CHAPTER 152: DARE TO LOVE ME My Birthday Part 1
William
Weeks earlier
“How do I look in this dress?” Jessie twirled in front of me, and I rubbed my temple.
She’d been insistent on going out, accompanying me everywhere, and inviting me to dinners with her family. I liked her parents and Joy; I couldn’t deny it. Besides, it served as a distraction from thinking about Asher.
“As always, Jessie, you look beautiful.” I exhaled and looked away from her to type something
on my laptop.
“Oh, Will, you’re the best friend a girl could have. Since I came back, I wished you’d be more than that in my life again, and I insisted on it.” I looked up. Her behavior made me suspicious,
but I decided not to dwell on it; I already had enough to deal with.
“Jessie, I can only be your friend,” I clarified. I didn’t want to hurt her. It seemed my actions
hadn’t been enough all this time. I didn’t want her to have illusions about something that
couldn’t be.
“I know, I know, I’ve noticed.” She pouted. “I know you only see me as a friend. I’m not blind, although I thought I could achieve it. Our relationship was beautiful.” She exhaled with a slight
snort, like a child.
“It was, but we’ll never be those kids again,” I said, and she sat down in the chair in front of
- me.
I
“Now I know.” She nodded firmly. “Since we’ve cleared that up, I want to tell you something.”
I looked at her again and waited in silence.
“My ex–fiancé is back, and he wants us to resume our engagement.” She grimaced slightly.
“Wow.” I raised my eyebrows. “And what do *you* want?” I asked.
“I don’t know. I don’t want to live in Korea, and that’s why we broke up. He refused to leave his
life in his country for me. He doesn’t even need to live there; his businesses allow him the
freedom anyone would want. Besides, he’s half Russian.” Jessie rolled her eyes. “One day he
forced me to choose between him and my country, my culture, my customs, and here I am.”
She lifted her chin, making me laugh. “I left him the ring and went back to my family.
Yesterday, after he talked to me and asked me to come back, I told him that if he wanted me
back, we had to live here, and he agreed.” She smiled smugly.
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CHAPTER 152: DARE TO LOVE M…
“So there will be a wedding,” I affirmed.
“Eventually.” She tilted her head from side to side. “He’s going to have to pay a little first, that’s
for sure. You’ll be my best man. And you have to keep it a secret that I tried to get back.
together with you.” She smiled innocently.
“Of course, it will be as you wish.” I moved my hand and shook my head.
“Yay! I told you you were a sweetheart.” She leaned in to kiss my cheeks, taking my face in her
hands. I could only shake my head.
END OF FLASHBACK
Today, after waking up alone at Ashley’s house and continuing without understanding her
behavior, I decided to leave. We had had an incredible night, and for no apparent reason, she
had decided to leave me alone in her house. How was I supposed to take that? I tried to locate
her during the day, but I couldn’t find her. Her phone didn’t seem to be working until I got here and decided to call her as soon as I saw her. As I suspected, she didn’t answer my call, and I
witnessed it. Now she couldn’t hide; she had no choice but to talk to me. I just hoped the night
we had meant the same to both of us, although her leaving me alone wasn’t a good sign.
I took her away from everyone to the magnificent terrace they had rented for the celebration, and I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful she looked. I inhaled her exquisite scent.
And I was annoyed after hearing her say that what happened last night was a mistake.
“A mistake.” She nodded, and the wind played with her hair. “Or what do you call spending the night with a woman when you’re going to marry another?” Ash spoke angrily, and I weighed her words. I didn’t understand what she was talking about.
“Are you talking about me?” I furrowed my brow, my voice not betraying the confusion in my
head.
She snorted.
“Yes, about you and your wedding to Jessie.” She pressed her finger into my chest. “And about the great idea you and she had for me to design her wedding dress.” She stated, and my mind was racing. What was she talking about?
“Nothing you’re saying makes sense.” I shook my head, still unable to understand her words.
“Are you going to deny it?” The little minx confronted me, and my instinct to kiss her was stronger than this pointless argument.
“Absolutely.” I nodded, and the situation amused me. What kind of mess was I in without even knowing it?
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CHAPTER 152: DARE TO LOVE M…
“I feel sorry for that girl; she should leave you standing at the altar.” Ash walked away, but I grabbed her arm, pulled her to me, and kissed her. She looked irresistibly beautiful like that.
“Are you stupid? How can you kiss me after what I just told you?” She tried to pull away, but
she couldn’t.
“Now you’re going to explain to me what the hell you’re talking about,” I spoke close to her
mouth.
“Well, since your memory has failed you this time, I’ll remind you in her words: ‘Will and I would be delighted if you would design my wedding dress.” She spoke, and her voice sounded
like Jessie’s.
Silently, I watched her, pondering what she had said.
Jessie had confirmed to me that she was getting married a while back, and she and her fiancé had formally asked me to be their best man. What I didn’t understand was why Jessie would say that to Ashley.
“We’ve started designing the dress; the bride will look beautiful on her wedding day, you can be sure of that…”
*Jessie, you’re going to pay for this.*
“Stop.” I stopped her words. “None of that is true. I’m not marrying Jessie. I couldn’t marry her because… I’m in love with you.” I finally said it and looked intently into her beautiful brown
eyes, which now looked surprised.
