Chapter 86 Sober
I was in a tough spot. How was I supposed to respond to that?
If I said yes, it might hurt Mindy's feelings. I didn't want to be like Zoe from back then, nor did I want her to be like I was before.
If I said no, it would make me uncomfortable.
After all, Louis was someone I wanted to give a chance to. He was my high school classmate, someone I'd grown up with, and he had liked me for many years. Encouraging Mindy to keep pursuing Louis would be insane and would hurt Louis's feelings too.
"Well, I think you need to make that decision for yourself. It's hard for me to say," I said, struggling but sincere.
"What's so hard to say? You don't like him, yet you're holding onto him. That's not fair." Mindy complained.
I was speechless.
I hadn't fallen for Louis yet, but that didn't mean I wouldn't in the future, right?
Besides, my agreeing to consider it meant I was ready to accept Louis. And the fact that he had someone as excellent as Mindy pursuing him made me feel insecure.
They said childhood friends couldn't compete with love at first sight, but for Louis, I was both a childhood friend and a love at first sight. Who knew what the outcome would be?
At least I could be sure that if Louis and I became a couple, I wouldn't tolerate him having Mindy as a childhood friend.
Not only was Mindy troubled, but I was also a bit troubled. What a mess.
The next day, I talked to Louis about this. At the end, I mentioned that childhood friends of the opposite sex were particularly dangerous in romantic relationships. Many couples were broken up by such friends. Louis was delighted, "Jane, you're finally jealous of me. All my years of unrequited love weren't in vain."
That evening, there was another party, full of lights, music, and the smell of alcohol.
It was too lively for me, so I habitually went out for some fresh air.
Outside the club's private room, there was a long and connected corridor, a secluded space. Leaning on the railing and breathing in the fresh air was much more comfortable than being inside.
When I returned, Louis and a friend of his were sitting on the sofa by the terrace door, talking about me, which stopped me in my tracks.
"Louis, are you serious about settling down?" His friend asked.
"Yeah, I've thought about it for many years." Louis replied.
"Do you think your love life will be easy with her background? Your father cares so much about your heir status. How could he allow you to marry an ordinary girl? People like us have our lives arranged. Love is a luxury for us."
Louis said, "I can't worry about that. My marriage is my own. I won't trade marriage and love for benefits."
His friend continued to ask, "What about Mindy? She's liked you for so many years, and you've ignored her. We all feel bad for her."
Louis was silent for half a minute before speaking again, "Love is between two people. This is my fault, and I'll find a way to make it up to her. But Jane's the one I love, and that won't change."
"Have you liked her for many years?"
Daniel replied, "Yes, since the day I started high school. I've wanted to give her everything I have. Now that I finally have a chance, I won't let go, even if it kills me."
"Jane is a great girl—talented, beautiful, well-mannered, and gentle. But she's too clear-headed and cold. Are you sure you can win her over?"
Daniel replied, "Honestly, I'm not sure. It's been over seven years. Jane has always been my dream, but as long as there's a glimmer of hope, I won't give up."
"Louis, no offense, but can you tell if your feelings are out of true love or just stubbornness?"
I couldn't hear Louis's response.
They got up and returned to the table, leaving me in the corridor for a long time.
Love between different social classes isn't simple. I naively thought courage would solve everything, but there were so many problems between Louis and me, almost all of them unsolvable.
When I got back, it wasn't even ten o'clock. I sat in the car, sulking and not wanting to talk.
Louis carefully observed my expression and asked why I was unhappy.
I didn't want to hide my thoughts from him, so I asked, "Louis, if your family doesn't agree with us, what will you do?"
Louis's grip on the steering wheel tightened, but his gaze was passionate and determined. He said, "Jane, as long as you give me enough confidence, I'll stick it out. I like you, and no one has the right to stop me."
That was a well-said statement.
If Louis didn't stick it out, it meant I didn't give him enough confidence. So, if we couldn't get past his family, it was actually my fault.
He was a businessman, after all. He said it perfectly.
If a couple had to communicate like this, calculating every word flawlessly, how could they be happy?
That person said I was clear-headed, but Louis was also very clear-headed.
Louis, he disappointed me a bit.
I was a bit confused now, not sure what my feelings for Louis were. I clearly wanted to get close to Louis and be with him, but he kept disappointing me, making me hesitant to make any promises.
"If one day your family makes you choose between being an heir and being with me, what will you do?" I continued to ask.
Louis's face turned serious. He focused on the road ahead. This time, it took him a full minute to answer, "I won't let that happen between us."
He hesitated, which meant he hadn't made a choice between me and being an heir. Or, more likely, he had already made a choice but didn't want to give up the other side.
After all, everyone hoped to control everything, but how many could actually do it?
My heart grew colder.
What truly chilled me was the Anderson family's party.
I didn't want to go initially, but later I was glad I did.
Louis told me two days in advance that his father was having a 55th birthday party and wanted me to accompany him.
Louis and I hadn't even confirmed our relationship, so I felt it was inappropriate and declined.
But Louis insisted, emphasizing that he just wanted me to be his date and wasn't forcing me. He persuaded me for a long time, and I didn't want to disappoint him, so I agreed.
If I wanted to develop feelings with Louis, I had to integrate into his world. I decided to take attending his father's birthday party as the first opportunity.
'It's just a birthday party. No matter how wealthy and powerful the Anderson family is, they wouldn't do anything to me, right?' I thought.
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