Chapter 87
After dinner, Valerie went back to the room to change.
Since they were heading to an amusement park, skirts were obviously out of the question. She swapped into a loose, casual outfit more fit for walking around and headed out.
Aiden and Kelly had rarely gone out together growing up, so Kelly was especially giddy. All the way there, she kept going on about how she wanted her brother to accompany her and make a childhood dream come true.
But the moment they arrived at the park, she was immediately swept away by a good–looking, puppy–eyed boy waiting at the gate.
Valerie took one glance at the boy and instantly recognized him—it was Kelly’s notorious “nemesis” from her previous life.
Kelly practically leapt into his arms, blushing as she clung to his waist and whispered something Valerie couldn’t hear. Whatever it was, it made the two of them laugh like they were in their own little world.
Aiden, on the other hand, had never seen anyone flirt up close–let alone his own sister.
He stood there quietly, watching the two like they were straight out of a rom–com. Honestly, they looked way more in sync than he and Valerie ever had.
Kelly led her boyfriend toward them, beaming. “Aiden, Valerie, this is my boyfriend, Angelo Salinas.”
Angelo had a youthful, clean–cut look—definitely fresh out of college.
When faced with Aiden, though, he looked visibly nervous and stammered, “H–Hi, I’m Angelo Salinas, 23. I just graduated and started working at a tech
company.”
Kelly giggled, clearly amused. She cupped his face affectionately. “Why are you being so adorable? That’s my brother, not your boss. Relax!”
Angelo scratched his head awkwardly. It wasn’t his fault–Aiden’s aura was terrifying.
The man’s presence felt more intense than half the hiring panels he’d been through.
Aiden tried not to come off too harsh. He gave a subtle nod, neutral and unreadable.
Kelly pouted. “Geez, Aiden. Can you not bring your boardroom energy to the amusement park? You’re here to have fun! Valerie, hook your arm through
his like this.”
She demonstrated by latching onto Angelo and planting a playful kiss on his cheek. “That’s how real couples act!”
Valerie blushed and glanced at Aiden’s arm before timidly looping hers through it.
Kelly smirked. “Now kiss.”
Valerie’s cheeks flared even redder. Around them, couples were everywhere, arms linked like it was nothing. But a public kiss? That was pushing it for
her.
She dodged by changing the subject. “Let’s hurry up and go in before the lines get crazy.”
Kelly, knowing Valerie was shy, laughed. “Alright, alright.”
Valerie quietly exhaled in relief. As she looked down at her arm wrapped around Aiden’s, a strange flutter ran through her chest.
Her heart was pounding,
Even though they’d been physically intimate, this small gesture–just holding hands in public–felt different.
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Chapter 87
Before, when he’d entered her, she had hated it–resented it, even felt sick. This time, though, when they were together again, sheed felt hár also safe. Embarrassed, but… oddly comfortable.
But never like this.
Not this tingling sweetness laced with anticipation.
Why did this feel so new?
Kelly was bouncing with energy once they got inside the park. She tugged Angelo along like an excited child and returned minutes later holding two pairs of cat–ear headbands–black for herself, white for Valerie.
Valerie and Aiden trailed behind, and she vaguely caught Angelo asking, “They just started dating, right?”
Kelly answered, “Nope. They’ve been married for over two months.”
Angelo blinked. “Really? Wow, I thought they were just starting out. The way they act, it’s like they’re still in the early dating phase–awkward and cute
Kelly burst out laughing and turned around. “Aiden! The haunted house is up ahead. Hurry up!”
Valerie clearly heard everything. Her grip on Aiden’s arm tightened instinctively.
Was it that obvious?
She stole a glance at Aiden and found him already looking at her, his gaze deep and unreadable.
Oh no–he definitely heard that, didn’t he?
Valerie lowered her head, cheeks flushed.
And then she felt his arm shift, wrapping around her waist as he murmured, “Let’s go.”
His voice was low and casual, emotionless.
So… did he hear it or not?
Valerie couldn’t tell, and it made her oddly nervous. They reached the haunted house.
The place was massive, with actors dressed in outrageous costumes wandering the entrance. A sign warned all guests to sign a waiver–if someone died from fright inside, the venue and staff wouldn’t be held responsible.
At first, Valerie thought, ‘Come on, it’s just a haunted house.‘
But when she saw the “death waiver,” her courage faltered.
Kelly and Angelo signed without hesitation. Valerie, meanwhile, hesitated and asked the staff, “Is it really that scary?”
She looked gorgeous clinging nervously to Aiden’s arm, all wide eyes and soft voice.
The staff member grinned. “Don’t worry. Just let your boyfriend protect you.”
Valerie instinctively looked at Aiden. He had already signed. So with no way out, she grabbed the pen and scribbled her name.
As they stepped inside behind Kelly, darkness swallowed them whole. The eerie atmosphere made Valerie tense, a mix of excitement and fear bubbling in her chest.
Suddenly, Aiden said something, but she didn’t quite catch it. She turned around and asked, “What?”
He replied calmly, “Let’s go.”
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Chapter 87
Behind them, the staff who had overheard froze. Then they blinked and grinned with envy.
That cold, expressionless man had just leaned in and told her, “I’m your husband.”
Kelly clung to Angelo’s shirt, giggling. “Oh no, I’m scared. You’ll protect me, right?”
Angelo puffed out his chest and wrapped his arms around her. “Of course! If any ghosts come at you, I’ll knock them all down!”
Kelly laughed out loud. “You did read the waiver, right? First rule: no punching the staff.”
“Oh… right,” Angelo scratched his head. “Then you’ll just have to hold on tight.”
“Aww, babe, you’re the best. Mwah!”
The sound of their kiss echoed through the hallway ahead.
