Chapter 24
As Olivia met Julian’s eyes, she felt a sudden heat rise to her face. It wasn’t just her cheeks her eyes were warm, and ever her throat seamed to burn.- Her voice came out hoarse as she spoke, “It’s beautiful. I really like it.”
After a pause, she asked, “But how did you know tomorrow is my birthday? I’m sure I never told you.”
With the clock edging past midnight, it would be Olivia’s 24th birthday. She thought in confusion, Nobody mentioned it, and no one remembers my birthday. How does Julian, someone I’ve known for such a short time, know about it?‘
Julian flashed a gentle smile. “You once told me.”
Olivia frowned, trying to recall it. “When? I don’t remember it.”
His eyes flickered with a glimmer of amusement as he replied, “That night, the first time we slept. You were drunk, and you rambled the whole night. Your mentioned your birthday. I suppose you’ve forgotten that.”
Olivia nodded, though she still didn’t recall anything.
“Why are you crying, babe? You’re moved by such a small thing?” Julian teased, pinching her cheek and gently wiping away her tears.
Olivia tried to turn her face away, not wanting him to see her tears, but he caught her anyway.
Feeling a little embarrassed, she pouted and buried her face in his chest, rubbing her tears and snot onto him. “I’m not moved. Just the wind is so strong and it got in my eyes.”
Julian chuckled, his voice light. “Well, the wind is too bad. Since it makes you cry, jsut let it take away all your worries, alright?”
Olivia couldn’t help but chuckle. She playfully punched him on the arm and said, “You’re so childish.”
She then wrapped her arms around his waist, rested her head against him, and whispered, “Thank you. I really like it.”
No one had ever treated her so sincerely before. Even if his gestures were a result of practice, a professional effort to please her rather than genuine affection, she still felt touched.
In her heart, she made a decision. ‘Given how well he’s managed my emotional needs, I’ll make sure to give him a little extra when the deal is done.’
Julian’s voice was serious, his gaze soft. “As long as you like it, everything I’ve done is worth it.”
He glanced at the time before gently pulling her toward the table. “It’s past midnight. Let’s light the candles.”
After lighting the candles, Julian urged Olivia to make a wish. She closed
her
eyes and silently repeated her wish in her heart.
She had never believed in such things before, but ever since her grandfather’s accident, she started to believe that relying on reality alone wouldn’t clear the debts in her life.
Thus, she turned to beliefs, hoping that one day, she would wake up to find all her family’s debts cleared, her uncle released from prison, and her grandfather’s health restored.
As she silently made her wish, Julian’s soft, deep voice filled the air, singing a familiar song. Though it was an ordinary tune, his voice made it sound beautiful. In his singing, Olivia completed her wish.
When she opened her eyes, Julian was standing in front of her, speaking with a gentle smile. “Happy birthday.”
The flickering candlelight illuminated his face, casting a warm glow on the right side of his face, while the left remained in shadow. The contrast made him look even more handsome, adding an air of mystery and allure, as though he were a seductive phantom.
Olivia returned his smile. “Thank you. I’m really happy.”
Chapter 24
Julian stood up, walked behind her, and then squatted down.
Just as Olivia was about to turn around, she felt his hands slip around her from behind. A cool sensation touched her neck, and when she looked dow she saw Julian fastening a necklace around her. A ring dangled from the chain.
“This is your birthday gift. It may not be as valuable as the hope you won’t refuse,” he said.
you received at the auction, but I designed it myself, it’s my heartfelt gift to you. l-
Olivia reached to grab the ring, her fingers brushing over the surface. She could feel that there were letters engraved on the inside of the ring
The letters were: 0&J–representing Julian and her names.
Olivia didn’t resist, allowing Julian to put the necklace on her.
Julian then took out another necklace and handed it to Olivia. “I got one for myself too. Could you help me put it on?”
Olivia looked down at the necklace in her hands. It also had a ring attached, and it was clear that it was a his–and–hers ring set with the one she was already wearing.
Olivia felt like there was a lump in her throat. She knew very well that given the nature of their relationship, this crossed the line. This kind of gesture went beyond a business transaction, and their emotions could easily spiral out of control.
But despite her inner conflict, she still helped him put it on.
With a wide smile, Julian took her hand, and they cut the cake together.
After taking a bite of the cake, Olivia glanced at the rest and pushed it toward him. “I can’t eat anymore. Why don’t you finish the rest?”
A sly grin spread across Julian’s face as he leaned in. “Okay, but you’ll have
to
cooperate with me.”
Olivia didn’t hesitate but nodded without a second thought. “Sure, you want me to feed you? Come on.”
She reached for the fork, but before her hand could even touch it, Julian effortlessly lifted her off the ground with one hand. His other hand went for the
cake.
“Hey, what are you doing?” Olivia gasped, surprised by his sudden move.
Julian didn’t answer her directly, but soon enough, Olivia realized exactly what
he
was
up to.
‘He really loves learning, doesn’t he? His skills improve so quickly. I regret saying that before,‘ Olivia couldn’t help but think to herself.
It wasn’t until nearly three hours had passed, and a shooting star streaked across the sky, that Julian finally wrapped a blanket around both of them and carried her out of the glass house.
He sat down on an outdoor lounger and gently placed her on his lap. “Look, the meteor shower comes. Make a wish,” Julian said softly.
Olivia closed her eyes, made a serious wish, and then leaned back into his embrace, watching the falling stars.
Julian sighed. “The meteor shower is beautiful, isn’t it? But honestly, who came up with the idea of wishing on shooting stars? They’re just the corpses of dead stars. Humans really love making wishes on things that are dead, huh?”
It was like how people wished upon ancestors who had passed away. Even if that ancestor had achieved nothing in life, the descendants would still place their hopes in them after death, wishing they could somehow become powerful enough to bless their future generations.
Julian chuckled and asked, “So, what did you wish for?”
Olivia shook her head. “I can’t tell you. Wishes don’t come true if you say them out loud.”
Julian tried to persuade her, “Wishes made on ‘corpses‘ are said to come true if you speak them aloud.”
23:17 Wed 18 Jun 0
Chapter 24
→
“Is that so?” Olivia was skeptical.
“Of course. Why
would I lie to you?” answered
Julian.
Olivia hesitated for
my
grandfather’s debts a moment before finally speaking up, “Fine, I wish that
will be cleared
soon.”
Julian said in a serious tone,
will “Your wish come true.”
Olivia
wore a faint smile but didn’t respond. She
thought, ‘It’s in
s impossible
it to for come true.
‘That’s such a huge far from enough to
sum of money, and debts.‘ pay off those
even
the richest man in
the world
would be
troubled by it.
Even if I sell the necklace
freceived tonight, it would be
The meteor shower lasted for about half working on improving our skills.”
an hour
before it ended. Julian picked her
up and walked
back
to the glass room, saying, ”
“Let’s continue
h
Comment
Send gift
AD
