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.

at sixteen," he replied, not

of envy crossed Aubree's

Climbed it at sixteen.

was only eighteen now, at the prime of his

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

a bottle, and took a swig

seven years older

didn't even have a proper job. All she thought about was winning Andrew's affection, being

really. Andrew's slightest attention was like a ray of light to her, and she was willing to

Andrew never needed the candle's glow when he

didn't realize that all her efforts were

Back then, he

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

having is

a

hold my liquor, no worries. Aren't we

grabbed two mics, asking

want to hear 'Drowning'? I can sing it for

offering to sing for

ve

age, Aubree was already set on Andrew, never even noticing other guys. Now, hearing this, she leaned back,

Matthew, go

sound and started

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