Chapter 108 Show
A new message dinged on my phone: [Jane, good afternoon. Can't wait for you to make my dreams come true.]
My face got warm, and my heart fluttered.
Brad wasn't just a master painter; he was also a pro at wooing women. His direct and concise words made someone like me, who'd never dated, fall for him completely.
After thinking it over, I decided to text Helen. For something this big, I wanted my parents' input.
Me: [Helen, is it normal to date a guy six years older?]
Helen replied quickly: [Older men are normal, but older women aren't recommended.]
That's my rational Ronan, always considering both sides.
Me: [If, and I mean if, it's my ex's bro, is that okay?]
Helen took two minutes to reply, probably mulling it over: [Tell me, what happened between you and Brad that I don't know about?]
My temple throbbed. Busted.
Helen was as sharp as ever; no way I could outsmart her.
Me: [Brad asked me out. Helen, can Brad be my boyfriend?]
This time, the wait was longer. Helen must've been discussing it with my dad. After ten minutes, just as I was about to doze off, a message dinged: [In principle, given past experiences, I don't want you involved with the Pitt family again. But love is your own choice. I can only advise, not dictate your life. Follow your heart. Jane, I just want you to be safe and happy. Whoever it is, they must ensure that.]
Me: [Got it, thanks, Mom.]
This year's welcome party was delayed by over a month for various reasons.
The welcome party was a big deal for new students at every school. The Northern Institute of the Arts always had innovative and highly praised parties. I was curious about National Capital University's version.
After class that day, a few boys and girls in school uniforms stopped me at the door. Two girls enthusiastically pulled me along, saying they were inviting me to a small meeting.
I admired these girls; even though it was our first meeting, they acted like old friends, holding my hand.
With only one class in the afternoon, there was no point in going back to the apartment. Plus, the sincere look in the junior girls' eyes made it hard to refuse, so I went with them.
Turns out, it was a prep meeting for the welcome party. Besides me, Daniel and a few other grad students were there.
The young students were buzzing with excitement. Over the years, I'd grown to prefer quiet and found it hard to enjoy such lively events. Watching was fine, but participating felt unnecessary.
The tight schedule of first-year grad courses was one reason. I couldn't afford to lose credits. Plus, I was prepping for a competition the professor signed me up for, and there were two new projects where the professor wanted me to be the organizer. I had no time or energy to participate.
After listening for a bit, I wanted to leave. A sophomore girl, Rachel Thomas, said that as first-year grad students, we were technically new students too, and as seniors, we should support them.
Rachel was young and pretty, with dimples that made her smile sweet.
While talking to me, she kept glancing at Daniel.
Following her gaze, I saw Daniel sitting in a corner, casually leaning back, occasionally checking his phone. He had a faint smile, and his features were like a painting—clear and elegant.
He suddenly laughed at something on his phone, his eyes sparkling with joy.
Daniel's looks always caught the attention of young girls. His cool and aloof demeanor naturally stirred their hearts.
I watched Rachel's infatuated gaze with interest.
Rachel noticed my gaze and blushed, hiding her face between her arms.
Daniel seemed oblivious, still focused on his phone, as if the lively atmosphere had nothing to do with him.
After the performance direction was set, Rachel insisted that the grad school must put on a show, performed by those present.
Hearing this, several students who came with us quickly left, despite the junior girl's persuasion.
In the meeting room, only Daniel and I were left from the grad school.
Rachel kept asking us to represent the first-year grad students with a performance, even if it was just a small poetry reading or a children's song.
Unable to refuse, I reluctantly agreed to do a musical prose piece.
I thought that was settled. But Daniel suddenly spoke, "A welcome party is an annual feast and shouldn't be taken lightly. How about we team up? I'll play the piano, and you pick a song."
Before I could refuse, Rachel started cheering, clapping enthusiastically, and praising our cooperation.
The atmosphere was set, and since I wasn't good at refusing, I accepted. It was just a song, no big deal. During gatherings, we sang in Karaoke Bars until midnight, and there were a few songs I nailed. I could just pick one of those.
Although I had many concerns about collaborating with Daniel and felt resistant, it was just a performance. Once it was over, everything would return to normal.
If Zoe made a fuss, I could use that as an excuse to quit and focus on my painting.
Though I agreed, I felt uncomfortable. 'Why is it that in this relationship, Daniel is always in the dominant position, and I have to cooperate with him?'
It was the same five years ago, and it was the same now.
A faint irritation stirred in my heart, and the suppressed resistance and aversion began to surface.
While I was feeling agitated, Daniel, under the pretext of discussing the song, sat next to me, opened his phone, and asked me to choose a song.
"How about this one? It's a new song, and it feels great. Listen to it," he said, pulling out an earbud to put in my ear, naturally as if we were still the same as before we were eighteen.
I uncomfortably dodged, furrowed my brows, and gave him a cold glance. "I'm wearing Bluetooth earphones."
His hand paused in mid-air, his face showing unmistakable awkwardness.
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