A sour feeling appeared in my mouth as the picture of him and Tess from that night flashed through my mind. Did they really have anything at all between them? If they did, then he should’ve at least felt some discomfort that the girl he used to date was going to marry his cousin, who was more like a brother to him. But it seemed like it didn’t affect him at all.

If there wasn’t anything like that, then what was it that I saw? The intensity between them, the passion…

My hands balled into fists, my chest constricted. But I managed a calm façade before him. Years of practice, how could I not manage?

“I’ve got something in my mind for Caleb, but I don’t know what to get Tess. Yes, she’s my best friend, but as her sister, and a girl, you’d know better.” He assessed my face, as if searching for something in there. Did he know of my inner turmoil? The turmoil that was getting more difficult day by day to cage in.

I stayed silent, lost in my own thoughts.

“You’re mine.”

What did he mean? After all these years, the years he maybe didn’t even care where his best friend’s little sister was. And now out of nowhere he called me his? He wanted me? When did this happen? I didn’t believe he just fell for me after just seeing me at that party.

“Here, I’m sure you’ll love this one, ma’am. This is one of the best pieces of necklace in our store,” the manager of this renowned jewelry outlet said. He was there to greet us himself. And why not? The great Achilles Valencian was in his store.

I mentally rolled my eyes.

I didn’t want to help him find a gift, but I couldn’t just say no to those stormy grays. I knew I was being stupid and weak. But… I couldn’t help it.

And we were here because Tess was obsessed with diamonds and clothes.

Shaking my head, I passed another piece of necklace. They were too heavy. “Show me something light and contemporary.”

At Achilles’s nod, the manager took off to show me some more of their collections that I finally might like. I didn’t know much of Tess’s choice, but I knew she was fond of trying the brand-new designs in the market.

Twirling the bracket on my wrist, I scanned the jewelries on display. Then something caught my eye. A simple pendant with a diamond cut emerald in the middle. The tiny rubies that surrounded the emerald made it more gorgeous than it already was.

I wasn’t fond of emeralds before, but the tiny ones in my bracelet had won my heart.

I wonder who left this beautiful bracelet before my door that day...