Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Chapter 5 : Remember to Drink More Water I ignored his stare . More than that , I ignored him completely . I placed a shrimp on Madam Hughes's plate . " You should try the shrimp , Madam Hughes . It's high in protein . " Then , I picked up a piece of bok choy with my chopsticks and put it on Mr. Hughes's plate . " Your cholesterol is a ple high , Mr. Hughes . More greens will do you good . " Mr and Madam Hughes just looked at me , their eyes filled with sympathy and pity . mited . " Why is everyone staring at me ? Come on , eat up . It won't taste as good once it gets cold , and we can't let Mrs. Webb's hard work go to waste . " Madam Hughes took my hand . " Aubrey , Hayden just ... forgot . Don't take it to heart . Once he remembers , everything will be okay again . " I used to think so , too . But now , I'd changed my mind . " Mr. Hughes , Madam Hughes , there's something I'd like to tell you . " " What is it , dear ? " I set down my chopsticks and raised my head , a smile spreading across my face . " I've decided to get arried " Before the words had even fully landed , Hayden shot to his feet . " Absolutely not ! " I glanced back at him , my gaze indifferent , my voice just as cool . " Not to you . " statement left everyone at the table , except for me , stunned . pied and explained , " He's a photographer who visits my studio pretty often , and I gradually realized we have a lot in common . He asked me out a couple of days ago and said he wants to take me to Europe to see The moderat culture and historical sites . " " Ave we achupally known each other for a while now . He's really good to me , and he loves me very much . And L really like being with him , too After i finnakert , ne devier table was still shrouded in silence béartient hughes asked , " Butorey , you've never mentioned him before . Why so sudden ? " li kaps any senata im place . " Because you've always seen me as part of the family , as your future Chapter 5 daughter - in - law , and I was afraid it would break your hearts . But I've been thinking about it lately . I may not be your daughter - in - law, but I can still be your daughter , right ? I don't want to be stuck in the past anymore . I'm only twenty - eight . I have a long life ahead of me , and I can't just stay trapped in my memories . " Mr. Hughes cut straight to the point . " Aubrey , be honest with us . Is this man real ? " I flinched . A businessman for so many years , Mr. Hughes was an expert at reading people . He had instantly zeroed in on the heart of the matter . I nodded . " I'll bring him over in a few days . You can meet him and help me vet him . " I turned back to look at Hayden . " You should bring Isabelle , too . You're both my family . As my brother and future sister - in - law , you have to be there the first time I bring a boyfriend home . " Hayden's expression was unreadable . " Are you serious ? " " Of course ," I said , my voice as light as air . " And if you approve of your future brother - in - law , you'd better be ready to give us a generous wedding gift . " This was a dinner destined to be enjoyed by no one . Everyone was wrestling with a storm of emotions . Mr. and Madam Hughes were skeptical , picking at their food with hesitation . Hayden just stared down at his plate , silent . Only I ate with genuine , unrestrained joy . " Mrs. Webb , your shrimp is getting better and better ! It's so fresh and sweet . You should make this again . when I bring him over in a few days . He has to taste how amazing a cook you are . " Mrs. Webb smiled and nodded , but it couldn't hide the worry on her face . After dinner , I went back to my bedroom to rest . I took off the wig , setting it aside , and sat down at my vanity to remove my makeup . Back when I was in school , I never imagined I'd end up being my own makeup artist . With no one to teach me , I had to figure it all out myself . My skills weren't great , but they weren't terrible , either . It was just that my lips had grown so pale lately that I had to switch to a brighter shade of lipstick just to look a little healthier . Taking off the makeup was like removing an exquisite mask , revealing the same pale , withered face underneath . * Knock , knock , knock- * 2/5 Chapter 5 The door rapped . I thought it was Mrs. Webb and called out , " Come in . " I never expected it to be Hayden . His footsteps were so light I didn't even notice him until he was standing right behind me . " Aubrey . " At the sound of his voice , my hand paused mid - wipe . I could see his reflection in the mirror . " Why haven't you left yet ? " Hayden said , " Are you that eager for me to leave ? " I shook my head . " I'm just surprised . You're usually in such a hurry to go every time you come home . What's different today ? " Hayden didn't answer my question . Instead , he asked , " Is your cold that bad this time ? " It didn't click at first . It took me a second to realize he was talking about my pale complexion . I laughed . " It's not just the cold . He's been dragging me all over the place to take pictures these last few days . I'm just exhausted . " Hayden said nothing . I asked him directly , " Is there something you want to say to me ? " Hayden took a deep breath . " No. " " Then why did you come looking for me ? " " No reason . " " If you have something to say , just say it. We grew up together . Even if we're not going to be a couple , the bond we have is still there . " I turned to look at him . " Do you need me to go explain things to Isabelle for you ? " Hayden's Adam's apple bobbed . He looked like he wanted to say something but couldn't . But I knew I'd hit the nail on the head . " Let's make it this Saturday , then . We'll both bring our partners over . The second Isabelle sees my boyfriend , any misunderstanding you two have will be cleared up . Don't worry . As long as you stand firm , Mr. and Madam Hughes will eventually come around and accept her . You're their only son , after all . They're not going to watch you grow old alone . " Hayden was still silent . 3/5 Chapter 5 I added with another smile , " Tell Isabelle not to be afraid , either . I'll be there . I'll help her . " " Aubrey , " he finally spoke . " Hm ? " " Are you really in love with someone else ? " I let out a disbelieving laugh . " What , you think I'd invent a non - existent person just to help you and Isabelle get together ? I'm not that selfless or altruistic . " Hayden suddenly let out a breath of relief . " Good . " " Hayden , let's just be like brother and sister from now on ." " Okay , " he nodded , a genuine sense of relief washing over him . " When you two get married , I'll throw you a huge wedding . " " No need . We've already talked it over . We're going to have a destination wedding while we travel through Europe . See the Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris and the Palace of Versailles . " " You can still have the wedding first . " I laughed out loud . " You clearly don't get it . Artists like him can't stand all that conventional formality and red tape . Being stared at like monkeys in a zoo at a wedding ... he doesn't like it , and neither do I. " With his worries resolved , a smile finally appeared on Hayden's face . " Alright , then . Whatever you two want . " " Mhm . " " I'm heading out now . " "Okay . By the way , Hayden , on Saturday , remember to have Isabelle dress a little more gentle and ladylike . Mr. and Madam Hughes prefer girls who are more on the quiet , sweet side . " " Okay , thanks . " " You're welcome , Hayden . " As the sound of Hayden's footsteps faded away , I finally let my smile drop . * God , acting is exhausting . * * My face is going to freeze like this . * " Aubrey . " Hayden's voice suddenly came from the bedroom doorway . * He's still here ? * 4/5 Chapter 5 I quickly plastered a cheerful smile back on my face and turned to look at him . " What's up , Hayden ? " He said , " You need to drink more water . Your voice is getting hoarse . " My heart skipped a beat . A sharp sting hit my eyes , and tears instantly welled up . I quickly turned my head away from him , fighting back a sob as I managed to reply , " Okay , I'll go down and get some in a bit . " " Drink something hot , not cold . " Mhm . " " If water's too bland , have Mrs. Webb make you some tea , or maybe some juice . " " Okay , " Tm really leaving now . " " Drive safe . " " Bye . " " Bye , Hayden . " He was gone . I stood by the window , watching his taillights slowly vanish into the night . In my heart , I said my own goodbye . * Hayden , this time , it's really goodbye . *