I was here, and he came to see me. Even though he couldn't hug me in person, I could feel his love and devotion in every flower and every molecule of air.A warm current surged through my heart, spreading joy and comfort. On this particular day, I was filled with happiness and gratitude.Pulling out my phone, I captured the opulence of the room with a single click and posted the photo on social media. My caption was a simple but heartfelt, "Thank you, my love!"This time, I didn't restrict the post to be visible only to Colin. I wanted to share my happiness with everyone and let them know that I was deeply loved.I wanted to make it clear that the man who loved m
Yesterday, I was so caught up in the moment and my happiness that I didn't think much about it. But today, as I looked at the countless roses, I felt a pang of guilt and regret.Flowers were perishable items, not necessities. Their purpose was to add beauty to life and not be wasted. I couldn't help but wonder how much all these roses cost.A single bouquet would have been enough to express his feelings, and I couldn't understand why Colin would spend so much.After all, Colin had promised to be frugal. We were supposed to save up while we were young so that we could find a place to settle down. Yet here he was, splurging his money on flowers. Men could be so impractical sometimes.Not only was I regretful, but I was also a bit anxious.Last night, I posted that provocative message in a moment of heated emotion. There was no way Jasmine missed it.While she couldn't confront me directly, being the cunning and manipulative woman she was, she was definitely planning something behin
It was a meaningful celebration that fostered an atmosphere of liveliness as professionals from diverse fields engaged in animated conversations.I didn't enjoy such environments. After telling Helen, I wandered around the club alone and quickly found a quiet corner to hide in. There, I opened my phone and started studying the materials I had photographed in detail.This particular spot seemed to be the most remote within the club. It was seldom visited by patrons or staff alike. For a good half hour, I sat undisturbed without encountering even a passing waiter.Behind me loomed a sizable tree, its thick branches drooping low to provide ample concealment. Ensconced in this nook, I remained invisible to the rest of the partygoers.Nico proved himself a genius in the industry. Despite the laboratory being established just a month prior, he had already proposed several formulas, awaiting only the gathering of ingredients for testing.One of these formulas utilized a combination of pl
I breathed a sigh of relief, my heart still pounding from the shock. Stumbling upon such a colossal secret by chance… It was a blessing that no one else knew, or I could have ended up silenced for good.It seemed that the elite circles were rife with secrets and shady dealings. Surviving in their world wouldn't be easy. I was glad I came from an ordinary family. With my level of social intelligence, I'd probably be eaten alive if I were to mingle in the aforementioned circle.With both individuals gone, my mind was too unsettled to continue reading. To avoid overhearing any more dangerous secrets, I put away my phone and started wandering around.The club's layout was truly distinctive, resembling a labyrinth of winding corridors. Each turn was a mystery, and the full extent of the path remained hidden until the journey's end.Both events took place on the ground floor. As I looked up at the varied lights above, an inexplicable urge to explore the upper levels stirred within me.