After we officially established our relationship, Sebastian became even more clingy. He learned that I was returning to my home country, and naturally, he didn't want to let me go. But I didn't want to miss this opportunity.
Unable to resist, he agreed, but only on the condition that he accompany me. Returning to my old home, I was filled with countless emotions.
We came back a few days earlier than planned specifically to revisit the place. I took Sebastian back to my house.
He had been here before.
Our first meeting was quite an extraordinary one.
He had been kidnapped and brought here, badly injured, only to escape and stumble upon my father, a kind stranger passing by. My father courageously fought off the kidnappers; had he not known to alert the authorities beforehand, he likely wouldn't have survived. After he recovered, Sebastian, along with his parents, came to thank my father with an array of lavish gifts.
I'll never forget how Sebastian looked that day.
He was the most handsome man I had ever seen, both then and in the years that followed.
I don't remember if I had any feelings for him at that time, maybe I did, but they were overshadowed by my deep self-doubt.
Even a single gift from him back then was worth an entire year's salary for my parents.
Who would have thought that, after all this time, he would now be by my side?
We then visited my alma mater and the restaurant we used to frequent.
Before we went, I had been worried the owner would know something about me and only wanted to take a distant glance.
But when we arrived, I realized the place had changed owners.
I was a bit thirsty, so Sebastian went to get me some coffee.
With nothing else to do while waiting, I wandered into the neighboring store to inquire about the change.
Turns out the owner's daughter-in-law had given birth, so she decided to close the store and return to her hometown to care for her grandson.
The owner of the neighboring shop commented, "You students sure are nostalgic."
"There's an old student who's always coming back to visit over the last couple of years. I wonder if you know him?" My heart skipped a beat, and I asked, "Can you describe what he looks like?"
"He's tall and handsome, oh wait, here he comes. You can see for yourself!"
I slowly turned around.
And there he was—Julian Fitzgerald.
