Chapter 20 Chapter 20 Chapter 20 : I'm Running Out of Time " What did he say ? " I grinned . " He said I'm going to meet a guy who's even hotter and will love me even more . " Hayden didn't say anything . " But only if I get out and see the world a little more . " Hayden said , " I can't tell if that's true , or just an excuse you made up to go abroad, " I asked him , " Did you do anything special when you proposed to Isabelle ? " Hayden shook his head . I sighed in exasperation . " A proposal and a wedding are once - in - a - lifetime events for a girl . There isn't a single girl out there who doesn't look forward to them . " Hayden seemed a little baffled . " Really ? " " Of course . " " Fine , I'll think of something . I'll find some time to propose to her again , properly . " " Don't ' find some time , " I said . " Just do it next week . " Hayden frowned at me . " Why do I get the feeling you're in a bigger rush than I am ? " * Because I'm running out of time . * * In these next two months , I want to fix Isabelle's relationship with your family and pave the way for your future . * * Just like you once did for me . * " Aubrey . " " What is it ? " " Did the old monk at the temple really say that ? " I was a little confused . We had already moved on to his engagement , so why was he suddenly circling back to that ? I nodded . " Yeah , he did . Why ? " " Nothing . Let's get in the car . " After that day , it seemed like Mr. and Madam Hughes had finally accepted the fact that Hayden and I were Chapter 20 truly over . Mr. Hughes was still not quite happy with Isabelle , while Madam Hughes was mostly just wistful about it all . The biggest change , though , was in Hayden himself . I caught him secretly watching me from the corner of my eye a few times . When I caught him , he'd look startled and quickly avert his gaze , or just make an excuse to leave . I couldn't be alone with him anymore . So , for the few days after our trip to the Serene Peace Temple , I made excuses to go out . Isabelle , on the other hand , trusted me completely and dragged me out shopping with her . " Aubrey , I want to buy a gift for Madam Hughes . It really was my fault that I burned her last time , and Mr. Hughes had that episode because of it. I want to apologize to her . " I comforted her , " Madam Hughes doesn't blame you . " " I know , but I really want to get her a gift to show how sorry I am . Can you help me pick something out ? " Isabelle dragged me to the shopping mall . After a whole afternoon of browsing , Isabelle finally narrowed it down to a few options but was still hesitating . " Aubrey , which one do you think she'll like ? " Isabelle had picked out very conventional gifts . A tie - dye cloth shawl , a dainty chain necklace , and a brooch with a rose design . " I think they're all great . " Isabelle pouted . " I'm kind of broke right now . Isn't this stuff too cheap ? " " Hasn't Hayden given you any money to use ? " Isabelle said , " I'm the one who caused the trouble . I don't want to use his money . " I thought for a moment , then pulled her into a pet store and picked out an adorable little Samoyed puppy . Isabelle looked unsure . " Aubrey , a puppy ... is that an appropriate gift ? " " Totally . Madam Hughes loves little animals . " Isabelle hesitantly paid for it . I instructed her , " You're coming home with me for dinner tonight . Give her the puppy then , and she'll be Chapter 20 ecstatic ." " Okay , I'll listen to you . " " Trust me on this . " " Aubrey , should I get a gift for Mr. Hughes , too ? Is there anything he needs ? " Madam and Mr. Hughes didn't need anything . At their age , the only thing they lacked was companionship . * After I die , Hayden and Isabelle will definitely move out to live their own lives , and my parents will be even lonelier . * * Having a little dog to keep them company might bring them some comfort . * The more they liked the puppy , the less likely they'd be to treat the person who gave it to them too harshly or coldly down the line . That evening , I brought Isabelle home with me . For once , Hayden was home early , waiting for us right outside the main gate . He looked even more surprised to see us returning together , laughing and talking . " When did you two get so close ? " I threw an arm around Isabelle's shoulders . " Isabelle and I just clicked , you know ? " Isabelle nodded emphatically . " That's right . " Hayden rubbed his nose , his brow furrowed slightly . Isabelle asked him , " Hayden , are you not happy that Aubrey and I are getting along ? " " He's just jealous ! " I gave Isabelle a gentle push toward Hayden's arms . " Alright , here's your girlfriend back . Look at you , so possessive . You really think I'm gonna steal her from you ? " Isabelle's face turned pink as she nestled into Hayden's embrace , her heart filled with sweetness . " Hayden , Aubrey and I went shopping this afternoon . " " Oh yeah ? What did you buy ? " " A gift for Madam Hughes . " " You picked it out ? " " Aubrey picked it out . She said Madam Hughes would definitely love it . " Hayden looked at me . " What did you guys buy ? " Chapter 20 * Woof woof ~ * A little puppy peeked out from my arms . It was fluffy and still a bit dazed from its nap , the fur on its head slightly messy , but it looked incredibly cute . " Hayden , look at him . Isn't he adorable ? " Hayden hesitated for a moment before giving a slight nod . He reached out and cautiously petted the little Samoyed's head . " Yeah , he is . He's very cute . " Madam Hughes absolutely loved the little Samoyed . From the moment she saw it , she held it and wouldn't let go . Her attitude toward Isabelle also softened considerably . " Thank you , Ms. Pearson . I just love this little dog ." Isabelle was a bit overwhelmed by the kindness . " Actually , the puppy was Aub- " " Madam Hughes , Isabelle dragged me all over the mall this afternoon just to pick out a gift for you . My legs are about to fall off . " Madam Hughes chuckled , gently stroking the puppy's fur . " You both must be exhausted . " " It was mainly Isabelle . I was just there for moral support . She picked out the gift , and she paid for it , too , Mr. Hughes snorted . " Probably with money Hayden gave her . " " You've got Isabelle all wrong , Mr. Hughes . She paid for the puppy with money she earned from her part - time job . She hasn't spent a dime of the Hughes family's money . " Mr. Hughes shot me a glare , as if to say , * Whose side are you on ? * I just narrowed my eyes and gave him a playful , coaxing smile . Mr. Hughes put down his chopsticks and stood up to leave . Fearing Hayden would think his dad was rejecting Isabelle again , I quickly stood up too . " What do you need , Mr. Hughes ? I'll get it for you . " Isabelle shot up as well . " I'll go . " " Ms. Pearson , " Mr. Hughes said , " you sit down and enjoy dinner with Hayden and his mother . I just remembered one of the medications the hospital gave me is supposed to be taken before meals , and I can't find which one it is . Aubrey , come upstairs and help me look . " I didn't suspect a thing and followed Mr. Hughes upstairs . He led me into his study . Once I was inside , he gestured . " Aubrey , close the door . " at you ? " " Just close it , please . I have something to ask you . " His dead - serious tone gave me a bad feeling . Sure enough , when I closed the door and turned back around , I saw the medical file lying on his desk . It wasn't Mr. Hughes's . It was mine . The smile vanished from my face .