Chapter 58 Bracelet
'I already said it was a mistake, not on purpose. I'm a girl and I didn't freak out, Brad. Why are you acting like you were forced? It was just an accidental kiss, why are you acting like a total drama queen?' I thought.
"Is a first kiss such a big deal? It was my first kiss too, so we're even. Now get up, someone might come in." Before I could finish, a hidden speaker announced, "The prince successfully kissed the princess awake. In the next scene, the prince carries the princess out of the palace."
I thought, 'How does the person on the speaker know it's time for the next scene? Is the whole game being monitored? This is so embarrassing!'
Brad turned around and reached out his hand. I was so scared I moved to the farthest corner of the bed. "Brad, you don't need to carry me. I can walk out by myself."
"According to the script, it has to be a princess carry. Walking out will result in game failure," the annoying voice sounded again.
'Does that mean the staff can hear everything we say? Did the whole world just see that accidental kiss? What a terrible game, no privacy at all.' I thought.
I felt my face heating up again.
'What a lousy script, it even requires a princess carry. If I had known it would be this troublesome, I wouldn't have played. What should I do? Let Brad carry me or not? Carry me? But my dad hasn't carried me since I was a kid. Not carry me? If I cause the game to fail, wouldn't I be the culprit? This is such a tough decision. Even though he's my brother, kissing and carrying each other doesn't fit our characters.'
I was in a dilemma when Brad suddenly leaned in and said in his low, magnetic voice, "Jane, it's just a game."
Easy for him to say.
Even if it was just a game, it felt like I was the one losing out here.
In the end, I couldn't go against my conscience. I didn't want to ruin the game for everyone, so I reluctantly let Brad carry me out.
When Brad slipped his arm under my neck, I mischievously thought he probably couldn't carry me with my height and weight.
If that happened, it wouldn't be my fault if the game failed.
However, I only felt a moment of dizziness before I found myself securely in Brad's arms.
Brad's shoulders were broad, his embrace was dry and warm, and he smelled like wood. The cotton fabric of his shirt felt very comfortable against my face.
As we exited the princess's chamber, the king and queen were waiting at the door with mischievous smiles.
In the open space nearby, Chef Louis was raising his hand, about to slap the child worker Daniel.
Although the game tried to stay true to the storyline, slapping someone involved personal dignity. It was best not to actually hit someone.
Moreover, everyone had seen the argument between Louis and Daniel today. If Louis hit him, even if it was for the storyline, it would be seen as a personal grudge, and their beef would be set in stone.
We were all classmates having fun together; there was no deep-seated hatred that would justify such animosity.
Brad also noticed their standoff, his expression unreadable.
"The prince successfully kissed the princess awake. The game is now over."
Everyone jumped up and cheered, and Louis never raised his hand.
Louis did alright.
I felt relieved and checked my watch. It was 11:30, time for lunch.
There was a restaurant across from the amusement park. Brad said the food was delicious, and he had already reserved a table before the game started. After the game, we all headed there for lunch.
The food at the restaurant was fantastic, and everyone ate heartily.
Lillian gave me a voice-activated music box, Amelia gifted me a handmade red plaid scarf, and Louis handed me a piece of homemade drawing paper with a faint fragrance.
When it was Daniel's turn, he pulled out a red velvet box from his pocket. It felt heavy, and I thought it was jewelry, which I instinctively didn't want to accept.
But when I opened it in front of everyone, it wasn't jewelry—it was a portrait of me.
In the portrait, I was sitting on the steps with a big backpack, looking up with eyes full of joy.
Daniel had drawn me before I turned eighteen, probably looking at him playing basketball on the court.
Unaware of the truth, our classmates laughed and said he had captured my likeness well, reminding them of my younger self.
I felt a surge of irritation. 'What is Daniel up to? He's been acting strange these past few days. Is he going crazy missing Zoe? Daniel and I are completely innocent, so what's his purpose in doing things that could be misunderstood? And a portrait? I might accept it from anyone else and even say thanks, but from Daniel, it only makes me feel resistant and annoyed. Back then, when I looked up to you, you treated me like trash. Now that I've moved on, you bring up our past. What's the point? What does Daniel hope to achieve with these confusing actions? It's really frustrating.'
I was contemplating whether to return the portrait when Brad took it, rolled it up, put it back in the velvet box, and slipped it into his jacket pocket. "It's well-drawn. I'll hold onto it for you. Here is my gift to you. Open it and see if you like it."
Brad handed me another velvet box, this one purple-red and square-shaped, tied with a small pink bow.
"Wow, the box is so pretty. An artist's taste is really different. What's inside? Open it and let us see."
Everyone except Daniel clamored to see the gift inside the box.
I glanced at Brad, who smiled encouragingly at me.
I gently lifted the lid, revealing a sparkling pink diamond bracelet. The delicate chain had small purple daisies spaced along it, exquisitely crafted and beautifully designed. It was stunning.
"Do you like it?" Brad's voice, smooth and intoxicating like fine wine, sounded in my ear.
"Yes, I like it, but isn't it too expensive?" I had always liked simple designs that satisfied my eternal girlish heart. The small bracelet perfectly matched my taste and made me very happy.
I genuinely liked it; it was probably the best birthday gift I received today.
"It's not expensive. The diamonds are synthetic, and I designed the style. As long as you like it."
Brad even designed the gift himself!
Amelia took the bracelet and tried it on my wrist, lifting my hand for everyone to admire. "It's so beautiful, and it suits Jane perfectly."
The bracelet's color was also very light, and it looked especially good on my wrist.
I shook my wrist, making the tiny diamonds sparkle in the sunlight.
"But..."
"But what? Do you want me to help you put it on?" Brad asked softly.
"Yes." I replied.
His warm fingers brushed against my wrist, sending a tingling sensation through me, stirring a strange feeling in my heart.
Amelia, sitting next to me, had a mysterious look on her face ever since she saw the bracelet. She wasn't eating, just watching Brad and me like a mental patient, making me a bit puzzled.
"Aren't you hungry? Eat up." I nudged her shoulder.
Amelia leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Do you know what a bracelet means?"
A bracelet had a meaning?
I honestly shook my head. "No, I don't."
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