Shaking my head, I got up and went upstairs to get ready. Her squeal followed behind. Maybe Mom was right. Going out could help my mind off the transfer. And this way, my relationship with Tess could progress more. At least I had to try.

Gliding down the stairs, I found Tess closing the door, holding a huge teddy bear with an adorable bow around its neck. An involuntary grin stretched on my face. It was so beautiful and big that she was having difficulties holding it.

“Who brought it? Is it yours?” I asked, admiring the teddy.

“Well, my fiancé is too boring to send gifts like this! It’s for you,” she joked, rolling her eyes.

I frowned. “For me? But who’d send it for me?”

She shrugged. “There’s a note in there, check it out.”

Though I was confused, the excitement surpassed the confusion and curiosity as I grabbed the teddy from her. I took my time petting it, feeling its softness against my palm, and then I took out the note. Tess watched me with amusement.

I’ve always loved those fluffies. My room used to be filled with huge teddies. I couldn’t even sleep without some beside me. I was definitely going to keep it on my bed.

But when I opened the note, I was doubting it.

Welcome home, Rosebud. -A

Three words, and my excitement drained, and annoyance took place instead. How did he know I was back? Then my gaze landed on my sister, who was patiently waiting to know who sent this enormous gift.

Either her or my stupid brother.

“So?” she queried.

“There’s no name on it.” I swiftly put the note in my pocket. An A wasn’t a name. “If you want, you can have it.”

“Why? You don’t like it?”

I shrugged. My arms had a firm grip around it. And when she came forward to take it from me, my treacherous body stepped back, holding the teddy tight against my chest.

Her brows quirked, lips twitched at the side as she put her hands on her hips. “Well, it seems like your heart had a sudden change of mind.”

“I’ll be back in a minute.” My ears turned hot. Not knowing the reason behind my own reaction, vexed, I turned around and ran upstairs to put it in my room. But I was sane enough not to place it on my bed.

“What do you think about this one?” Tess asked, twirling in front of the mirror in the eleventh dress she’d tried this afternoon. And only two of them turned out lucky and got selected. Apparently, she was shopping for every function of her wedding except her wedding gown. That was for another day.

We even missed our lunch due to her infinite dress hunting.