A pair of eyes locked. Sean stared at Alexa with disbelief that he could still see her. He was afraid that Alexa hated him. All this time, Sean thought Alexa didn't want to show her face again. Sean was wrong; Alexa loved him very much. She couldn't possibly let Sean go. Sean's gaze didn't waver; he continued to stare at her. Without realizing it, Alexa was already standing in front of him. Alexa was very beautiful, even more beautiful and charismatic than before.
Sean was a little nervous, trying to control himself. It didn't take long for Sean to smile, cup her cheeks, and hold Alexa's body very tightly. He missed this woman very much. The woman who always stole his focus and time. Her scent was still distinctive, vanilla.
Julian, who saw this, looked at him lazily. Look, who was the one who seemed indifferent when asked about Alexa, who was the one who looked like he was releasing long-buried longing. Julian had to admit that his best friend was indeed hopeless when it came to love. Unlike him, who was very skilled, even to the point of being labeled a playboy. That was Julian.
"Where have you been, Lexie? I miss you." Sean continued to hug Alexa as if reluctant to let her go. He was afraid Alexa would leave again. This was what Alexa didn't understand. Sean could never be firm. If he didn't want to be with her, Sean should have set boundaries, instead of giving her the green light, which only made Alexa's hopes and love grow stronger.
"Ahem, we're all just spectators here." Becca couldn't bear to watch. Becca immediately hugged Raphael. They had no idea that they were now the center of attention. Alexa, realizing this, immediately let go of Sean's embrace.
Alexa's gaze shifted to Julian. The foolish man who was always punished for never doing his homework. Not wanting to waste the opportunity, he also hugged Alexa. It wasn't just Sean who wanted to hug her. Julian also missed Alexa very much, even though they often fought.
Everyone there was busy looking for a partner to dance with, and Alexa was no exception. She approached Sean, who was busy eating the food in front of him. Alexa tried to ask him to dance. Sean, unable to bear refusing Alexa's request, took her hand and prepared to dance. They were swept up in the music, their gazes locking. Sean kept staring at the face he had longed for all this time. There were so many questions Sean wanted to ask Alexa, starting with her departure nine years ago. His eyes shifted to her lips, painted with nude lipstick, and Sean held Alexa by the nape of her neck.
"May I?" His sentence was cut off when their lips finally touched. The kiss was slow, but full of feeling. They were both lost in their own world, as if only they existed.
Not far from there, the woman who witnessed Sean and Alexa's actions felt a sharp pain in her heart, her hands clenching into fists. Rage surged within her.
The car stopped in front of the automatic gate. In the passenger seat, Alexa smiled as she recalled last night's events between her and Sean. As soon as the car door opened, Alexa stepped out, her YSL heels touching the shiny black granite path. The afternoon breeze gently swept through her hair, carrying the earthy scent of fallen leaves. Her eyes immediately focused on the front. This magnificent building looked like a work of contemporary architectural art.
This was where Alexa was, the Sterling family residence. Nathalia had been waiting for Alexa's arrival. Alexa had informed Nathalia in advance. Alexa and Sean's mother were as close as mother and daughter. Often, Nathalia would ask Alexa when she would come over. She had always wanted a daughter. She wanted to go to the salon together, shop together, exchange clothes and makeup. Now that her daughter was back, Nathalia was very excited.
Alexa was very embarrassed when she remembered how she first met Sean's mother and how they became so close. Alexa, the crazy girl who would do anything to get closer to Sean, came to the Sterling family home to apply for a job as a gardener. Nathalia, who interviewed her at the time, tried to act normal, as if she didn't know this girl. How could Nathalia not know Sean's friends? Especially since Sean often mentioned Alexa's name to her. At that moment, Nathalia couldn't help but laugh at Alexa's absurd answer. In the end, she agreed to help Alexa. It was as if the universe was supporting Alexa's actions. Everyone celebrated. Everyone supported Alexa.
Nathalia allowed Alexa to be a gardener at her residence for a week. Of course, Alexa was not treated like a typical gardener. Alexa and Nathalia seemed to be close and gardened together. The Sterling family mansion had a very large flower garden, which was specially designed by Alaric as a gift for his wife. Alexa imagined that Sean would give her a flower garden like his father's.
Sean, who had just arrived at the main house, was surprised to see Alexa there. Nathalia deliberately told Sean to go back to the main house so they could meet. Nathalia was very annoyed to see how slowly this love story was progressing. She wondered what her son was thinking. What was he looking for? Alexa approached Sean and pulled him behind the main mansion. They sat near the flower garden, Alexa's favorite spot when visiting her residence.
"Lexie, you've changed a lot." Hearing that, Alexa immediately turned to the source of the voice.
"Change?" Alexa asked in confusion. Sean quickly nodded.
Silence. They focused on looking at the flower garden in front of them. Until finally Sean spoke up.
"Do you have a boyfriend?" Sean didn't know why the question came out of his mouth. He had been curious for nine years whether someone had replaced him in Alexa's heart. Alexa just nodded. Sean's hands clenched into fists.
"Who is it?" Sean kept asking Alexa in an intimidating voice. Until finally Alexa spoke up.
"How about you? Who's your girlfriend? Who's that lucky woman?" Alexa's words made Sean angry. What did she mean by that? Alexa didn't answer his question but turned the question back to Sean.
"Answer me, Alexa, don't change the subject." Sean's expression held back his anger as his voice grew louder; he wanted to hear Alexa's answer.
"What's the point of me answering or not?" Alexa's gaze remained fixed ahead. Sean grabbed her face, forcing Alexa to answer his question. Alexa, who did not accept such rough treatment, pushed Sean's body away from her. She stood up and hurriedly left Sean. Before that, Alexa answered Sean's question, holding back her anger.
"You know the answer. In two years, I'll still be hoping that promise comes true, Sean."
"I hope you don't forget your promise. Like it or not, a promise is a promise,"
Alexa's words stunned him. The sentence he had uttered himself nine years ago played over and over in his head like a broken record.
If we're not married by the age of 29, let's get married.