C2 Engagement Ring

Helen’s POV

"No."

There is a stretching silence. Everybody is holding their breath as if Dylan was a kind of volcano and is ready to erupt at any second.

I feel pity for myself that I flinch a little due to the uncontrollable upset, yet at the same time, I am proud of myself for managing to hold my stand like a courageous medieval knight. I have a talent for pretending to be fearless.

The truth is that the moment I give this answer, I already feel regretful because I can tell this answer is unwise and it probably will cause me thousands of troubles. But the tricky thing is if I sacrificed my dignity and apologized to him, I would feel regretful, as well.

Dylan stares at me for a long time and suddenly steps closer. I can't help but take a step back. What is he trying to do? Yank my hair? Kick me? Or strangle me to death? Well, strangling is too much, he can't murder me in front of all the students. My mind is drifting away as I hear a soft murmur, coming from the devil.

I am freaking out when I find Dylan's eyes lingering on my neck. He can't really plan a murder, can he?

"Where did you get this?" he asks.

"What?" I glance down and relax a little.

Of course, he was not planning a murder, he just wants to know about my necklace.

That is even weirder. What I am wearing is a gray-green rock pendant, too ordinary to be noticed by someone like Dylan.

Indeed, there was a story behind this necklace, and the last thing I would do is to share it with Dylan. I am pretty sure he would mock me and my necklace with sarcastic words.

"I don't remember.” I lie. But the memory I tried to bury has been triggered and it starts to overwhelm me.

I always keep my promise yet I did break one many years ago. On a summer vacation, my parents took me to the seaside but they spent the most time watching TV in the hotel room. I felt very bored so I sneaked outside to collect some seashells on the beach.

There I encountered a boy who was really good at building sandcastles. We played sand for a while and then spent the rest afternoon playing house. He led the play, announcing that he would be the prince and I would be his beloved princess. Then he showed me all his trophies and asked me to pick one as an engagement ring. Among all the splendid stones and seashells I chose a gray-green one. I forgot the reason but remember I didn't choose it randomly.

"Here you are.” the boy drawled as he carefully put the stone on my palm and he gave me a sleepy smile.

After the engagement, we sat under a giant coconut tree, seriously discussing how we should protect our people from dangerous creatures. We had a great time yet when my parents came out to look for me and found what we were doing, they laughed and dragged me back to the hotel because it was time for dinner.

It is a shame to admit that I actually cried because of the heartbreaking separation. I thought I lost my soulmate if such a thing ever existed. My tears kept rolling down and my fiancé hugged me so tightly as if he would never let me go.

But he loosened his grip eventually.

He asked me to meet him at the same place the next day. I said yes but I failed to make it. That night we checked out the hotel and went home because dad was hurried to address some business issues. I cried so hard at the airport that an old couple sitting next to our seats actually asked me if I was kidnapped.

After I explained to them that I was forced to leave my soulmate, they can't help but laugh. I didn't find it funny at all but as time goes by, I gradually understand the reason.

The romantic relationship I cherished so much was just a plot co-created by the boy and me, nothing more. It is like a drama show, when the play comes to an end, actors and actresses should embrace the applause and leave the stage, going back to reality. As for those who refuse to believe there are differences between story and reality? Well, they will be heartbroken for a moment and then be healed by the time.

Dad told me that the pain I suffered could immediately stop if I let the memory go and move on. Unfortunately, I happened to be a sentimental child, so it took me a long time to forget that childish romance.

I did try my best and it worked to a certain extent. But the truth is, no matter how I suppress that memory, it appears in my dream from time to time, forcing me to remember. The scenes become weirder and weirder and the plots are more twisted than sweet. Maybe it is a curse from my fiancé. I broke the promise and this is what I deserve.

"Did you steal it from someone?” Dylan's words suddenly snap me out of my thoughts. The venom in his words sends a shiver down my spine.

"I am not a thief. Besides, why would I steal something like this? It is cheap and outdated.” I am angered by his invalid accusation.

"And why are you wearing it if you think it is cheap and outdated?” he raises one of his eyebrows and smirks.

"None of your business.”

"Come on, I am curious.”

"And why should I satisfy your curiosity?” I glare at him. Why this world must be full of arrogant assholes who always consider themselves the center of the world?

"This is your last chance to save yourself.” Dylan cocks his head and gives me a devilish smile. "From what?”

Dylan ignores my questions and sighs dramatically. He clears his throat and leans closer to me, whispering to my ears.

"Now I will give you three seconds to consider this offer. Ready? I'm starting to count. One, two——"

"All right! It is a Christmas gift from my parent, ok? My mom just loves stones and I have no idea why she gives this to me. I don't like this stupid necklace but I need to wear it or my mom won't be happy. Are you satisfied now?" I grit my teeth and hate myself for lying so many times in a single day.

I had thought Dylan would believe this story and see me as a timid person who has no gut to piss off her parents. But what he says is really, really beyond my expectations.

He stares at me with coldness in his eyes and finally says, “Liar.”