Chapter 23: A Subtle Feeling
Wyatt hadn’t rested properly for days. After returning home, he felt uncomfortable all over. Before taking a shower, he ordered some takeout. As he scrolled through his phone, his finger accidentally clicked on an ad for slippers. They were women’s slippers, remarkably similar to Chloe’s. Thinking of them made him think of Chloe again.
Wyatt’s mind wandered back to earlier, when he had grabbed Chloe’s wrist. Even through the fabric of her sleeve, her skin had felt incredibly soft and delicate.
The weekend arrived with particularly beautiful weather. In her dorm roo choosing a vibrant dress. She paired it with a flawless, full makeup look.
yla spent a long time
“You usually hate waking up early, but today you’re up and dressed so prettily for your date! I’m jealous of whoever you’re meeting,” her roommate teased with a laugh.
Ever since Layla and Julian’s relationship had become the talk of the school, everyone knew her boyfriend wasn’t just any ordinary guy.
“I bet Julian is planning a special surprise for your birthday today,” another roommate chimed in. Layla herself was equally excited, wondering what kind of unforgettable surprise Julian had prepared. It couldn’t possibly be anything less than what Chloe used to get, could it?
“Okay, enough talking. I’ve got to go. We’ll chat later,” Layla said, rushing out the door.
As she hurried to the school entrance, she spotted Julian leaning casually against his sleek car, waiting for her. Dressed more casually than usual, Julian could have easily been mistaken for a university student. His good looks attracted the attention of several passersby, who couldn’t resist sneaking glances at him.
But Julian had checked the time at least five times by now, growing increasingly impatient. Why was Layla late, despite their planned meeting time? Just as he was about to call her, she appeared, bounding toward him with excitement.
Layla wrapped her arms around him. “Have you been waiting long?”
“You’re late,” Julian said flatly.
“I know, I’m sorry! It won’t happen again. Let’s go, shall we?” Layla hurried to assure him, not expecting him to be so upset about her tardiness.
They got into the car, and though Layla chattered non–stop, Julian remained uninterested and unresponsive. Their destination was an amusement park–Layla’s choice. Julian had no interest in such places, but since it was her birthday, he went along with her plan.
During the drive, he handed Layla a bag from the back seat. Her eyes lit up when she saw the familiar luxury logo. It was a set of expensive jewelry, and she couldn’t believe Julian had splurged on her.
“You’re amazing! This set is so hard to find, and it’s a limited edition,” Layla gushed as she eagerly put the jewelry on.
Julian’s response was indifferent: “As long as you like it.”
Meanwhile, Chloe was still half–asleep when Mia’s phone call woke her up. She had known Mia had a
surprise for her today, but she hadn’t expected it to be this early. After Mia’s relentless urging, Chloe got dressed in comfortable clothes and headed downstairs.
Chapter 23 A Subtle Feeling
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“I knew you’d still be sleeping, so look! I brought breakfast for you,” Mia said, handing her a sandwich and
milk.
Chloe took it with a grateful smile. “You’re always so punctual. You could’ve given me a heads–up last night–I almost slept in.”
Mia waved it off. “No worries! I’m here now. Get ready for the surprise.”
It wasn’t until they arrived at the amusement park that Chloe realized what the surprise was.
Seeing Chloe’s expression, Mia grinned. “Come on, you’ve been stuck in the library all the time. You need to relax!”
Mia had prepared everything in advance, including tickets and two cute hands. She put one on herself and placed the other–a pink LinaBell–on Chloe’s head.
After taking a selfie at the entrance, they ventured inside. While Chloe remained calm, Mia was buzzing with excitement. She had planned out the whole day, determined to make it fun.
“We’re going to have the best time today!” Mia declared, leading them to a roller coaster.
At first, Mia was the most excited, but after the ride, she was the one feeling the worst, pale and
nauseous.
“How is this possible? You’ve been cooped up in the library, and yet… ugh…” Mia couldn’t finish her sentence before rushing to vomit again.
Chloe couldn’t help but find the situation both amusing and exasperating. “You were the one excited for extreme rides, and now you’re the one complaining. Maybe next time you’ll think twice.”
Despite her discomfort, Mia was determined. “Just let me rest a bit, and I’ll be ready to go again!”
After a short break, Mia was mostly recovered, but it was nearing lunchtime, so they decided to eat before continuing. As they walked, a sudden commotion caught their attention. They turned to see a cascade of balloons filling the sky, in shades of pink, blue, and white, painting a beautiful scene.
