6
We lived quite close to the Jiang family home, less than a 20–minute drive away. By the time we arrived, many guests had already gathered in the house.
Jason held my hand as we entered. In the living room, Grandpa Jiang was holding Ethan’s hand, introducing him to the daughter of
Shen Groun
D
“Grandpa even arranged a blind date for Uncle Ethan today. This birthday party is much more exciting than previous years,” Jason commented.
My gaze traveled through the crowd of guests, landing on Ethan. As if sensing it, he turned his head and saw me.
I saw indifference in his eyes.
As if he had truly forgotten about that night.
A flash of hurt crossed my eyes. Music started playing in the living room as Ethan invited the Shen Group daughter to dance the opening waltz. Jason took my hand as well.
After the dance ended, Ethan went upstairs, with the Shen daughter following closely behind.
As if possessed, I followed them upstairs.
At the second floor balcony, the Shen daughter said something to Ethan, then left dejectedly. I stayed hidden, watching for a long time, until Ethan’s cold voice rang out.
“How long are you going to lurk there watching?”
I slowly shuffled over to stand behind him.
“Are you getting married?” I asked.
Ethan put out his cigarette and turned to look at me with some amusement.
“That’s still a long way off. Why? Aren’t you Jason’s girlfriend? Since when did you start meddling in your uncle’s private affairs?”
Hearing his somewhat sarcastic teasing, my nose stung and I couldn’t help but start crying.
“I don’t want you to get married…”
“Aria, in what capacity are you saying this to me?” Ethan laughed coldly. “Or are you planning to sleep with me me not to tell anyone, like last time?”
again and then ask
“I don’t want to be like this either, but I can’t control myself. Ever since that night, I can’t stop thinking about you! I know it’s wrong, but I can’t help it. I just… I just like you…”
I looked at him with tear–filled eyes, stubbornly turning away.
“If I’m causing you trouble, I won’t appear in front of you again.”
With that, I turned to leave.
Suddenly, Ethan grabbed my hand from behind, pinning me against the wall. He lowered his head, looking at me intently, and let out a long sigh.
“You just said you like me?”
“Mm…”
As soon as I started to speak, he impatiently sealed my lips with his. His kiss was deep and fierce, gradually becoming gentler. His palm lightly caressed my waist as he asked in a hoarse voice:
“Does it still hurt here?”
D
8:09 PM
<
I shook my head slightly, tilting my face up to deepen the kiss.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded on the stairs.
“Aria? Aria, did you come upstairs?”
My pupils trembled in shock. Ethan kissed my lips mischievously, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
“Scared?”
I blinked, and in the next moment, Ethan wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me into the nearby room.
The door closed behind us. I leaned against it, feeling Ethan’s scorching body heat enveloping me.
“Aria?”
Jason’s voice sounded just outside the door, separated from me by mere inches.
“Aria, are you in there?”
Ethan leaned close to my ear and whispered: “What if I open the door right now?”
As he spoke, his hand reached for the doorknob. I quickly tried to stop him, but in the next second, he had already opened the door.
