Chapter 10.03

“Alright. I assume this means there’s a bet involved,” Amber grinned.

“Pretty boy,” my girlfriend turned to me. “What do you want if I’m wrong?”

“Let’s make the stakes high, little girl,” I smirked. “Sing me a song at our wedding.”

“Pretty boy,” she saw right through me. “That assumes there will be a wedding,” she laughed.

“I didn’t say when,” I teased, gently brushing her cheek. She was unbelievably attractive.

“Alright, listen,” she said. “If we do have a wedding, the winner gets a song. If we don’t, then the loser sings at Brian’s or Daryl’s wedding. Deal?”

“Who picks the song?” I asked. “The loser or me?” I winked.

“The loser, pretty boy,” she smiled at my confidence. “Deal?”

“Deal, little girl,” she ruffled my hair, and I kissed her.

“Well, we’ll find out on New Year’s,” Amber concluded with a smile and walked away.

“What was that?” Will asked.

“Our everyday life,” Jenny laughed and walked off.

Until lunch, I occasionally disappeared with her into the hallway—just like two days ago. Dad just grinned.

“You look like a man in love,” my girlfriend teased between kisses.

“I don’t look like one—I am one,” I corrected before answering the call of her lips.

After lunch, I walked her home.

“Messyhair,” she said. “The twins and Dany are coming with us for New Year’s. That’s okay, right?”

“Of course. Kevin and Will are coming too, and we’ll head over together. But let’s take multiple cars,” I said.

“Why, Messyhair?” she asked as I stopped under the tree.

“So we can sneak away before midnight,” I winked. “You owe me a private Christmas dance. Or actually, two.”

“Two?” she raised an eyebrow, feigning seriousness. “We were apart for a year,” she reminded me.

“I don’t recall anything like that,” I said, pulling her closer with a smirk. “But one dance would do.”

“Let’s see if you earn it,” she teased, her lips hovering just out of reach before finally letting me steal a kiss.

The second day with Jenny’s family was much easier—the boys had visibly accepted me. After dinner, Jenny walked me out again.

I headed to Brian’s place—he had mentioned wanting to escape his family for a bit.

“Everything alright, man?” I asked when I arrived.

“They haven’t arrived yet. Come in,” he said cheerfully.

“New Year’s?” I asked as I sat down.

“I’m going. Mayoko is coming too.”

“She’s home?” I was surprised. “I thought she had traveled.”

“No,” he said. “Her family traveled here this year. I spent all day there yesterday—your girl would be proud of my work. Everyone complimented my language skills,” he bragged.

“Good. Then I’ll leave you to rest. It’s quiet at my place if you want to come over.”

“Jay,” he called after me from the doorway. “I’m bringing a camera, but you have to document everything.”

“Got it,” I grinned.

The days passed quickly until New Year’s. I studied, rested.

On the last day of the year, Kevin and Will showed up not long after breakfast.

“We’re heading to Jenny’s for lunch, then leaving from there. My parents are heading out soon,” I said once they came in.

I got ready, and we drove to Uncle Steve’s place in Kevin’s car.

Jenny introduced the two guys to her family, and we had lunch before chatting for a while.

“Blondie,” Daniel said in the late afternoon in the living room. “You go in one car with Kevin and Will. I’ll take Ray and Rob, and Jay will drive separately, okay? That way, everyone can come and go freely.”

“Alright.”

Jenny changed, I went back to get my car, and we all drove over to Paul’s place one after another.

Inside, the party was already buzzing—Paul’s New Year’s event was getting more popular each year.

Like last year, he had closed off the upper floor of his mansion, but this time, he had installed a raised platform between the two staircases, creating a dance space in front of it. There were no tables, just high counters for standing receptions. The food was lined up on tables along the walls.

This year, my friend had added even more lighting than before.

The guys mingled, and Jenny stepped up beside me.

Her outfit was asymmetrical—where it had a strap, the skirt was short, with strings hanging down. The front zipper didn’t go all the way up, creating a subtle yet alluring neckline that highlighted her fantastic figure.

“What do you see, Messyhair?” she asked, looking at me.

“That a bunch of our friends are already here,” I said after scanning the room. “And that Paul outdoes himself every year with this party. This year, there’s a podium and extra lights,” I noted.

“Details?” she laughed. “Need help?” she asked after a short pause. I nodded.

“Jessica and Aaron are on a silent treatment break. Look,” she pointed.

Sure enough, they stood a few meters apart, backs turned to each other.

“I already know,” my girlfriend teased. “You’ll be shopping all day. But for now, go talk to Aaron.”

She gave me a quick kiss and walked off, while I went to greet Aaron.