âI really do prefer this beige one, itâs not about being stubborn or anything. If I find a purple dress that I like in the future, Iâll wear it too,â Valda said. âBrian, I still think that we shouldnât use a dress to prove anything. What I really want is not a certain color, but your feelings for me. Soâ¦â
She paused and looked deeply into his eyes. âIf one day you really find yourself falling in love with me, please tell me as soon as possible, okay?â
He stared at her, realizing that she was much more open-minded and transparent than he had imagined.
âOkay! I promise you that if I fall in love with you in the future, I will be the first to tell you,â he said in a hoarse voice.
âThen⦠pinky swear, promise me that you wonât break your word,â she said, holding out her right hand and raising her pinky finger.
âI wonât break my word, I promise,â he said, extending his own pinky finger and hooking it with hers.
This was his promise to her, and he would never break it.
The Reed familyâs banquet was grand, attended by celebrities and big shots from all walks of life.
When Valda arrived at the banquet with Brian, she couldnât help but feel a little nervous, and her body became slightly stiff.
Standing next to her, Brian was the first to notice.
âWhatâs wrong? Are you nervous?â he asked.
âYeah,â she nodded, âthere are so many people, and many of them Iâve only seen on TV news or financial magazines. What if they come over and talk to you and I canât say anything because Iâm too nervous?â
âWell, you donât have to say anything if you donât want to. Nobody says you have to talk,â Brian said.
âBesides, just think, maybe theyâre even more nervous than you. If thatâs the case, then you wonât be nervous anymore.â
âHuh?â She was puzzled and asked, âAre they more nervous than me?â
âYes, because youâre my girlfriend. Theyâll naturally be nervous when dealing with you, and theyâll worry that if they accidentally offend you, itâs like offending me too,â he explained.
Hearing this, she couldnât help but chuckle.
âStill nervous?â he asked her.
Thanks to him, she was indeed less nervous than before. âMuch better,â she said.
As the banquet went on, Valda did see some familiar faces, such as Kyla and Martinâs family. Nelson was playing with the triplets, while their youngest daughter, Trista, was being taken care of by Kylaâs mother. However, because the child was still young, Kylaâs mother took her to the rest area first.
Valda met Mason, one of the triplets, for the first time.
That is a very beautiful child, but there is something about the childâs gaze that doesnât seem quite ordinary. Itâs as if there is a lack of innocence and instead a sense of coldness and emptiness.
However, when faced with a slightly older little girl next to him, the little guy showed an absolute attachment, which surprised Valda.