Chapter 2
727 Words
Once the conversation inside came to an end, Daisy finally pushed open the door to the private dining room.
The moment James saw her, he narrowed his eyes and spoke in an indifferent tone.
"What are you doing here?"
Daisy had barely opened her mouth when James ignored her again and went back to drinking with his friends.
She stood alone in the middle of the room, as though she were invisible.
A bitter smile tugged at her lips.
Wasn't it always like this?
Every time they gathered, she was always the outsider.
It wasn't as though she had never tried to get along with James' friends.
She had bought them gifts.
She had treated them to meals.
Yet they had always remained distant.
For the longest time, she'd thought she simply wasn't likable.
Only now did she realize they had done it on purpose...
James included.
Whenever he looked at her, his gaze was always indifferent.
Even when she carefully picked out a birthday gift based on his interests...
He would simply thank her before casually tossing it aside.
And every time, she could only stand there quietly, pretending it didn't hurt.
Now that she knew the truth, the pain had become even sharper.
Unable to stop herself, she looked at James.
Unexpectedly, he looked back at her.
Their eyes met.
This time, Daisy didn't look away.
James, however, casually averted his gaze. Yet his voice grew noticeably louder.
"Daisy, everyone else has already given me their gift. Where's yours?"
In previous years, Daisy had always been the first to arrive at his birthday gathering. She would stay by his side, chatting endlessly, and hers was always the first gift he received.
This year, however, she was strangely distant.
She noticed every subtle change in his behavior.
So even James, the man she had once believed was flawless, had moments when his true feelings slipped through the cracks.
She had simply never dared to believe he might actually like her.
That was why she had overlooked all the signs.
Lowering her eyes, Daisy picked up her phone and quietly gave a few instructions.
Moments later, the door opened.
Eight servers walked in one after another, each carrying an elegantly wrapped gift box.
Everyone in the room stared in astonishment.
Even James, who had always acted coldly toward Daisy, couldn't help stealing a few extra glances.
Daisy spoke calmly, "James, I've been chasing you for seven years. Including this year, it's been exactly eight.
"Each gift box has a number on it. Open one every day in order. When you open the eighth one, that'll be the day I confess to you again.
"It'll also be the biggest surprise I've ever prepared for you."
Hearing that, one of his friends couldn't help exclaiming, "I bet the eighth gift is an engagement ring or something. Looks like James is finally getting locked down.
"Daisy, what if he rejects you again? Why don't you give me a chance instead? I'm no worse than James."
James instinctively frowned at those last words.
A shadow briefly flashed across his eyes.
But when he looked at the eight numbered gift boxes counting down to the final day, that fleeting darkness quickly turned into a faint smile.
"Daisy, don't tell me you're actually planning to propose to me. I haven't even accepted your confession. Why would I ever accept your proposal?
"Seriously, you should think about the guy next to me instead. He's dying to be with you."
What James didn't know... was that these gifts were actually Daisy's farewell.
When he opened the last gift box, the only thing waiting for him would be the news of her upcoming wedding.
At that moment, Daisy suddenly wanted to hear the answer from his own lips.
"James... have you really never liked me? Not even once?"
The room instantly fell silent.
James shrugged. "Seriously? Are you still fantasizing? Haven't I made myself clear enough? Do I really have to say it again?
"Fine... I don't like you. I've never liked women like you. I think you're boring. And your little countdown is boring too.
"But I will admit this. I'll be happy to watch you confess to me again. After all, entertainment like this doesn't come around very often. When the time comes, I'll introduce you to another guy.
"I'm sure you'll like him."
- Writer
