Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

"Alright, I'll pick a spot I visit often. The food's always top-notch there."

Matthew was about to nod but caught a flicker of emotion in her eyes, and a small smile played on his lips.

"How about some karaoke? You were so into your role earlier, you're probably still in character. Belting out a few tunes at a karaoke bar will help. Plus, one of my buddies just opened a new place. It's pretty low-key since it's new. I'll take you there!" He leaned over and punched the address into the GPS.

Aubree didn't object, and after a half-hour drive, they arrived.

Matthew's buddy was about his age, not even twenty. His eyebrows shot up in surprise as he saw Matthew walk in with Aubree, then he gave a knowing wink.

For some reason, seeing them made Aubree feel a few years younger. The place was packed with people in their twenties, untouched by the usual weariness of middle age. It was all youth and energy. Matthew led her to one of the private rooms, and his friend had laid out a spread of unusual drinks.

Aubree raised an eyebrow at the unfamiliar bottles.

"I've never seen any of these before."

Matthew eagerly explained, "They're from small countries, each with a unique flavor. My friends and I spent two years traveling the world, collecting them bit by bit. You should give them a try." Two years traveling the world?

That was Aubree's childhood dream, especially during the tough times in Beaconsfield. She always wanted to explore the world.

But when she realized she had fallen for Andrew, those dreams faded away. She just wanted to marry him.

Pouring all your love into one person can be tragic.

So, ending up like this was partly on her.

"Did you ever climb the highest mountain?" Aubree asked curiously.

did at sixteen," he replied, not boasting,

of envy

Climbed it at sixteen.

only eighteen now, at the prime of his youth. He'd seen the world. How amazing

fearing it might kill the mood, but he just asked, "What's

a bottle, and

twenty-five, seven years

didn't even have a proper job. All she thought about was winning

a ray of light to her, and she was willing to

needed the candle's glow when he had the

that all her efforts

Andrew. Back then,

she couldn't accept the Andrew of now either, because she couldn't let go of her

you're having is known for

a natural confidence, a mix of wealth and

my liquor, no worries. Aren't we

grabbed two mics, asking what she wanted to

'Drowning'? I can

offering to sing

ve

already set on Andrew, never even noticing other guys. Now, hearing this, she leaned back, feeling a

Matthew, go

adjusted the sound

hadn't heard that song before, but it seemed to quiet