Billionaire's Childhood Love

LXXIII. One Baby, Two Babies, Two Babies Plus

Joshua's POV:

It happened.

It finally happened.

Hailey is my girlfriend!

Well, it's fake, but at least I know she still likes me. I mean, which other guy does she know that has black hair, blue eyes, tall, junior, smart, athletic, handsome, and lives in the Golden Dormitory?

How cute of her trying to hide it.

Unless I overlook someone who meets all those requirements, it's definitely me, right?

I'm not one to tote my own horn, but I fit all of those criteria.

I look around the bright room.

That guy isn't tall enough.

That guy is not athletic.

That guy isn't as good looking as me.

That guy isn't even a junior.

That guy's black hair is fake.

I love how she invited all these strangers to divert my attention.

I blame Juliette. She was most likely getting ready to confess, but the sight of Juliette embracing me must have shocked her. I also concluded that she snapped at me out of jealousy the first day we saw each other. It was too blatantly obvious. When she chose to sit with Ricardo on the trip back, it was also to spite me.

Either that was the case, or I'm putting myself on a pedestal.

"Kiss her!" Ahmend shouted.

I may have the look of annoyance on my face, but at that moment, I'm thankful I know Ahmend Laghari. The arrogant loose pants prince. That's the closest thing to a compliment I'm willing to give him.

I look down at Hailey's beat red face. She's not ready. Instead of kissing her, I kissed her forehead, causing her body to tremble. I should end this. "That is all," I said into the microphone. I grabbed her hand and led her away from the audience. She probably hates standing up there.

We hid behind the mountains of gifts. I can't wait to see her open everything with her mouth gap open, saying: "Woah! Joshie Pooh! Look at this!"

Hailey puffed her cheeks, "Why didn't you kiss me?"

What? Did I hear correctly? Did she question why I didn't kiss her? "You wanted me to kiss you?" I asked. I didn't kiss her because I didn't want her to pass out or, worse, run out of the room. Then, she'll trip, which can embarrass her even more.

That's one of the things Hailey dislikes the most, too much attention. It's also one of the many walls between us. One of the many reasons why Hailey doesn't want us together. She understands, consciously or not, that being with me meant the world would keep an eye on you.

Ridicule you.

The photo on the school gossip page was proof enough.

And slowly, they will dig up more of Hailey's past and expose it to the world until there's nothing left.

It can either make her stronger or crush her.

When I saw Hailey's bruised face a few weeks ago, I finally understood how dad felt. The desire to overly protect mom. I love mom. But, she isn't exactly the strongest woman I've met. Our lives are still foreign to her.

Sometimes, at night, after a party, mom would sit beside the fireplace. She would have this look on her face - this empty look. Dad would embrace her the whole night and told her: "It's okay, sweetheart. I'm here. Our family is here."