When I asked Tobias for the car keys, excusing of not feeling well, he requested me to stay until the announcement and cake cutting. I agreed to stay until the announcement, only for Mom and Dad. I didn’t want them to worry. And the entire time, I ignored a pair of scorching eyes on me.

I needed to get away if I wanted to keep my sanity intact.

The blaring of my phone alarm woke me from my sleep that had come to me with much difficulty last night. The soft beams of morning sun fell into the room, causing me to squint. Letting out a yawn, I sat up.

My head felt heavy. And soon my heart followed as the memories of last night flew in.

Closing my eyes, I pinched the bridge of my nose. Just a few more days, and then I will be gone.

The buzz of my mobile caught my attention.

Must be one of the girls.

Reaching out, I grabbed my phone and saw a message from an unknown number.

Good morning, my Rosebud! Hope you had a good night’s sleep.

My heart skipped a beat. Ace?

My hands curled around the phone. What did he want now? Was my behavior last night not enough to clarify that I didn’t want to do anything with him? Even though he didn’t know the reason, I didn’t care.

I thought to reply to him with a ‘back off’ but didn’t. Deleting the message, I threw my phone back on the bed and padded into the washroom.

“So? What’re you gonna do now?” Cassie raised her brow when Beth munched on the chocolate chips she brought with her.

They came to hang out at my place and together we had breakfast. Then we sat before the TV, sprawling on the leather couches. Mom and Dad went shopping right after breakfast for Tess’s upcoming engagement party. And Warner tagged along happily. Good thing I could share everything with the girls without fearing about anyone overhearing.

“I don’t know. And it doesn’t matter, you know? He is just being polite to me as a family friend, that’s all,” I replied.

“And ‘ow do you ‘ow that?” Beth asked with her mouth filled with chips.

I shrugged. “Why else was he being so nice all of a sudden then? Before I moved to New York, he was never around. And even when he was, he never said a word to me, which I was grateful for. But now, after all these years, he is suddenly so nice to me. Calling me Rosebud like nothing happened.”

Both of them listened to my blabbering with utmost attention.

“Hmm, it’s confusing,” Cassie hummed. “Maybe you’re right. But then you said he remembered what he said on your ninth birthday?”