Chapter 55 Secretly Intercepting Love Letters
My birthday's here. Ronan booked a table a day early at the same restaurant we went last time. I insisted because I adore the food and the backyard setup.
To celebrate turning twenty, I wore the magenta dress I got in San Francisco for New Year, paired with a cream coat. Lillian and Amelia helped curl my hair into big waves, tied it up high, and did my makeup.
"Jane, you're the purest fiery rose in the world," Lillian said dramatically.
"You have such an innocent face, but with makeup, you look so charming. Your wheat-colored skin with magenta is perfect. You'll turn heads."
"Stop exaggerating. You just want me to be happy on my birthday," I said, admiring myself in the mirror. I did look beautiful, with bright eyes, white teeth, and radiant skin, with a touch of allure.
Amelia put her arm around me and pushed me in front of the full-length mirror, "Don't underestimate yourself. Today, you're the most beautiful."
At twenty, I was indeed stunning.
Amelia added, "That idiot Daniel will regret losing you forever."
"Screw you! I'm doing just fine," I said.
Lillian chimed in, "Amelia's right. He'll regret it. I'll be watching."
"Can you stop mentioning Daniel? Are you planning for me to be stuck on him forever? We're long over, and there was never really anything between us. Why don't you believe that?"
"Alright, we believe you. Now, take your hands off your hips. Don't look like a teapot."
After getting ready, we headed out. The plan, set two days ago, was to hit the amusement park and the haunted house.
But as soon as we opened the door, we saw two tall figures standing there.
Brad looked annoyed, and Daniel seemed indifferent.
What was going on?
Brad had asked me a couple of days ago about my birthday plans. I told him I was going to the amusement park with classmates and then having a meal. Brad said he had nothing to do and could join us, and he'd treat me to lunch for my birthday.
We left the conversation halfway because my mom called me, and we never brought it up again. Anyway, Brad knew I was going out with classmates, and he said he'd join us. Running into Brad at the door was normal. But Daniel wasn't.
We hadn't talked about my birthday for three or four years. Given how much he disliked me, he couldn't possibly remember my birthday.
But seeing him in casual attire with Brad, it was clear he intended to join us.
I looked around warily. If Daniel was going, Zoe would probably go too. That woman was full of schemes, and I didn't want to spend my birthday being wary of her. I wanted simple fun.
Just thinking about Zoe's potential antics gave me a headache, making my birthday less enjoyable.
"Is the birthday girl ready? Let's go, I've warmed up the car," Brad said, rubbing my neck and ready to take me away.
"Is Daniel coming too?" I asked Brad. "I didn't invite him."
Daniel's face darkened at my words.
"It's just me. Zoe isn't back yet," Daniel quickly explained, clearly understanding my concern.
It seemed he was determined to go. Fine, let him come. I'd just keep my distance.
The car stopped in front of the amusement park, and we met up with the others who had arrived earlier. They were all former high school classmates. We had a great time in high school, and although we went our separate ways in college, we stayed in touch. If it weren't for my family's New Year trip, we would have gathered sooner, not waiting until today.
If there's any pure emotion in this world, it's the friendship from my youth.
We got out of the car first, and Brad went to find a parking spot.
I walked alongside Lillian and Amelia, with Daniel walking to my left, less than two steps away.
Daniel had been quiet the whole way, occasionally checking his phone. He was silent as if he wasn't there. Even now, walking beside me, he was as quiet as a breeze, almost non-existent.
As soon as we appeared, someone teased us, "Hey, Daniel and Jane are still together? When's the wedding?"
"Watch your mouth, or you'll regret it," Amelia said, almost poking the guy's forehead with her sharp finger.
The guy speaking was Louis Anderson, who had a younger brother named Jack Anderson.
Louis was a chubby kid in school, always failing gym class and often being singled out by the gym teacher to lose weight. He was even scolded to tears once. But he had a cheerful personality, always smiling, and everyone liked him.
Our classmates said he liked me, and some even claimed he wrote me a seven-page love letter, but I never received it. I just took those words as jokes.
After three years apart, Louis had shed his baby fat and turned into a handsome guy, no less attractive than Daniel, though still as cheeky.
"None of your business," Daniel said with hands in his pockets, glancing at Louis. His tall, thin frame looked a bit desolate in the cold wind.
"Daniel, playing it cool? I heard you kept the love letter I wrote to Jane. If it hasn't appreciated in value, can you return it to me? Holdin' onto it might mess up my chances of finding a wife. I don't wanna people thinkin' I, Louis, write love letters to guys."
Daniel's face changed instantly, his hands moving in his pockets. I was scared he might punch Louis, so I quickly stepped between them, "Louis, stop it. Daniel, did you intercept my love letter?"
Louis dared to say it publicly, which meant he really wrote me a letter back then, and someone did tell me about it.
As for why I didn't receive it, it turned out Daniel intercepted it.
Why would he intercept my letter? Was he crazy?
We had barely started the gathering, but an old issue had already come up, making everyone a bit awkward.
A group of classmates surrounded the three of us. We had all grown up together and knew each other's business, so there was nothing to hide.
Some of my closest friends, especially Lillian and Amelia, who knew about my history with Daniel, stood behind me and glared at him.
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