Chapter 10:
Upon landing in Melbourne, I was greeted by a man whose face was familiar yet distant, like a memory just out of reach.
He stood tall among the crowd, holding a sign that read. [Welcome to Melbourne, Jocelyn
It seemed that my mother had already informed the Donovan family about my name change.
Yes, Lucy Bryan was gone
I had left her behind in the US, erased every trace of her so that Leo would never find me, no matter how hard he tried
Here in Melbourne, I was Jocelyn Nichols.
I inhaled deeply, strolling over my luggage befom walking toward the man who should be Ryan Donovan
As I approached, his face lit up with a grin. “Jocelyn, welcome!”
ick me up.”
e not. It’s the weekend anyway, so
A faint smile tugged at my lips. “Thanks,” I said. “Sorry for troubling you to come pick me up.” Ryan reached for my suitcase with an easy grace, his movements casual yet gentlemanly. “Of course I’m free”
I raised a brow. “But you’re a CEO now.”
Ryan chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “Haha, you’re right. That means I can rent you a huge exhibition hall every day now‘:
I could not help but smirk. Some things never changed.
Since childhood, Ryan had always bragged about how he would one day
lay inherit his family’s company, a business that had been
thriving since his great–grandfather’s time.
Back then, he had promised that when we grew up, he would sponsor a gallery for my paintings. Because I had always loved to paint Following in the footsteps of my father, who was once a celebrated painter, I had dreamed of showcasing my art to the world.
Our mothers had been best friends too, college roommates who had risen in the fashion industry together. They were widely known for their extraordinary designs, always creating magic on the runway.
Ryan and I had been raised under their shadows, always competing, always pushing each other to be better
But that was years ago.
I’m not in painting anymore,” I said, shrugging.
Ryan glanced at me knowingly. “Photography isn’t it?”%
I groaned, running a hand through my hair. “Argh, it must be my mom.”
Ryan let out a laugh, shaking his head.
Despite the years apart, it did not take long for the familiarity between us to settle back in.
At first, I had worried that things would be awkward. After all, it had been ten years since we last saw each other?
But Ryan was still as easy going as evet and before I knew it conversation flowed naturally.
We stood at the curb, chatting as we waited for his car to be brought around by the valet
I still remembered when his family had suddenly moved away when we were kids.
I had been twelve, while Ryan was an older brother who was three years older than me. I
Instead of our age differences, he was matching my height, always challenging me, always trying to prove he was better?
But then, twenty–five Ryan was taller than me, more refined, with the confident demeanor of a man who had grown into his own.
My little rival, the one who once pouted when he lost to me in childhood races, that time stood before me as a sweet, bright–eyed man, looking at me with the same enthusiasm as before.?
“Your hair is a bit darker.. or is my memory missing fragments of you?” Ryan asked after we settled into the car!
I glanced at him, surprised he noticed. “I dyed it” I answered shortly.
Leo was the reason.
He once told me he liked brunette girls. So, like a fool, I had dyed my strawberry–blonde hair, thinking it would make h more X
And yet, the irony of it all? The woman he really loved, Sara, was a natural brunette
And what did she do? She dyed her hair blonde.
“What a disgusting fetish I thought bitterly.
“I see. Ryan said, nodding as he switched lanes. “You’re beautiful in any color?
I blinked, caught off guard.
him love me
it was the first time a man had ever said something like that to me, not because I changed for him, but simply because I was me.!!
A warmth crept up my neck, but I quickly brushed it off and changed the subject “Anyway, could you show me how to get to the university? What’s the best way, bus or tax?”
Ryan did not push the moment. “Well, he replied casually. “We can see tomorrow. It’s Sunday, so I’ll take you around Melboume! “But for today, my parents want to meet you in person first. They’ve prepared a welcome dinner since they’re heading out of town tonight for business.”
12:20 PM
Inodded. “Okay, thanks.“):
As we arrived at the restaurant, I spotted Ryan’s parents already seated, waiting for us X
His mother’s face lit up the moment she saw me. “Oh, Jocelyn! Look at you, so grown up and beautiful!”
I smiled politely, taking my seat. “Thank you, Auntie. It’s been a long time.“”
Ryan’s mother chuckled, her eyes twinkling with mischief, “A long time, indeed. Do you know how often Ryan kept checking the calendar, waiting for your arrival?”
I felt my checks heat up at her words.
Ryan let out a quiet groan beside me. “Mom, please.“\
Ignoring him, his mother continued, looking absolutely delighted as she reminisced
“You know, Ryan was unusually caring toward you too when you were kids.”
I tilted my head slightly, curious.
“You two were inseparable,” she continued. “You used to sleep together so often, always insisting on camping out in the yard, even when it was freezing.”
Ryan cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. “Mom
“And ch!” she clapped her hands, laughing. “The two of you used to take baths together too!”
I nearly choked on my drink, my face burning. What?!
Ryan groaned loudly, rubbing his temples. “Mom, I told you not to bring that up randomly”
His father, who had been quietly enjoying his wine, chuckled. “Ah, young love.“X
now that you’re
you’re both adults. But we’re not
Ryan’s mother waved a hand, smiling “Right, right, I’m sorry. You must feel awkward now forcing anything, just relax”
Then she looked at me with hopeful eyes. “If you two do get married one day, thank God. If it ends differently, well that’s fine too🙂
Her expectant gaze made my heart race.
I just escaped a relationship. How could I jump into another one that fast,
