Chapter 8
River had been a bundle of nerves lately. Ever since his grandfather returned from abroad, the old man had made it his personal mission to get River married off.]
Even though River kept insisting he was already married, his grandfather refused to believe it without meeting the mysterious wife in person. He kept setting up blind dates every few days.]
River was getting fed up with the constant matchmaking, but he couldn’t bring himself to outright refuse his grandfather’s well–meaning efforts.]
Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore and came to me for help, his voice taking on that whiny, pleading tone he used when he really wanted something.
“Hazel, Grandpa keeps setting me up on these blind dates. When are you going to make this official?”
“Come have dinner with my family tonight, okay? We can finally go public with our relationship.“[]
As he spoke, he sidled up to me like some oversized golden retriever, grabbing my hand and shaking it gently.]
Seeing him act so childish made my heart melt, and I agreed to his request.]
To be honest, even though River and I had known each other since we were kids, his grandfather had lived overseas for years. He’d only moved back to the country recently to retire, so this would be my first time formally meeting the man.
The thought made me pretty nervous.
From what I’d heard, River’s grandfather was this stern, no–nonsense type who didn’t smile much and expected things done his way.
I was terrified I’d say something wrong and make a terrible first impression.[]
That evening, standing in front of the gates to River’s family mansion, I was so nervous my palms were sweating. I couldn’t bring myself to take another step.
River must have sensed my anxiety, he turned around, gently took my hand, and said softly:
“Don’t be nervous. Grandpa’s really nice.“]
His warm palm seemed to heat up my whole heart, instantly calming me down.]
The interior of the mansion was elegantly decorated with understated luxury everywhere you looked.]
River’s grandfather was sharp and spirited, completely warm and friendly–nothing like the serious man from the rumors.
He held my hand, asking about my well–being like I was his own granddaughter. I was honestly overwhelmed by how welcoming he was.
Dinner was relaxed and fun. Grandpa told me tons of stories about River as a kid–like how he once broke the neighbor’s flower pot and tried to bury the pieces to hide the evidence.
Or the time he climbed a tree trying to catch a butterfly, got stuck, and started bawling his eyes out.
When the storytelling really got going, Grandpa pulled out this thick photo album filled with pictures of River growing up.
I was flipping through it with interest when one particular photo caught my eye–it was framed separately from the others.
In the picture, River was still a fresh–faced teenager in his school uniform, standing on a playground and gazing gently into the distance.
I was about to ask about the story behind that photo when River interrupted.
“Grandpa, let me show Hazel my room.“]
Before anyone could respond, he grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the dining room.
Once we were in his room, River pulled a diary from his bookshelf and handed it to me.
“Take a look at this.”
I took the diary, confused, and opened it. The pages were covered in dense handwriting documenting River’s teenage years.]
He’d had a crush on some girl back then. He’d carefully prepared a gift and a confession letter for her birthday, but someone else beat him to it the day before he planned to confess.
Heartbroken, he’d left for overseas, trying to forget about the whole thing.
“River, why are you showing me this?” I closed the diary and asked, not understanding. “Are you trying to show me how deeply you loved someone else?”
“You dummy.” River gently tapped my forehead, his voice full of affection. “Look more carefully. Who do you think that girl in the diary was?“]]
I opened the diary again, reading each line more carefully. Suddenly, I froze.]
Chapters
The girl described in the diary–her experiences were eerily similar to mine!]]
That hot summer day, getting hit by a soccer ball on the playground, waking up to see a worried boy asking if I was okay…]]
“Are you saying… YOU were the one who took me to the nurse’s office that day?” I looked up, unable to believe it.]
“Who else would it be, you heartless thing?” River pretended to be annoyed. “I carried you up five flights of stairs to the nurse’s office, and the minute I stepped out to get some medicine, I came back to find you’d run off with Mason!”
Warmth flooded my chest and tears started streaming down my face.
So it had been River all along–that boy from years ago!
I threw my arms around him, crying tears of joy.]
We’d missed each other for three whole years, but after going in circles, we’d finally found our way back together.]
Seeing me turn into a sobbing mess, River pulled me close and gently comforted me:
“Hey, don’t cry, silly. I’m never leaving you again.“]
