Facade of Love

Chapter 353 Abandoned

Ariel froze for a second like she could not believe it. She blinked at the Strawberry Bear, then at me, and finally asked, “For… for me?”

I nodded, encouraging her to take it.

She was on the shy side, so even though this was our second meeting, she was still pretty quiet. Clutching the Strawberry Bear, she managed a quiet, “Thank you.”

Then something seemed to click, and she looked up at me with a curious twinkle. “How did you know today’s my birthday?”

I just smiled. “The director told me.”

She nodded, a little overwhelmed, and went quiet.

I knew she was not much for talking, so I grabbed a stool and sat down next to her. I glanced over at Charlie, who was still standing, and said, “Why don’t you take a seat too?”

He gave the wobbly stool a wary glance and, with a slight frown, said, “No thanks, I’ll just take a look around.”

I nodded in response and turned back to my conversation with Ariel.

I had already been here yesterday, and there was not really any reason to come back today. However, after catching a glimpse of this girl and hearing about her from Director Williams, I felt compelled to return.

Maybe it was destiny. Why else would I have asked for her name and not the others?

Charlie, who clearly was not feeling the vibe, wandered back over, looking a bit out

up and asked him, “What’s

to stick around all day?” he asked.

was, and said, “Just hang tight. After Ariel is done with her cake, we will

that, he seemed to relax a little and gave

a big cake for Ariel, and it was not long before it arrived. With so many kids in the yard, Director Williams and a few teachers started slicing it up once

by

I started to call out but stopped when I saw two boys scuffling in the hallway, scrapping over

against the wall, watching them with a detached air, like he was at

movies.

noticed him, they stopped, shot each other dirty

interest now that the show was over, started to walk away.

Chapter 353 Abandoned

a second when he saw me, but his

little worse for wear after their scuttle, and found myself speechless. I stepped closer and asked why they had been fighting Turns out, it was all over a toy that neither of them ended up with because they broke

I gave them a talking to and sent them

the stairwell, waiting for me the caught my eye and flashed that signature half–smile of his. “Ready to

my lip, and blurted out, “Why didn’t

eyebrow, his features sharp and striking, “Why should

Isn’t