The surprise part two*

He continued, "You are the first individual to whom he has truly opened up, displaying such vulnerability. Oliver's life is fraught with challenges, largely due to his past experiences. I believe you have witnessed this firsthand over the past months. If your feelings for him were genuine, you would consider leaving him to spare him the additional pain he is already enduring. Remaining by his side will only exacerbate his suffering."

As he concluded his statement, Oliver entered the car. He took my hand and gently kissed the side of my head as we departed from my home. Throughout the journey, I remained silent, gazing out of the tinted windows. My mind was consumed with the words of Oliver's uncle.

Upon our arrival at the restaurant, we were guided to the VIP section. Once we reached our table, Oliver graciously pulled out my chair. We received our first round of drinks while going over the menu.

After a few moments, we placed our orders. While we awaited our meals, Oliver shared jokes and reminisced about happier times with his family. As we laughed together, my worries momentarily faded away, until I caught sight of his uncle observing us. The emotions I had felt in the limousine resurfaced, prompting me to stop laughing and excuse myself.

Once in the bathroom, I took deep breaths, striving to avoid tears that might ruin my makeup. I began to question my feelings.

Did I genuinely care for Oliver?

Was I truly in love with him, or was it merely sympathy for his struggles?

Was his uncle correct in suggesting that I should cease all communication with Oliver?

I recalled the memories of the bruises I saw that Oliver had from receiving beatings for me after his father discovered he had sneaked out the day he confided in me about his mother. He had risked so much just to spend time with me, ensuring we could see each other regularly.

His uncle's words resonated; Oliver could have evaded those beatings. He suffered because of my presence in his life. Without me, he might have had a better chance of navigating the difficulties within his father's household.

I quickly wiped away a few tears, adjusted my makeup, and returned to the table.

"Are you alright, Shorty? You were in the bathroom for quite a while," Oliver inquired as I took my seat.

I smiled and assured him that I was fine while he gently held my hand across the table. Our food arrived shortly thereafter, and it was certainly worth the wait. We enjoyed dessert and a few more drinks, with Oliver graciously covering the bill, before we found ourselves back in the limousine.

"Shorty, I hope you don't mind, but I wanted to take you somewhere before we head to your house," he said. I smiled, rested my head on his shoulder, and replied that I didn’t mind.

Upon our arrival, I was blindfolded and guided by him out of the car.

When the blindfold was removed, I was taken aback. We stood in the heart of a garden, surrounded by an array of gardenias, red and pink roses, and dahlias.

These were all the types of flowers I had mentioned to Oliver as my favorites. Standing amidst the blooms on a path, I felt the cool breeze enveloping me. I smiled and gazed into the distance, captivated by the stars twinkling in the night sky.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***