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1170 Words
At that time, he had just entered his senior year, while Amelia was attending an elite middle school. Since it only offered lower grades, they were not in the same school.
Thus, it was by sheer chance that Ethan stumbled into Amelia's world. He realized even then that he no longer regarded Amelia as a younger sister, but what could he do? His purpose in coming to this family had already destined him to hide his feelings for her.
For a period, he treated her with cold indifference. Amelia, deeply hurt and without understanding why, would often linger by his door, quietly weeping. She cried, but he was the one in pain. On those tear-filled nights, he never once found sleep.
He kept his distance, even going abroad to study, all in an attempt to avoid her.
It wasn't until her eighteenth birthday that she, with a radiant smile and newfound courage, looked at him. Her flawless, fair skin glowed, and her silky hair cascaded gently over her shoulders.
His heart stirred!
Yes, for the first time, his pulse raced. After two years abroad, he returned to find her transformed beyond recognition.
"Brother, can we make up, please?"
Make up? They had never quarreled; it was he who had continually distanced himself. This silly girl thought she had done something wrong. During his time abroad, she sent a letter every week, endearingly calling him "big brother" and reminding him to take care of himself.
Even his own mother had not shown him such care.
Did she realize that, during those lonely days, her letters were his only comfort?
"Yes!" Damn it, he agreed before he could think, his mouth betraying him in a rare lapse of composure.
Fate, ever inscrutable, had consequences he couldn't have foreseen. From the start, he hadn't cherished her enough, and so the heavens punished him, never allowing him to see her again.
Amelia, I love you, yet I dare not say it.
Henry took a sharp, cold breath, watching as something crystalline glistened in Thomas's eyes. Could those be tears? Was he mistaken?
Unbelieving, Henry blinked hard. When he looked again, Thomas had returned to normal, as if it had all been a mirage.
Backstage.
Amelia, wearing her earpiece, paced anxiously in circles, speaking urgently to the person on the other end.
"I did arrange everything... but now I can't find her anywhere."
Moments before the show, one of the models had vanished, leaving everyone waiting.
Amelia's face grew visibly strained as she received another update.
"What happened?" Olivia hurried over, looking confused.
The final show was delayed, and the event director had already called her, questioning the choice of models she had recommended.
The director added that it was precisely because of their trust in Amelia that they allowed her recommendations, and now, her absence threatened to ruin the show.
"One of the models is missing," Amelia replied hoarsely.
"Missing? How can a person simply disappear?"
"Did you search everywhere?" Olivia asked quickly.
"Yes, but no trace."
"Don't worry. Let's think of a solution. We don't have time to bring another model in. If necessary..."
Amelia remembered something - each model's outfit had a backup. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes momentarily, then opened them with resolve.
"I'll go on!"
Everyone backstage froze in astonishment.
The curtain rose, and the lights dimmed.
Models filed onto the stage in graceful order, flashes popping around them.
Amelia wore a deep blue lace gown with a long, flowing hem that trailed elegantly behind her, giving her an ethereal and refined beauty. Her face was bare, her skin unblemished and delicate as that of a newborn.
"Mom, you're hurting me." Little Emily, eyes brimming with tears, looked at the small hand her mother held, its skin reddening.
Amelia quickly released her daughter's hand, guilt washing over her as she saw the reddened mark.
"Emily, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."
Though she appeared calm, her heart was surging with doubt. She regretted, even panicked, at her hasty decision to go on stage-she knew nothing of modeling and dreaded making a fool of herself.
"It's alright," Olivia reassured her, "just walk naturally. Get to the end and back safely, that's all that matters."
Olivia's own concern showed. She worried Amelia might embarrass herself, which would surely ruin the show.
"You're so beautiful, Mom!" Emily cheered encouragingly from the side.
Olivia smiled, cracking jokes to lighten the mood and relax her.
"You've got quite the figure, like a true model. Who would guess you're a mother?"
It was true.
Amelia smiled, though her gaze turned steely as she prepared to enter. She lifted the dark blue mask in her hand and secured it over her face.
When the mask went on, even Olivia was taken aback.
She had thought the mask would hide Amelia's allure, but to her astonishment, it only heightened her appeal, evoking a powerful urge to uncover the mystery beneath.
There was an undeniable allure in her eyes.
"Olivia, please keep an eye on Emily."
With her moment drawing close, Amelia's nerves rendered her nearly speechless.
"Go! You've got this!" Olivia encouraged, patting her shoulder.
The lighting shifted, from a soft green to a delicate blue, matching her gown.
Taking a deep breath, Amelia took her first step forward.
As the gentle music began, Amelia glided down the runway, her steps perfectly in time with the rhythm.
The moment she appeared, silence fell over the room as heads turned, eyes drawn irresistibly to her.
The deep blue gown under matching lights lent an otherworldly quality to her, and her crystal mask sparkled under the glow.
With no time for makeup, Amelia had simply grabbed a mask. As the only model masked, she exuded a mystique that stirred the audience's curiosity.
"Look at those eyes. A beauty for certain," a debonair gentleman murmured, stroking his chin, entirely sure of himself.
Amelia's mind was blank. All she could think was not to fall. Her gaze drifted absently ahead -
And fell upon a figure that almost made her stumble.
Thomas rested his chin in one hand, lazily swirling a glass of wine in the other, his eyes half-closed in contemplation.
At the exact moment their eyes met, Thomas's glass shattered in his hand with a sharp crash that echoed through the hall, drawing every gaze his way.
Thomas steadied his racing heart, striving for calm. Was that the one who had haunted his thoughts?
Had she truly appeared?
"Is that Thomas? I heard he was coming, but I hadn't seen him!"
"So handsome! How is he so young?"
"Find out his contact info, fast!"
The audience erupted into buzzing excitement, like ants scattered in disarray, each voice filled with admiration for this striking man.
Amelia felt her scalp tingle, quickly averting her gaze and hastening her steps. A walk that should have taken two minutes she managed in one, nearly stumbling in her rush back.
Thankfully, all eyes were fixed on Thomas, and no one noticed her.
- Writer
