Stella sat next to Dylan, holding a wine glass and looking at me with ill intentions.

I glared at her, and Lucy gave me a piece of chicken.

"Chloe, don't be shy, make yourself at home."

"Okay, Mrs. Harris."

"Hey, Mrs. Harris sounds too formal. Call me Aunt Lucy," Lucy said.

"Thank you, Aunt Lucy."

They could really drink, and even I, who considered myself to have a good tolerance, was feeling a bit dizzy.

"Chloe, go play with the young ones!"

I nodded, and as I stood up, my legs gave way.

A young boy in front of me came over and supported me.

"Be careful, sis."

I looked up and saw his flushed face.

"Thank you," I politely smiled at him.

He looked around eighteen.

"Sis, want to join us in playing cards?" he asked.

I nodded, and he pulled me into the group of kids.

He told me his name was Nathan.

We were having a great time when someone suddenly covered my eyes with a hat.

I looked back and saw Dylan and Stella.

"What are you doing? Don't touch me."

He leaned on the back of my sofa, "I noticed you're only mean to me."

His voice reached my ears, and my hand trembled as I continued playing cards.

"Dylan, let's go play with fireworks," Stella said.

Dylan patted me again, "Stop playing, let's go together."

"You two have your world, why should I intrude?"

"I, won't, go." I stuck my tongue out at him.

We played until late, and it was time to leave.

"I'll take you home," Dylan said.

"No need, I'll call a cab."

"Do you see any cabs picking up passengers outside?"

His retort left me speechless.

He used to be quite the gentleman; now he's a bit annoying.

"Chloe, let Dylan take you home," Joel said.

He even gave me a thumbs-up gesture secretly. Didn't Joel see Stella standing next to him?

"Dylan, I'll go with you," Stella started to say, but was pulled away by Lucy.

"Stella, come see the room I've prepared for you."

I almost died laughing.

"Let's go," Dylan tapped my head.

I jogged to catch up with him.

Because I'd had a bit to drink, I fell asleep in the passenger seat.

When the car stopped, I opened my eyes to see Dylan leaning in very close.

"I'm unbuckling your seatbelt," his breath tickled my ear.

I blushed immediately.

I quickly tried to open the door to get out, but it was locked.

I looked up at him in frustration, "Open the door."

"What's the rush? Let's chat for a bit."

"We haven't seen each other in six or seven years."

I helplessly leaned against the car door, looking at him reproachfully.

"You have such a big problem with me?" he raised an eyebrow.

I shook my head.

"Then, is it Stella?"

I nodded, then quickly shook my head.

"None of your business."

He chuckled softly, and I glared at him, finding his laugh pleasing.

"Don't laugh."

"She's not my girlfriend, just a college friend."

"We just came back together. Her parents went back to their hometown, so she's staying temporarily."

I looked at him in confusion, wondering why he was explaining this to me.

"My dad sends me your work photos every day, saying he'll introduce you to me when I come back."

"I didn't tell him we already knew each other."

"Mr. Harris took photos of me secretly?" I sat up angrily.

"Yes, he really admires you."

"He brainwashes me every day, saying, 'Remember, she's your future wife.'"

"My future daughter-in-law, I won't accept any foreign girls you bring back."

I laughed too, because Joel was really good to me.

My mom passed away when I was in college, and my dad remarried.

Joel had always taken good care of me since I started working.

He looked at me quietly, and I seemed to be smiling inappropriately.

"Let me tell you, your dad is quite cunning."

"He changed my annual meeting prize to a month of dates with you."

"I was stunned when I saw it."

"You're not satisfied?" he asked.

"Not satisfied with what?"

"With dating me."

I blushed again.

"Dylan, if you don't open the door, I'll get angry!"

He opened it and immediately got out of the car with me.

As soon as I got out, I fell to the ground, and he came over and carried me in his arms.

I don't know if I was really craving a man, but I quietly lay in his arms until he placed me on my bed.

"Do you need help removing your makeup and washing up?" he asked.

"You should go back. I'll do it myself slowly."

He pinched my cheek and said, not goodbye, but goodnight.

I lay on the bed in a daze, anticipating something.

It's said that in one's lifetime, there is only one instance of falling madly in love.

For me, he was that instance.

After parting in high school, I never liked anyone else.

Our online contact was limited to exchanging holiday greetings.

Everything that happened today felt like a dream.

I suddenly sat up, gritting my teeth, "Stella, I'll kill you."

Stella and I were middle school classmates.

I had been pretty capable since I was young, good-looking, good at studies, but a bit soft-hearted.

In our six-person dormitory, she ostracized me from the group.

She made indirect accusations and spread rumors about me.

She even found some bullies to teach me a lesson.

Looking at the faint burn scars on my hands, I suddenly felt a wave of fear.

Because my experience in middle school was too miserable, I found everything about high school life incredibly wonderful.

Especially him.

After the New Year, everyone gradually returned to work.

Dylan was also by his father's side, learning some management skills.

The most inexplicable thing was that I saw Stella's name on the HR list.

A few days later, she reported to our department.

Who came up with the bad idea to have me mentor her?

That day, I went to the restroom, and someone followed me in.

Someone forcefully grabbed my hair and kicked my knee.

I fell to the ground.

Stella was still the same; she yanked my hair and let out a cold snort.

"You had him for three years in high school; I had him for six years in college."

"I advise you to be sensible and stay away from him."

This restroom was for executives, so not many people came in.

After she finished, she left, and I hadn't quite reacted.

The shadows of my childhood overwhelmed me, and I blacked out.

I held onto the wall and walked out, only to run into Dylan.

He was wearing a well-fitted suit and walking towards me with his long strides.

"What happened? Why is your hair so messy?"

"Are you feeling unwell?"

His barrage of concern left me a bit overwhelmed.

My body leaned completely towards him, and it was the first time I cried in years.

Because I was really feeling miserable.

"It's slippery inside, I fell, and it hurts." When I said it, my voice choked with tears.

He picked me up and walked towards Joel's office.

"Dylan, no, put me down," I looked at him nervously.

"Don't worry, my dad's not here."

He placed me on the sofa and gently pulled my skirt up to my thighs.

He took out a first aid kit and carefully disinfected my wounds.

My legs were on his lap, and I was somewhat lost, looking at his serious expression.

Remembering Stella's warning, I steeled my resolve.

I touched his face with my hand and leaned in to kiss him.

He was stunned for a moment, then his expression returned to calm.

Just then, his dad walked in.

Seeing us kissing, he stood stunned at the door.

I immediately put my legs down and pushed him away.

Because I pushed too hard, my legs hurt badly.

"What are you doing, all reckless?" He put my legs back on his lap.

No matter how I tried to pull my legs back, he wouldn't let go.

"Mr. Harris, I just accidentally fell," I said to the old man.

"Ah, no worries, I just came in to get something." Joel scurried in like a thief, grabbed something, and quickly left.

I said I fell, and Joel said no worries.

Thinking about what just happened, my face turned red with embarrassment.