Jean froze. Arthur fell in love with Jean from the first time he saw her? He actually said that he wanted to be with Jean forever, right?
Jean always thought that their relationship was probably just a fling to him. She thought that Arthur was just another rich and spoiled Casanova because of the way their relationship started. Therefore, she blocked his number and disappeared from his life right after graduation.
"I planned to take you home to meet my parents after we graduated. But I simply couldn't reach you," Arthur explained, "You broke my heart. I thought you were just playing me. That was why I tried to make things difficult for you after we reunited. I tried to get back at you. "
"Well, in my defense, I wouldn't have thought that you were playing me if you made it clear that you were being serious from the start," Jean said.
She wouldn't have left him if he could just give her the slightest hope and make her think that their relationship could go somewhere.
Arthur sighed. "I thought you knew. We were so close back then. I never expected that you would think of me that way."
Arthur wished that he could go back in time and correct his mistake. However, when he really thought about it, he realized that neither of them was wrong.
Arthur believed that he was loyal to their relationship. However, Jean thought he was just horsing around.
He thought that Jean was trying to play him. But, in fact, Jean made that choice because she wasn't sure what he was thinking.
"Those are bygones. Let's just forget about it." Arthur put his arms around Jean and said, "I just want to live happily ever after with you."
"Me too," Jean leaned in his arms and responded softly.
She wanted that as well. She also didn't want to get her heart broken.
They went back to Jean's place later that day. "How do I look? Should I go change?" In the parking lot, Arthur asked Jean nervously.
Jean answered helplessly, "No need, you already look good enough."
Hearing her compliment, Arthur instantly brightened up. "Really?"
"Yes. You look so mature, handsome, and charming." Jean teased. She wanted to see how cheeky he could be.
Jean wasn't exaggerating though. Indeed, he looked charming in his suit. No wonder Judith was so obsessed with him.
Arthur knew what she was trying to do and grunted, "I know you didn't mean that."
Then, his tone shifted. "But I'll take it anyway. Mature, handsome, and charming. Such beautiful words. I love them."
Wow, he really was cheeky! Jean was momentarily speechless.
Arthur was over-thinking after all. After they got there, Jean's mom cordially invited him in just like how his mother treated Jean that day.
"Arthur, come sit here. I made your favorite dishes." Jean's mother had already cooked a table of delicious dishes.
She learned from Jean about Arthur's taste preferences. After making his favorite dishes, she went on and prepared a few more dishes of her specialty. It was like a full-fledged banquet presented in front of the three of them.
Arthur was pleasantly overwhelmed. "Mrs. Hilgard, thank you for your hospitality. These dishes look amazing. I thought you hired a chef to make these."
"Mom, how can the three of us finish all these? Such a waste, " Jean chimed in.
Jean felt a little embarrassed under her mother's gaze. "Let's just eat," she urged.
Mrs. Hilgard woke up from her daze and asked Arthur to have a seat at the table. Then, the three started to enjoy dinner.
'Arthur lives next door. I'm like a third wheel here. I should probably leave after dinner and give them a little space.' Mrs. Hilgard thought to herself.
She planned to go home and confront her husband head-on.
She would tell him how considerate Arthur was and how good Jean and Arthur were together until her husband compromised.
A sudden ring of the doorbell broke the harmonious atmosphere at the dinner table. Jean barely knew the neighbors here. Jean and her mother wondered who could be looking for her in the middle of the night.
Jean got up from her chair to open the door. She froze at the sight of the person standing outside.
It was her father. And honestly, he didn't look happy.
Mr. Hilgard glanced past Jean and caught a glimpse of the situation in the dining room. The table of food was even more plentiful than their Christmas dinner.
His wife was beaming, and there was a young man sitting opposite her. He met the man's gaze and recognized who he was.
It was Arthur Hudgens!
Mr. Hilgard was so angry that felt that he was going to have a heart attack.
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