Chapter 1 Happy Birthday

“Lyla, if… hypothetically speaking, if I did something to wrong you, would you forgive me?” Titus Shaw said to the girl standing in front of him. His eyes flickered with uncertainty.

Lyla Lowe smiled, her eyes and teeth accentuated, albeit it being a faint smile. She shook her head decisively and said one word.

“No!”

Even though she looked young, she was still old enough to know better.

Titus Shaw's eyes looked down dejectedly after hearing her answer.

Lyla Lowe smiled instead and looked at him, treating the question as nothing.

“If you knew you would wrong me, why would you do it in the first place? I would not let you have that chance to do me wrong!”

Titus Shaw laughed bitterly. He raised his gaze to meet hers. His eyes were steeled with determination.

“Lyla, I promise that I will make you happy! I promise you that!”

Lyla Lowe nodded softly.

“Mhm. I believe you. You know that I’ll support you in anything you want.”

After that, Titus took her into his embrace.

“Lyla, for your birthday tomorrow, please meet me at Aria’s, room 309,” said Titus as he handed a keycard to her.

Lyla was slightly shocked as she looked at the keycard in her hand with disbelief.

Titus laughed as he looked into her face that was expressing cute, child-like innocence.

“Relax. I’m only going to celebrate your birthday there. Nothing else!”

Lyla finally drew a breath of relief.

“But that place is expensive…”

“Hush now. Say nothing more. If it’s you, it’s all worth it. I’ll be waiting!” said Titus hurriedly, fearing that she would break his guarded form if she continued the exchange.

In the end, Lyla smiled at Titus and nodded.

The following day at nine in the evening, Lyla arrived on time.

With the keycard in her hand, she came to room 309.

She stood at the door and took a long, deep breath. She inserted the card into the slot, and with a chime, the door was unlocked. She pushed the door open and walked in.

As expected, Titus was already inside waiting for her. He was setting a bottle of red wine on top of a table when he saw her. At that moment, he was dazzled. Even though Lyla was just nineteen, her beauty was difficult for one’s gaze to be averted.