5Damn it!I started my acting immediately. I staggered toward Austin and lisped, "You haven't left yet..."He stared at me without saying a word, and the scene was very embarrassing.Fortunately, I was thick-skinned enough to pretend to be drunk. I leaned against Austin and muttered something inexplicable."Are you worried about me?"I knew the answer was not."Sure enough, you care about me..."It was getting weirder."Do you have a crush on me?"What was I talking about?Unexpectedly, Austin didn't push me away. He stood straight like a sculpture, letting me lean against him.I didn't want to know whether he had figured that I was pretending to be drunk or not. I looked at him and asked aggrievedly, "I have put on exquisite makeup today. Do you think I look good?"Austin's eyes lowered as he suddenly reached out and pinched my cheeks.I was so shocked by his sudden movement that I forgot to react and let him pinch my face at his will.He stared at me and chuckled, "Ug
9For adults, it was easy to forget someone.Even though I was interested in Austin before, I quickly forgot about him out of my busy life and work.During this period, Chelsea asked me about it. [How are you and my brother doing?]Me: [What do you mean?]Chelsea: [Don't play dumb. What happened?]I could even imagine her gossiping over the phone.I pursed my lips [I give up.]Chelsea: [What?]Chelsea: [Is my brother so difficult to deal with? Even you failed?]Ignoring her tease, I turned to look through the WhatsApp of Austin.The chat record was still the last time he replied to me after the basketball match two days ago.He didn't update his Instagram either.It seemed that time had stopped since I chose to give up.I quickly shook off this idea.It was not that time stood still but that my departure had no effect on Austin.Thinking of this, I was indignant.We'd known each other for a long time, but he had never sent me any messages.I leaned over the table and
13In the evening, I invited Austin to have dinner.Because I didn't have any feelings for him anymore, I didn't pay too much attention to my image. I packed up casually and went to the appointment.From afar, I saw him standing on the roadside.Wearing black casual pants, he was tall and thin. With his hands in his pockets, he bowed his head and kicked the stones on the roadside. His good-looking side face was blurred under the street lamp.The night wind blew his soft hair, full of youth.I knew he was handsome, somehow he looked especially handsome tonight.He seemed to have dressed up specially.I walked over and called his name.Austin raised his head.Then he strode towards me with starry eyes.In the restaurant, I sat opposite Austin.After he got drunk yesterday, I felt uncomfortable and didn't know what to say.Austin didn't say anything either. The atmosphere was very quiet and filled with embarrassment.I cleared my throat and finally opened the topic. "How are
Author: You San Brandon slowly loosened his tie, approached me, and said in a deep voice, "How is a kid better than a man?"Before he could touch me, William stopped him. "Old men are useless. They have just pretty faces. I suggest you be a bit more sensible."Brandon smiled and looked at me. "You tell him. Am I useful?"I stammered but was unable to get a proper word out. I waved at them and ran away.1Brandon Jones was my first crush.When I was a freshman, he spoke on behalf of the students at the orientation party. I fell in love with Brandon at first sight and was completely head over heels for him ever since.I was not the only one who fell in love with him that day, but I was the most obsessed.I didn't date or skip classes in my four years at university, throwing myself instead into my studies just so I could catch up to him.I had thought we would be like Noah and Allie, but Brandon didn't even know my name.I joined the same club as him, and I summoned the courag
4I was overthinking.Brandon was only looking for me because of work. His assistant was on maternity leave, and I happened to be available. Looking at his business-like expression, I pinched myself hard. I told myself to wake up and not think about those useless things.Brandon was handling a financial dispute case, and the client was a foreman working at a construction site. The boss delayed paying their wages, and the client was unable to provide an explanation to his fellow construction workers. Some radical ones went to his house every day, holding up banners while threatening him. This time, we went there to investigate and collect evidence.On the way, Brandon said to me, "Make sure to be sharp later on. Follow behind me and don't act rashly."I wondered if he was worried about me. As soon as that thought entered my head, I immediately dismissed it. No, I shouldn't be touched at all. He was merely doubting my ability."Okay, Mr. Jones," I replied professionally. However, I
7Half an hour later, I got into Brandon's car.The clinic he took me to was quite far away. No wonder I couldn't find any information about it on Google.The doctor knew him. When she saw me, she asked Brandon, "Your girlfriend?""Colleague."She stared at me for a long time and asked me what had happened to the kitten. I told her that Ginger wanted to vomit but couldn't. She wondered if Ginger had eaten anything randomly. I said she shouldn't have, but I went to work during the day and didn't know if she had.As I spoke, I almost burst into tears. I was so overwhelmed with guilt. Why couldn't I answer the most basic question? The vet suggested that we do a CT scan first. I agreed and handed Ginger to the nurse. I stood outside the treatment room, feeling at a loss.Brandon took two pieces of tissues and handed them to me. It was only then I realized that I was crying. "I don't know what happened to Ginger. She was fine when I went home. It's all my fault. I should have set up
10Brandon asked me what was wrong. I told him he should ask his ex-girlfriend instead. William asked me if I was bullied, but I told him I wasn't and it was my fault for being careless in my work. William patted my hair and said he would take me to eat something nice at night.He wanted to send me home but had to give up because he had to work overtime. I was very happy. I really didn't want to have any more entanglements with him anymore. I had already turned him down countless times, but it was like he didn't understand.However, I didn't expect to see Brandon downstairs. Holding a bag of cat snacks, he said, "I came to see Ginger."That was a very good excuse. I couldn't find it in me to reject him.As soon as I entered the door, Ginger was meowing again. I picked her up, told Brandon to sit, and poured him a glass of water. He played with Ginger for a while and suddenly said, "Noelle, I'm sorry for causing you trouble.""Yeah, it really was a lot of trouble.""I've already
13Our law firm soon had a new rumor flying about. It said that I was a two-timer who had seduced Brandon and led William on. They also said I used my skills in bed to win Brandon over. Otherwise, with how ordinary I was, how could I win over Harriet?Everywhere I went, people were talking about me behind my back. Ashley was the only one who was willing to speak to me. "Don't let it bother you. They're all just jealous. Ella, only children make choices. You're an adult. You can have both!" she chirped.Brandon heard her words and asked, "Have what?"Ashley quickly ran away. Brandon called me into his office and asked, "Have you heard the rumors going around the office recently?""Huh? What gossip? Oh. Yes, I did.""Noelle, I'm curious, too. Between me and that brat, who would you choose?"Huh? What? Was he kidding me?I was stunned into silence for a while. "They're all joking. Don't be angry. I'll clarify later that I have a boyfriend and promise not to let these rumors affect