In my second year studying in England, I ran into one of Camden’s former friends on a foreign street.
He insisted on dragging me out for dinner.
Naturally, Camden came up during our conversation.
“I heard his big brother was originally going to send him abroad.”
“Don’t know what happened, but he kept him in the country instead.”
“He’s matured a lot now, seems to have developed some ambition too.”
My friend looked at me tentatively: “He apparently hasn’t dated anyone new since.”
“At one of our gatherings, someone casually mentioned you, and the look in his eyes… damn.”
My friend couldn’t help but sigh softly.
I just smiled and didn’t respond.
Actually, I didn’t really like Camden at first.
Maybe it was prejudice from the start.
I’d always been wary of these privileged rich kids.
Later he was really good to me.
I was young then, and when someone like that–a golden boy–humbles himself in front of you, it’s natural to feel
something.
But before I could do anything stupid, reality slapped me awake.
“But he and his big brother seem pretty estranged now.”
My hand holding the cup trembled slightly.
“His big brother was supposedly getting engaged this year, but that fell through too.”
“That rumored fiancée ended up getting engaged to someone else.”
I slowly set down my cup and stood up: “I still have class. Let’s catch up another time.”
“Harper.”
My friend got up to walk me out.
He still couldn’t help asking: “Is there really no chance between you and Camden?”
“Camden was pretty wild back then, I’ll give you that.”
“But from what I know, you two must have had some misunderstanding. He really didn’t sleep with that girl…”
I frowned and cut him off: “Can you please stop bringing him up?”
“…Alright.”
“Thanks for dinner today.”
“Hey, don’t be so formal with me.”
“Well, see you later then.”
“Harper, when are you coming back home for a visit?”
“Everyone really misses you.”
“We’ll see.”
I smiled and waved at him, pulled my coat tighter, and walked into the evening breeze.
A black car drove past me.
My steps suddenly paused.
But the car didn’t stop for even a moment, quickly speeding ahead.
I looked down, smiled, and shook my head.
I kept walking.
While waiting for the traffic light, the wind picked up a bit, so I raised my hand to fix my messy hair.
As I tucked the strands behind my ear, I suddenly heard someone calling my name from behind.
“Hey, Harper.”
I instinctively turned around.
And looked straight into a pair of dark, profound eyes.
(The End)
After everything that had happened, I couldn’t immediately accept Jasper Reed.
But I believed time would heal everything.
“Ivy, how about we go to the Maldives in a few days to clear our heads?”
Jasper Reed carefully made the suggestion.
He seemed terrified I might divorce him, constantly trying to make me happy.
I just shook my head, and I could see the disappointment in his eyes.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Let’s skip the Maldives. How about we take wedding photos instead? We never did that before.”
Jasper Reed’s eyes lit up as he pulled me into his arms.
(The End)
