09
“Hey? What are the chances of us passing by here? This is my university.” I marveled as I looked at my alma
mater
Christian parked the car on the side. “Let’s go inside and take a look.”
One couldn’t have both youth and the notalgia of it at the same time. As I saw the students walking around, I suddenly realized that I had lost my youth.
Christian suggested we take a walk. We strolled leisurely and before I knew it, we had arrived at the very spot where I first met Arnold.
“Riley,” Christian suddenly stopped and I looked at him, confused.
7.58 AM
From Marrong dy Tree Destiny
He smiled gently. “Actually, we met when we were little, right under the tree at your house. I used to stutter, so l
didn’t like talking. That day, all the other kids went to play and I was the only one sitting under the tree. You saw me and stayed to play with me the whole day.”
I was stunned, childhood memories flooding back. “It was you?!”
He sighed. “After that, I kept an eye on you. We even ended up at the same university. But I never had the courage
to talk to you.”
“One day, I saw you in the rain from a distance, so I went inside to grab an umbrella. But by the time I got to the door, someone else was already holding an umbrella for you.”
“But do you know? The umbrella he used was the one I lent him.”
“Riley, I really regret it. My cowardice delayed our meeting by five years.”
I was so shocked that I couldn’t speak. So that umbrella, tilting in the rain, had always been filled with love. I had been blind, unable to see the person standing under it.
him.
Christian’s eyes were slightly red at the corners and my heart ached. I walked up to him and tightly embraced
“It’s not too late, it’s not too late. At least we didn’t miss each other in the end.”
On the day of the wedding, I slowly walked toward Christian, my eyes filled with hope for the future.
He gazed at me with deep affection, slowly opening his mouth.
“I will go against my nature, defy my instincts and love you forever.” His firm words calmed the small flutter in my heart.
The officiant announced that it was time to exchange rings.
Suddenly, an unexpected guest barged in.
“Wait!” Arnold, wearing a dark red suit, holding a bouquet of flowers, rushed toward me with urgent steps. “Riley, don’t marry him.” Tears welled up in his eyes as he stood in front of me, looking as if he was ready to take me away.
I was a bit irritated. “Who allowed you to be here?”
Hearing this, Arnold immediately dropped to his knees at my feet, his tone pleading and pitiful.
“Come with me, please. We’ve loved each other for five years. How could you be so heartless and marry
someone else?”
“Five years and you still couldn’t give me a home. Now you’re fantasizing about me abandoning my lover to be with you?”
My voice was cold and Christian, standing by my side, waved for security.
Arnold was immediately dragged away by security. As he was taken out, he shouted, “We shouldn’t have ended up like this.”
I ignored him and turned to look at Christian. When I turned around, I found him gazing at me with worry. He had promised me a perfect wedding, but now, there was a flaw.
I gave him a reassuring glance, signaling him to relax and continue the ceremony. I carefully placed the ring on Christian’s finger.
He showed me that love should make you brave, not make you feel constantly wronged or forced to compromise. After the wedding, I smoothly took over the Pena Enterprises.
With the experience I had gained from working my way up through the company’s ranks over the years, I quickly earned the trust of the shareholders.
30
I heard that the video of Arnold interrupting the wedding was posted online and the whole internet mocked him.