Chapter 148
"We'll just say you haven't lost your charm; you're still as attractive to the guys as ever," Ava Davis chimed in. Ava, equally stunning, had once been a contender for class beauty alongside Caroline. While Caroline was indifferent to the title, Ava cared deeply. Today, Caroline's appearance once again drew admiration, intensifying Ava's jealousy.
Faced with Ava's provocation, Caroline wisely chose to avoid confrontation, lest a verbal spat ruin the reunion's joy.
Caroline smiled and said, "It seems our male classmates are lacking some motherly love. Seeing someone as old and plain as me must make them feel at home."
Her self-deprecation immediately drew laughter from the surrounding girls, easing much of the tension.
The tension eased, and one of the classmates curiously asked,"Caroline, where have you been all these years?"
"I gave birth to two little lives and then busy raising them. Time just slipped away. Perhaps this is why I have become so maternal," Caroline said truthfully, though her classmates thought she was joking, leading to a burst of laughter. To them, she was still the vibrant girl they remembered.
After Caroline's self-deprecation, the girls' hostility lessened significantly.
As everyone chatted and laughed, a new guest arrived, instantly capturing the girls' attention at the door.
A tall, good-looking man strode in, clad in a crisp white shirt paired with a well-tailored suit. Adorned with a luxury watch on his wrist and a BMW key logo in hand, he exuded an air of success. His confident demeanor spoke volumes about his prosperity.
His looks and status piqued the girls' interest even more, and they flocked to him just as the boys had done when Caroline first arrived. Only Sarah and Caroline remained seated.
Sarah teased, "Your old flame is here. Aren't you going to greet him?"
"Stop making things up."
"He used to sit next to you and even carved 'I like you' on the desk. The whole class knew about it. How is he not your old flame?" Sarah revealed an old secret.
Caroline quickly cautioned, "He just carved 'like,' without specifying who. How does that make him my old flame? Stop making baseless claims; he's clearly popular, linking me to him is just asking for trouble!".
"Look, he's coming this way." Just as Sarah said, Joseph broke through the crowd of girls and headed straight for Caroline. Trouble was brewing.
Caroline silently prayed he was going to Sarah to chat. "Please, don't talk to me first. Don't put me in an awkward spot. I'll even transfer you a large sum of money afterward!" Her prayers went unanswered as Joseph approached.
"Carol, long time no see." He called her by her nickname directly.
Everyone's eyes were on them, memories flooding back. Joseph had once passed Caroline a note in high school, not a traditional love letter but full of affection:[Encountering you exceeds all the beauty in the world.]
Seeing Joseph again after so many years, that line resurfaced in her mind.
Caroline maintained a calm and polite demeanor. "Hello, it's been a long time."
However, Joseph seemed unsatisfied with a simple greeting. He opened his arms, intending to hug Caroline. In such a setting, a hug after a long separation was not inappropriate, and Caroline couldn't refuse. Refusing would seem deliberate.
So, she pretended to be relaxed and reluctantly gave Joseph a light hug. However, Joseph didn't let go immediately. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Encountering you exceeds all the beauty in the world."
He remembered that line too!
At that moment, Caroline felt a resurgence of the youthful emotions she had long suppressed. He had always been the protagonist of her teenage fantasies.
But soon, Caroline felt uneasy as Joseph held her tightly, his closeness crossing normal boundaries.
A polite hug was acceptable, but a prolonged one was inappropriate. Caroline tried to break free, but Joseph's grip was too strong.
At this moment, Ava, holding her phone, took a series of close-up shots of them. "Caroline, I heard you became an actress. Are you putting on a show even at a class reunion? Do you need me to post these photos online to stir up some buzz?" Her words were full of provocation.
Caroline grew anxious and struggled harder. "Stop it! If you keep this up, I'm really leaving!"
Instead of letting go, Joseph held Caroline even tighter.
Caroline, now furious, didn't hesitate to stomp on his foot!
Joseph, clearly not expecting this, finally let go.
The surrounding male classmates cheered Caroline's boldness.
"Carol, Why are you reacting so strongly?"
"Joseph, stop calling me Carol. We're not that close," Caroline responded coldly.
After years apart, Joseph's abruptness left Caroline thoroughly disappointed.
Whether he truly liked her or not, she found his behavior excessive.
All affection should be built on respect. Even in the name of love, one must understand boundaries.
Seeing Joseph rejected, the other guys were pleased, cheering loudly.
Sensing the tension, Sarah quickly intervened, "Everyone, take a seat. Let's catch up on old times."
Caroline was the first to sit down, and the guys immediately surrounded her, trying to get close. To avoid further trouble, Caroline chose to sit between two girls.
During the conversation, it was revealed that Joseph had organized the reunion and covered all the expenses.
Faced with the wealthy and handsome Joseph, the girls eagerly inquired about his job and marital status.
Joseph shared that he worked at a well-known company and was single, never having had a girlfriend.
The girls were overjoyed, many asking for his Facebook.
Only Caroline remained indifferent, neither engaging in conversation nor asking for his contact information.
The reunion seemed less about reminiscing and more about showing off and subtle competition.
Caroline found it dull and wanted to leave early.
Joseph stood up and said, "I'll take you home."
Under the envious gazes of the other girls, Caroline quickly declined, "No need."
"I have something to tell you," Joseph insisted gently.
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