Chapter 78 Seduce Me
"Wait, so I'm not a guy now?" Brad asked, looking a bit upset.
What was that about?
I stared at Brad, confused. Where did this come from? Back then, I was pretty sheltered by my parents and Brad, so I wasn't great at thinking for myself.
Hearing Brad, I thought, 'With your build, anyone can tell you're a guy. Why even ask?'
Brad continued, "Louis's family is something else. The way he grew up is beyond what you can imagine. Jane, I don't think love needs matching backgrounds, but getting into the Anderson family is different. Even if you get in, it won't be easy. Society has classes, and jumping too high can be tough."
I took Brad's words seriously.
My family was well-off for an average household. My parents had good jobs, and I was an only child, talented, pretty, graduated from a top school, and had a bright future. I had a lot going for me.
But the Andersons were a big deal in Regalia, and they'd been rising fast. Louis, the eldest grandson, was set to inherit the family business. His parents might want him to marry someone wealthy to secure his position.
Brad was right; the class gap was huge.
That's why I couldn't decide about Louis.
I didn't want to be a joke in their circle or lower myself for him.
I asked, "Brad, do you think I'm too ugly and dumb?"
Brad replied, "At the Northern Institute of the Arts, you're outstanding in both talent and looks."
I continued, "Then why has no guy ever pursued me? It makes me feel so crappy."
Brad just gave me a mysterious look and didn't answer.
I didn't remember when Brad left. When I woke up, the room was empty, with a faint scent of pine lingering.
It wasn't until I was chatting with Amelia in bed that night that I realized what Brad's question meant.
Over the years, I'd only held Brad's hand. But he always felt like an older brother, not a romantic partner.
'Did Brad mean something by that? Was he hinting at his feelings for me? No way. I must be overthinking. Brad could get any girl, but he wouldn't flirt with me. I'm like a sister to him,' I thought.
Amelia didn't come back. She said she was traveling with a classmate, but from the few photos she posted, it seemed like there was only one classmate, and he was a guy.
She had just finished showering, drying her hair while video chatting with me.
In the mirror, a man in a shirt and pants was sitting on the sofa, a laptop on his lap, frowning at something. He didn't seem as tall as Brad.
Amelia kept glancing at the mirror, smiling uncontrollably, her eyes full of affection.
Even Amelia was in a relationship.
Was I destined to be alone forever?
The next morning, I woke up to my phone ringing and saw our high school group chat blowing up.
The class president, who was rarely in town, suggested a lunch meetup for those in Sunhaven.
Brad dropped Daniel and me off at the restaurant and told us to call him when we were done.
Class reunions should be simple and fun, with everyone catching up and reminiscing.
But there were always a few who turned it into a bragging contest about their achievements and earnings.
If I'd known it would be like this, I wouldn't have come.
I slipped out to the terrace for some peace.
This was the same restaurant where Daniel first brought Zoe to meet his family.
Years had passed, and the decor had changed so much that if not for the name, I wouldn't have recognized it.
Just like I was still Jane, and he was still Daniel, but time had changed us. Without the memories, we wouldn't find our past selves.
The only thing I remembered about the restaurant was the small terrace.
Now, the terrace had a long cushioned bench, enough for four or five people.
Though small, it felt tranquil and otherworldly, as if the outside noise didn't exist. I liked it.
But sometimes, wanting peace is a luxury.
Barely ten minutes had passed when Daniel found me and sat beside me.
He was very close, tall and thin, with well-defined features and a hint of alcohol. His eyes were a bit hazy; he had clearly drunk a lot.
After nearly six years, this was the first time Daniel sat so close to me, close enough for me to smell his familiar scent.
Unfortunately, the fluttering feelings of the past had turned into calm indifference.
"It's too noisy inside." Daniel handed me a can of Sprite, smiling gently, looking peaceful.
I was always kind and never started conflicts. His calmness suggested we could coexist peacefully in this small space.
I took the Sprite but didn't open it. Brad had always forbidden me from drinking carbonated beverages, and over the years, I got used to it. I placed it beside me, "Do you need something?"
Daniel looked at me, then quickly looked away, staring at a small broken tile on the floor. After a while, he spoke, "After all these years, I owe you a genuine apology. Jane, don't stop me. Let me say everything, or it'll be too painful to keep inside. Every time I think about it, it hurts."
"Okay, go ahead." I agreed.
"What happened that year was my impulsiveness. I didn't consider you, and that was my fault. I wasn't targeting you; I just resented adults always talking about us together. That feeling of having your life arranged by others was awful. Over the years, I've wondered why I was so tough on you, but I still don't get it. After you left that day, my parents scolded me harshly. I had calmed down by then, realizing I was wrong, but I couldn't accept their reasoning. I didn't say anything, but inside, I was determined to break free from their control at any cost. I don't know what came over me. Looking back, I hate how stupid I was. I truly regret it. As my mom said, I deeply regret it. And those two times you got hurt, if I had been more careful, it could have been avoided. It was all my fault, causing you so much pain."
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