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Chapter 46
Gale shrugged as he traced back his memories.
“Was it Ray… or Chris? I’m not sure. But Ian already has a partner, doesn’t he?”
It was as if he was implying that with the homecoming party happening tomorrow, it was far too late to find a new partner now.
Ian didn’t bother to correct his misconception.
He simply didn’t see any need to.
“Want me to check for you?”
“No, it’s fine.”
Although Gale kindly offered, Ian refused without hesitation. He didn’t want Gale using the excuse of ‘asking questions’ to flirt with Sian.
Just as Ian, suppressing his slight annoyance, was about to turn to another source for information, a voice cut in:
“I know who you are.”
Blay, who had been eavesdropping on the two men, interjected as if he’d been waiting for the right moment.
Ian raised an eyebrow in suspicion at this unexpected figure suddenly acknowledging him.
“You know?”
“Yeah. Aaron Simmons. Sian’s partner.”
Sian already had a partner, so stay out of it. Despite Blay’s almost pitiful effort to reduce the competition, Ian remained completely unfazed.
If anything, he was suspicious of how Blay knew who Sian’s partner was—information that even Gale, in the same year as them, didn’t know.
And why didn’t he call Sian “Siana” like everyone else?
“Why do you… never mind.”
“What? You stopped mid-sentence.”
“It’s fine. Forget it.”
Now that he realized Sian was his own sister, there were countless things that piqued Ian’s concern. But it wasn’t something he could openly address in front of others.
Postponing Blay’s interrogation for later, Ian rubbed his chin.
“Anyway… Aaron, huh…”
As he had already told Sian, Aaron was a fairly good match for her. They had even prepared together for several competitions in the past.
Although Aaron wasn’t particularly sociable, he was exceptionally talented and diligent.
If Sian were to marry someone, he would be an ideal candidate.
Besides, Simmons is also the second son of the New York Viewfinder chairman.
Ian’s thoughts briefly wandered there before he realized, with self-deprecation, that his way of thinking was much like the Morgan couple he so despised.
He could only hope that Sian would never realize it. That she would remain oblivious forever.
Meanwhile, since Ian showed no sign of jealousy, Blay felt offended in his own way.
He remembered himself—how he had spent the whole day agonizing over why Sian had chosen Aaron over him… how he had not been able to let go for days, and even clumsily asked if Aaron was still her partner.
But why is this guy so… calm?
Blay glared at Ian, wanting to yell at him for being infuriatingly nonchalant. It was clear Ian didn’t like Sian as much as he did.
He doesn’t deserve Sian’s love.
Yet despite that, Ian was the one chosen by Sian. Remembering how Sian had chased after the fallen Ian, Blay felt the injustice of it all, boiling inside him.
Unable to contain himself, he finally snapped at Ian:
“Focus on your own partner. Don’t get distracted. Gale, you too. Got it?”
Gale, scolded merely for being present, blinked in disbelief at Blay.
Blay, swallowing his anger, turned away from them.
“Wait… why did I just get scolded? Does Ian even know?”
Ian and the remaining Gale sought an answer, but none came. Ian’s mind was just as tangled.
That reaction… could it be…
Could it be that Blay actually liked Sian?
He shook off the ominous thought.
No, that can’t be.
Blay had been around long enough for Ian to know he never took anyone seriously, never built relationships—he was like the wind. Light and fleeting with everyone, except Ian himself.
This was why Ian couldn’t accept Blay as Sian’s potential romantic interest.
He’ll just give up eventually.
Swallowing that hope, Ian forced himself to ignore Blay.
The long-awaited Saturday night.
Aaron, finally swapping glasses for contact lenses and sweeping his bangs back, got out of the car with a nervous expression. He had arrived in front of Sian’s house, ready to proudly escort her as her partner.
“Straighten your shoulders, relax your face, don’t chicken out.”
Dylan, peeking through the window, giggled.
Aaron had never been nervous during competitions, yet here he was… flushed to the earlobes.
“Shut up, Dylan,” Aaron growled, warning him.
Despite his harsh tone, Dylan, sitting in the driver’s seat, grinned mischievously.
“Whoa, watch your mouth! Does your partner know you speak like that?”
“Shut up…”
Trying not to be overheard by Sian inside, Aaron lowered his voice. Dylan laughed so hard he even cried.
“Wow… the day has finally come when you’re escorting a girl. Don’t tell me the world’s ending tomorrow.”
Aaron tightly shut his eyes in frustration.
Unfortunately, he had only recently turned of age and didn’t have a driver’s license. He had told his parents he needed a car to go to the party, but somehow Dylan, his older brother, had arrived driving a limousine himself.
This is doomed.
Seeing Dylan’s unstoppable grin, Aaron realized that his plans had already gone spectacularly wrong—before he even properly escorted Sian.
Dylan finally stopped laughing, handing him a warning.
“Alright, enough teasing. Go get your partner.”
“Don’t say stupid things in front of Siana.”
“Her name is Siana? Got it.”
Aaron tried to sound threatening, but Dylan continued joking. There was no choice but to proceed.
Sighing, Aaron adjusted the bouquet and stood at the front door.
“Hmmph.”
Clearing his throat, he pressed the doorbell.
“Just a moment.”
Since Aaron’s visit was expected, no one asked who it was.
Probably Siana’s father… right?
As he guessed the owner of the voice, his expression grew paler. He worried that Siana’s father might dislike him.
The footsteps behind the door grew closer, and soon it opened to reveal a middle-aged man.
“Ah, hello.”
Aaron, stumbling over his words, wanted to die on the spot.
He quickly composed himself.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Aaron Simmons.”
Despite his stiff, robotic introduction, the man silently scanned him from head to toe.
Neatly styled hair.
A well-fitted black suit and polished shoes.
Hands holding the slightly trembling bouquet.
The man smiled broadly—Aaron had passed the inspection.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Michael Rogers, Sian’s father.”
Aaron pressed his lips together. He had no idea how to converse with his partner’s father in this first-time situation. At that moment, he wished he could be Blay Williams instead. That man could handle this effortlessly.
I should have asked Dylan for advice.
Regret settled deep in his chest, but there was no turning back.
Silence stretched until Michael kindly spoke first, noticing Aaron’s tension.
“Did you buy that flower for our daughter?”
Startled into action, Aaron quickly responded:
“No, it’s actually for both of you. This is my first time at Siana’s house…”
In other words, it was a bribe hoping to make a good impression on Siana’s parents.
Fortunately, Michael accepted it happily.
“My wife will love it. Thank you.”
“No, thank you, sir.”
Aaron didn’t even know what he was saying—he just hoped it wasn’t nonsense.
“Our daughter likes Lissianshers. Keep that in mind next time.”
Even in his distracted state, Aaron registered the name clearly.
“Anyway, welcome to our home. Make yourself comfortable.”
Michael closed the door behind him and asked,
“How are you getting to the party?”
“My older brother will take me.”
“Good, that’s a relief.”
If Aaron had brought his own car, Michael seemed like he would have taken the wheel himself.
“Are you going to the after-party with Sian?”
So Siana’s parents call her “Sian,” Aaron noted, politely replying. He’d never been so courteous in his life.
“If that’s what Sian wants.”
Aaron even replaced “Siana” with “Sian.” But it was clearly wrong—Michael’s expression stiffened.
“You can have fun… but be sure to return by 10.”
“Yes, absolutely.”
Aaron bowed in agreement, and Michael patted his shoulder kindly.
“Ready to meet Sian?”
Realizing that Michael had been trying to ease his tension, Aaron blushed.
“First times are always difficult.”
Michael, understanding, called into the house,
“Sian, you may come out now.”
The doorknob moved, and the door swung wide open.
Moments later, Sian appeared, the hem of her dress fluttering like heat waves as she stepped into view.
