That evening, there was a business gathering, mostly attended by high-ranking leaders of various companies.
On the way there, for some unknown reason, Alden took out a necklace from his pocket and placed it around my neck.
I remembered that necklace—it was a birthday gift from him on my 25th birthday.
Back then, I was obsessed with the "Heart of the Ocean" from Titanic, and the necklace resembled that. The deep blue heart-shaped diamond was surrounded by a circle of small diamonds, sparkling with fire, and the clasp had my name engraved on it.
But back then, Alden was still a student, and he told me the diamond was fake.
Still, it looked dazzling, probably just a Moissanite.
When we broke up, I yanked the necklace off and threw it at him, telling him not to bother me anymore.
Now, for some reason, he placed it back around my neck.
The room was full of the rich and powerful, and here I was, wearing a fake necklace, feeling a little guilty.
Alden introduced me to several company leaders who would be a great help for the City Square project.
Everyone treated Alden with the utmost respect, and when their eyes turned to me, there was always an unspoken look of curiosity.
Some even made sarcastic remarks:
"Miss Velez, long time no see. Your future is bright."
Alden blocked some of the alcohol for me, and I couldn't help but remind him:
"You have a stomach problem. Don't drink."
He lowered his head slightly and gave me a gentle smile: "Alright, then I won't drink."
That smile was so tender that for a moment, I found myself lost in it, as if I were seeing Alden Everett from five years ago.
Back then, I often saw him taking medicine, but at the same time, I would catch him drinking ice-cold water.
Unable to resist, I mocked him: "Stomach hurting and you drink ice water? Do you want to die?"
He always looked like a child caught in the act, a little sheepish.
"I'll stop drinking it, I promise," he said.
"Whether."
Back then, I was full of thorns, always bullying him, but there were times I couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
"Hi! Alden, you're here too?"
A sweet voice pulled me back from my thoughts, and a girl with delicate features and a beaming smile walked toward us.
Alden gave a slight nod, acknowledging her, but didn't seem too interested.
The girl, noticing me standing beside him, asked curiously, "Is she your new secretary? She's beautiful!"
Alden suddenly wrapped his arm around my waist.
"She's not my secretary," he said, looking directly into my eyes with a slight smirk, "She's my Brooks."
"I didn't know you had a Brooks, but you two really do look alike."
The girl smiled as she looked us over.
Alden responded with an indifferent smile, "Is that so?"
"Yes, you both have very similar eyes."
Her gaze then shifted to my neck, where the necklace gleamed brightly. She exclaimed, "Brooks, your necklace is so beautiful and shiny!"
Well, Moissanite definitely sparkles even more than a real diamond.
I instinctively raised my hand to cover it and quickly changed the topic. "Yours is beautiful too."
She smiled sweetly. "It's a birthday gift from Alden. I really like it."
Her words were like cold water splashed on me. I snapped back into reality and simply replied, "Alden has great taste."
"You two continue talking, I'm going to the restroom."
