Love Began with the First Meeting
Chapter 978 Extra Story 116 Of Aaron A Gamble

"Ximena," Aaron said softly, "From today, we will start a new life. I won't ask you to leave your past behind completely, and I'm not expecting you to accept me now either. But, I do cherish this new start and this moment is most valuable to me." Ximena took the bunch of roses from Aaron's hands. The roses had different colors, from light pink to rosy pink. Several circles of these roses made up for a beautiful bouquet.

Aaron retrieved a small velvet box from his pocket. The logo of the jewelry brand was stamped on the royal blue box. It was an enchanting 'M', which was in the shape of a streak of lightning. It was the jewelry brand which had been launched by the Leng's Corporations a year ago. The initial of Ximena's family name was used as his exclusive logo. Nobody except Aaron himself knew this.

"Even though you're able to afford anything you want now, I had prepared this gift for you a long time ago," Aaron said. His words held deep meanings which only they could understand, and he was not able to conceal the emotions that were spilling out of his eyes. He bent down so that their eyes were at the same level. "Open it," he said.

Ximena put the bouquet on the table and took the velvet box from him. She opened it slowly and saw a platinum ring inside. The lightning logo was engraved into the ring and it looked very special. Ximena recognized it. It was the ring which had not been on sale during the exhibiion when the jewelry shop had been opened a year ago.

She raised her eyes slowly to look at Aaron. He said, "When you leave me, you will have to return it."

Like a tight rope, his words tied around Ximena's heart. Even as they faced many issues, the two of them had been trying their best to get close to each other.

"Aaron," Ximena said finally. "Is 'M' under my name?"

Aaron liked how intelligent Ximena was. He nodded and said, "It will be under your name as long as you stay with me." It was still easy for him to see through her despite her intelligence. His last words prevented her from saying what she was about to say. As a result of that statement, the romantic atmosphere which had been created collapsed all at once. The manager of the restaurant could not help but roll his eyes, though he dared not do that in front of Aaron. At the same time, the corners of his mouth twitched upwards unconsciously. He thought, 'How romantic you are! That is exactly what a cold person would do.'

However, Ximena didn't mind at all. She shrugged and then wore the ring on her right index finger. With the platinum ring on it, her slender finger looked more beautiful. "It looks great," she said with a smile. At the same time, she sat up straight once again. "A gift that was supposed to be given to me a year ago..." she mumbled. Looking at Aaron, who had just sat down at the chair opposite to her again, she said, "Zoey called me in the morning."

"Hmm. She called me too," Aaron said calmly, without the least bit of emotion.

Ximena said, "To pay back for all your efforts today, I will design a dress for her."

Hearing that, Aaron frowned slightly and stared at her. "I'd rather you didn't pay me back," he said.

Ximena responded with a slight shrug. While eating, she said, "I have to go back to the store later." She raised her head to look at Aaron and continued, "I have something to do in the evening too, so I won't be back early."

"All right," Aaron replied without asking why. He thought that giving her some room was a good way to show his respect for her, as well as his respect for the family he was eager for.

After having lunch, the two of them parted. They left the restaurant separately, just as they had come. However, the manager and the waiters at the restaurant were still stunned. They looked at one another speechlessly. They had absolutely no clue as to how Aaron and Ximena got along with each other. The two of them didn't look like a couple in love at all.

'Well, both of them are strong-minded. When two people who are alike meet, they would try their best to conquer each other,' one of them sighed inwardly and then told himself firmly that he would only fall in love with a timid, lovable little woman.

Time passed slowly for the rest of the day. When the setting sun slid into the horizon, Ximena walked out of 'Only Memory'.

She got into her royal blue roadster and started the engine, heading to the cemetery at a normal speed. As she edged closer to the cemetery, she felt increasingly heavy in her heart, with complicated emotions overtaking her.

Finally she arrived at the entrance of the cemetery. She got off the roadster and grabbed something which she had earlier told the tomb keeper to prepare for her in advance, and walked into the cemetery. Her footsteps were heavy, like there were stones tied to her legs. She passed through the solemn tombstones and finally stopped in front of a double tombstone.

Staring at the two young faces on the black tombstone, she felt her nose ache and her eyes redden. Tears formed in her eyes instantly.

"Dad, Mom... Your daughter, Ximena, has come to see you..." she mumbled, trying her best to wear a smile. Her eyes could no longer keep the tears in, and hot drops slid down her cheeks and spread at the corners of her mouth. They tasted salty and bitter. She said, "I want to slowly walk out of the shadows of my past... though I still don't know if I will be able to accept him or not." Taking a deep breath, she fixed her eyes on the two black and white pictures on the tombstone. "Will you support me in this decision? Or will you hate me for it?" she asked.

A gust of bleak, chilly wind blew, swaying her long hair. She stood there silently, as still as a statue.

"Who are you?"

a confused voice came from behind her, interrupting her thoughts. Ximena came to herself. She turned around to look at the person.

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