"I Miss You"

As I sat in the elegant café with Jayden, sipping on my coffee, I couldn't help but voice the question that had been nagging at me. "Why does Lance's father favor Emily so much over his own daughter-in-law? Could it be because she was Lance's first love?" I blurted out, feeling a twinge of embarrassment at my directness.Jayden, ever composed, replied with a calm demeanor. "That's part of it. Emily holds a special place in Mr. Han's heart because she's not only Lance's past flame but also the daughter of his best friend. Besides, her beauty and successful career add to her allure."His words stung a bit, and I couldn't resist a playful jab. "So you're implying that I'm neither beautiful nor perfect?" I teased, raising an eyebrow.A charming smile played on Jayden's lips. "Don't be absurd. You're stunning, or I wouldn't be enjoying this conversation."I chuckled, appreciating his attempt to smooth things over. "Well, thank you for the compliment. I think I'll take my leave now. It's been enlightening. Let me cover the bill."After our conversation, I returned to the tranquility of the villa, mulling over the dynamics at play. As I settled on the plush sofa, my phone buzzed with missed calls from Lance. His urgency surprised me, but I couldn't bring myself to share my discoveries about Emily just yet.When I finally called him back, his tone was a mix of relief and frustration. "Where were you? Why didn't you answer your phone?" he demanded, his worry palpable."I must have dozed off, sorry. I miss you," I replied, glossing over the real reason for my absence.Lance's response was bittersweet. "I'm back, but work demands my presence for another day. I'll be home tomorrow evening."As I hung up, a part of me longed for him to express his longing for me in return, but I pushed aside those thoughts, focusing on the fact that he had called.Later, while lost in my thoughts, a message notification interrupted my reverie. "I'm starting to miss you," it read, and my heart skipped a beat. Assuming it was Lance, I replied eagerly, only to discover it was Jayden on the other end.(My Mind What is Jayden up to? How did he get my number?)I resisted the urge to respond to his messages, but his persistence wore me down, and before I knew it, we were engaged in a lively text conversation.As we exchanged messages, he revealed himself to be a charming and thoughtful person. I couldn't help but empathize with him, especially after learning about Emily's rejection.The day flew by, and the following morning, I found myself back in the greenhouse just before Lance returned home.Taking in the beauty of the flowers, I wandered around, knowing that these moments might be fleeting, uncertain when I'd have the chance to visit again.Suddenly, a lizard darted across the greenhouse, disrupting the tranquility of the scene. Startled, I stepped backward, accidentally bumping into what I thought was a solid wall.To my surprise, it wasn't a wall at all—it was a concealed door, silently revealing itself as if beckoning me to explore its mysteries._ROSE_...