Chapter 19%
That night, I sat at the bar, my fingers unconsciously tracing the rim of my glass.!!
The bar was dimly lit, the music deafening. The crowd around me swayed on the dance floor, their laughter and the clinking of glasses blending into a jarringly cheerful noise.
“Another one,” I said to the bartender my voice a little hoarse
The bartender glanced at me, hesitating. “Ma’am, this is your third.”
“I’m fine, I forced a smile. “Just want a drink.”
The bartender didn’t say anything more, pouring me another whiskey!
I took a long swig. The burn down my throat did nothing to dull the ache in my chest
Jonathan’s words from earlier kept replaying in my mind!
The man he was now was completely different from the spirited young man in my memories.)
How had he become like this?
How had the boy who once loved me with all his heart turned into this unrecognizable stranger?!
“Miss, all alone?”}}
A strange man suddenly sat down next to me, his heavy cologne making me wrinkle my nose
He wore a loud floral shirt, collar open, eyes shamelessly raking over me.!!
“Waiting for someone,” I said, shifting away from him, not wanting to engage.
“Wearing something that conservative to a bar, really?
we?
He chuckled, his gaze lingering on my tightly wrapped dress, “Playing innocent, are we
I gripped my glass tightly, a wave of nausea rising in my chest.
This beige dress was one of the few pieces of clothing I’d brought abroad. It was simple and elegant, with a neckline revealing only my collarbones.}
Still, being stared at like this made me feel exposed and ashamed
“Get lost,” I said coldly.!!
“Feisty, aren’t you?” The man didn’t leave but instead leaned closer. That’s exactly what I like…”
“She said, get lost“:
A familiar voice came from behind me, followed by an arm extending between me and the man.X
Julian stood there, wearing a simple black T-shirt that subtly revealed his muscular build. His eyes were frighteningly cold.X
The man sized Julian up and down, finally leaving with a disgruntled look.
“How did you know I was here?” I asked, looking up at him, my voice trembling slightly.
Julian sat down beside me, his brow furrowed. “I figured you weren’t in a good mood. I was worried about you.”
I looked down, not saying anything. Talking too much about relationships and marriage could be tiresome for others.
Seeing my silence, Julian was quiet momentarily before suddenly saying. That dress looks really good on you.“).
I froze
I tugged at the hem of my dress, forcing a bitter smile.
“I must look so out of place, right?“}
“No,” he said firmly. “You have the right to wear whatever you want.”
His words were like a key, suddenly unlocking the floodgates of my memory.
I remembered attending a banquet with Jonathan once, wearing a backless dress.
He scowled in front of everyone, accused me of trying to seduce someone and forced me to go home and change.
I’d cried in the dressing room for a long time that day, but still complied with his demands.
“Really? It looks good?” I asked softly, my voice choked with emotion.
Julian’s gaze rested intently on my face. “It looks perfect.”
The tips of his ears were slightly red. “Everything looks good on you.”
The bar transitioned to a softer, more mellow song.
I gazed at Julian’s side profile, suddenly noticing the delicate shadow his eyelashes cast in the dim light, the clean line of his nose and the perfect angle of his jawline.!!
Whether it was the alcohol or something else, my heart suddenly began to beat faster
“Julian,” I called his name softly
