"I told you, you don't have a boyfriend yet. You should seize this chance." Charlie said with a smile.
"Charlie, I can't promise you that. Don't overthink it." Evie replied, sounding helpless.
"Come on, you weren't so serious about promises before!"
"That was before! We've been apart for so many years—"
"No one's asking you to marry him right away. You can hang out for a while, see how it goes!
If it doesn't work out, you can still just be classmates!"
"You're overthinking this." Evie could only say.
"If I'm overthinking, we'll find out soon enough.
Didn't he ask for your number?"
"It's not what you think. I'll tell you if something happens." Evie answered awkwardly.
She didn't know how to explain it to Charlie!
"Okay, I'll wait for your good news!
Honestly, you don't have to let him go just because I had a crush on him back then.
He likes you, not me. I'm totally cool with it.
It won't affect our friendship at all."
"Can you just stop thinking about it?" Evie said, half laughing, half crying.
"Fine, fine, I'll shut up. See you in a few days!"
"Alright, just give me a call before you come." Evie replied with a smile.
After hanging up with Charlie, Evie sat on the chair in front of her desk, feeling a bit conflicted.
She hadn't thought much about the class reunion before. But after Charlie's call, it felt different. Like Noah actually had something to do with her now.
Evie sighed softly. People's imaginations could be a terrible thing sometimes!
Besides, even if there was something, it was impossible with Noah.
At least for now, there was no chance of anything developing.
She was already legally married to Alexander. No matter if he was gay or not, she was his wife in the eyes of the law.
That meant she couldn't have any romantic involvement with other guys.
Thinking of Noah, Evie bit her lower lip.
Everyone had a prince charming in their mind during their school days. Back then, Noah was hers.
Noah was incredibly smart. It seemed like there was no problem he couldn't solve. The teachers adored him. He got along well with everyone and was very popular. At the time, she was the class monitor, and Noah was the academic committee member. He sat behind her and Charlie.
But after graduation, they all went their separate ways. Even though they were meeting again, there was still a sense of distance.
Those carefree, youthful days seemed to be gone forever.
On the weekend, Alexander sent a car to pick up Evie.
Mrs. Sterling wanted to see her.
After changing into a different outfit, Evie told her mother and got into the Sterling family car.
This was her first time visiting the Sterling home. Even though she had registered her marriage with Alexander, she had never been to his family's house until now.
The driver respectfully called her "young madam," which made her very uncomfortable. But she couldn't say anything, so she just responded with an embarrassed smile.
It didn't take long to reach the Sterling residence.
The Sterling home wasn't particularly flashy. Although it was located in a quiet, upscale neighborhood, it looked no different from the surrounding houses from the outside.
The gate was simple and heavy, matching the walls. She wondered if it was a retro design.
Following the butler inside, Evie realized there was a whole other world within.
The front hall was just a facade. Behind it was a completely different scene.
Pavilions, a lotus pond, a corridor. Everywhere she looked, it was like a beautiful painting. The whole place was filled with Chinese cultural elements.
Evie almost felt like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden.
But she didn't dare show it too obviously. She didn't want to seem ill-bred.
Even though she was a little excited inside, Evie had to silently follow the butler to the living room.
Chloe took off her down jacket and helped hang it on the rack.
Mrs. Sterling was already waiting for her on the sofa.
"Mrs. Ster—" Evie started to address her, then remembered she should change how she addressed her. She abruptly switched, her face turning red and white.
"Ah, it's okay. Come sit with Mom!" Mrs. Sterling replied with a smile, then called Evie over.
Evie walked over and sat down in the empty seat beside Mrs. Sterling.
"No class today?"
"No, I don't have classes on weekends unless there are make-up lessons or something." Evie answered.
"I wanted to pick you up when you were free.
This will be your home from now on. You need to get familiar with it first." Mrs. Sterling said kindly.
Evie blushed. She didn't know how to respond properly, so she just nodded stiffly.
"Has Gray contacted you recently?"
Evie was stunned for a moment. Then she realized Mrs. Sterling was talking about Alexander.
She almost laughed out loud, but since she was in front of Mrs. Sterling, she had to hold it in. She nodded.
Actually, they hadn't contacted each other since the day they registered!
Sometimes she almost forgot she was married.
"Gray has been busy lately.
He's on a business trip again these days. Don't worry about him.
After this period, when you have your wedding, he can take a few more days off.
Then you can have a nice honeymoon." Mrs. Sterling comforted her.
"It's fine. It's right for a man to focus on his career." Evie answered obediently.
After all, there wouldn't be a honeymoon for the two of them.
A free trip or something like that could be arranged.
Mrs. Sterling kept her there, talking to her about Alexander.
She said he was cold on the outside but warm on the inside. Even though he always had a straight face, he was actually easy to coax. If there were conflicts, just coax him more, and he'd be fine.
Evie wanted to laugh again when she heard that.
A picture of a giant automatically came to mind.
She also said that Alexander had been busy managing the Sterling Group, which had delayed his marriage. Now that they were married, she was relieved.
Evie didn't have to worry about anything from now on. She just had to be Alexander's wife and help them have more children.
Evie was confused again.
Alexander was gay. He only liked men!
If she married him, could she have children?
No wonder, as Ethan had said, his grandmother wanted his uncle to get married, hoping to carry on the family line!
Was it because she looked like she was easy to bear children?
It was time for lunch.
For lunch, Evie and Mrs. Sterling ate alone.
The rest of the family were either out, at school, or on business trips.
The dishes were very rich. Obviously, some of them were specially prepared for Evie.
"Evie, eat more!
I don't know what you like to eat, so I had the cook prepare more.
After you move in, tell the cook what you like, and she'll cook it for you." Mrs. Sterling said.
"Thank you, Mom. I'm not picky. This is fine." Evie replied, a little flattered.
"It's good not to be picky. Balanced nutrition is important.
But it's also fine to have a few of your favorite dishes.
You've registered with Gray. You're part of the Sterling family now. You don't have to go out in the future."
"Okay, Mom!" Evie had to answer.
"After lunch, let Chloe take you to have a look. We've prepared a new house for you and Gray. If you're not satisfied, or if you need to buy any more furniture, just tell Chloe."
"Okay!" Evie nodded again.
The new house was already ready?
So fast!
It hadn't even been a week since she married Alexander!
Or maybe the Sterling family had already prepared for Alexander's marriage.
Even though she felt a little stiff, Evie still ate a lot. Mrs. Sterling kept warmly urging her to eat more, and she didn't dare to neglect, so she had to eat as much as she could.
Later, she couldn't eat anymore, so she had to tell Mrs. Sterling she was full.
After lunch, Mrs. Sterling asked Chloe to take Evie to the new house. She also told Chloe that after seeing the new house, she should take Evie to Alexander's bedroom for a lunch break.
Evie quickly declined.
"You're husband and wife. What's there to be shy about?
Besides, Gray is away on business these days. He's not home." Mrs. Sterling said with a smile.
Evie had no choice but to thank her, then walked out of the dining room with Chloe.
"Young madam, I'm Chloe! I work for the old lady. If you need anything in the future, just tell me." Chloe introduced herself.
"Okay, thank you, Chloe!" Evie replied.
On the day of her marriage registration with Alexander, she had already met Chloe once.
Chloe had helped her put on the jade bracelet!
"Don't be so polite, young madam. It's my job."
Chloe answered and pointed to a two-story building in front of them. "That's the Sterling Manor, where the fourth young master lives. The wedding room is on the second floor, next to the bedroom where the fourth young master currently lives."
"Okay!" Evie replied.
Now she didn't care where the wedding room was or how the decoration was. Just thinking about sleeping with the fourth young master of the Sterling family made her feel numb.
Even though he was gay and only liked men, it still felt very uncomfortable!
After changing shoes, Chloe opened the door and led Evie into the building.
The first floor had a living room, kitchen, bathroom, tea room, and media room.
The modern decoration style was very fashionable.
If she hadn't been to the main house, Evie would have thought this was the main residence.
After all, the layout here was very complete!
After climbing the stairs,
"The fourth young master likes peace and quiet, so we rarely come here except for cleaning.
If you need anything in the future, you can call us or go directly to the butler." Chloe introduced as she walked.
"Okay!"
On the second floor, the decoration style was different.
If the first floor was modern design, then the second floor was retro design.
It felt heavier, but also warmer.
Evie's favorite was the windowsill.
On a winter afternoon, she could sit in the sun and enjoy the view outside the window.