The dinner lasted until eleven that night. When Ava finally returned home that night, insomnia greeted her like an old, unwelcome friend.
Since starting work, Ava rarely had trouble sleeping. But tonight, she tossed and turned for hours, her mind a chaotic whirlwind that refused to quiet down, without even a whisper of drowsiness.
As dawn approached, Ava finally threw back the covers, got out of bed, and took two melatonin pills before lying back down.
This time, sleepiness washed over her like a gentle wave. Just before losing consciousness completely, her memory pulled her back to a time long, long ago.
Perhaps due to the side effects of the melatonin, Ava had a very long dream.
Memories spanning over a decade flickered through her mind like scenes from an old film, at once achingly familiar yet strangely distant.
Ava had grown up with Sebastian since childhood. In her memories, he was her brother's friend, but also a big brother who took great care of her.
Compared to Jacob, who attended an international school and whom she barely saw a few times a month, Sebastian had felt more like her real brother than Jacob ever did.
They went to school together and did homework together. Back then, all of Ava's friends knew she had a handsome childhood friend—a big brother who was very good to her.
Ava couldn't pinpoint exactly when their simple "sibling relationship" had begun to change. She only remembered that she was fifteen when she fell for Sebastian, who was eighteen at the time.
Ava had just started high school, while Sebastian had already entered university.
That day was Sebastian's birthday. Uncle Anderson was busy with work, and Sebastian's mother had passed away years ago, so Sebastian had been celebrating his birthdays at the Ava's home since he was fifteen.
It happened to be a weekend, so Ava ran errands for Penelope, going to the university to bring Sebastian home for his birthday celebration.
Ava had visited Sebastian many times as his "little sister," and his roommates and many classmates recognized her.
That day, as usual, she waited for Sebastian outside the boys' dormitory. While killing time, her attention was drawn to three girls standing not far away.
The girl in the middle was tall with long hair, fair skin, and large eyes. When she smiled, two adorable dimples appeared. Even with Ava's critical eye for beauty, she had to admit this girl was stunning.
Ava noticed the girl looked somewhat shy, while her two companions were encouraging her about something.
"This doesn't feel right. Maybe we should go back and find another opportunity to give it to him."
"Don't leave now! We've come all this way—what's the problem? You two got along so well in the study group last week."
"Exactly! And he even stood up for you in the cafeteria today. He must be interested in you. He's talked to you more than any other girl in our class—doesn't that tell you something?"
"Come on, stop hesitating. When Sebastian comes out, just go up to him, confess, and give him the letter."
Hearing this, Ava froze.
Had she misheard? Did they just mention Sebastian's name?
Ava couldn't help but focus her attention on them again.
The girl in the middle hesitated: "No... I can't do it. Why don't you two help me deliver it? I'm going back."
"What are you afraid of? Anyone with eyes can see that Sebastian must like you too..."
This time, Ava was absolutely certain she hadn't misheard.
She instinctively looked the girl up and down once more.
Was this the type of girl Sebastian liked?
For some reason, Ava felt something strange stirring inside her—a feeling she couldn't quite name.
Lost in thought, before she could look away, she unexpectedly made eye contact with one of the girls.
Ava instinctively averted her gaze.
The girl had clearly recognized her and whispered: "Look, isn't that girl standing over there Sebastian's sister?"
"I think so. She looks familiar."
"I have an idea!"
"What idea?" the beautiful girl asked.
"Since you're too shy to give it to him directly, why not ask his sister to pass it along? It's also a chance to make a good impression on his sister."
"That's right! Sebastian treats his sister so well. If his sister likes you, you're pretty much a shoo-in to become her sister-in-law."
"Stop it, you guys. What sister-in-law..."
Their conversation carried clearly to Ava's ears. Her mind was in turmoil as she pretended not to hear, looking down and kicking a stone at her feet.
Soon, the three girls approached her.
"Hi there, young lady! You're Sebastian's sister, aren't you? I have a letter I'd like to ask you to give to your brother. Would that be okay?"
The beautiful girl was the one speaking. As she talked, she took out an expensive box of chocolates from her bag and handed it to Ava, saying in a gentle voice: "These chocolates are for you, consider it my thanks."
Ava glanced at the chocolates with hidden disdain—she'd grown tired of this brand long ago—but her good upbringing prevented her from showing it.
She didn't take the chocolates, only accepting the pink envelope as she said flatly: "I'll give it to my brother when he comes out."
After thanking her profusely, the three girls left, chatting happily, clearly satisfied with themselves.
Standing alone, Ava looked down at the pink envelope in her hand and suddenly found the color particularly jarring.
As Sebastian's "sister," this wasn't the first time she'd collected love letters for him.
But for some reason, this time left a bitter taste in her mouth.
About twenty minutes later, Sebastian finally showed up.
By then, the inexplicable emotion building inside Ava was ready to explode, and Sebastian happened to be the perfect outlet.
When she saw him, she shoved the envelope into his chest: "Someone asked me to give you this."
Without waiting for his response, she turned and walked toward the school gates.
Sebastian was taken aback by her sudden attitude. Not even checking what he'd been given, he absently stuffed the pink envelope into his jacket pocket and hurried after her: "What's wrong? Who's upset my little Avie?"
Ava kept walking with a stony face, ignoring him.
She didn't know why she was acting this way—she just felt unhappy and didn't want to talk to him.
"Did I keep you waiting too long?"
Sebastian asked tentatively, then continued in a gentle, coaxing tone: "It's my fault today. I made you wait so long. I promise it won't happen again."
When Ava still didn't respond, he carried on: "I've been wondering all day what birthday gift my Avie would give me for my coming-of-age. Turns out it's this sour face—"
"But that's fine too. My Avie is so pretty that even when she's angry, she's a sight for sore eyes."
Hearing this, Ava stopped abruptly, suddenly coming to her senses.
Today was Sebastian's birthday and his coming-of-age celebration. No matter what, she shouldn't be giving him the cold shoulder.
With this thought, she pressed her lips together, turned around, and pointed at the pink envelope peeking out of his pocket. Not even trying to choose her words carefully, she blurted out: "Some pale-skinned girl asked me to give you that envelope."
For some reason, she couldn't bring herself to admit the girl was beautiful.
After saying this, Ava turned and strode out of the school.
She wasn't giving him the cold shoulder anymore, but she still didn't feel like talking to him.
Sebastian was momentarily confused by her words but didn't think much of it. After all, Ava had been delivering love letters from other girls since sixth grade.
At first, she would curiously tease him, asking which "big sister" he liked. Later, after receiving too many, she became numb to it—just taking them out of her backpack, tossing them to him, and forgetting about it.
Sebastian never connected her mood today with this love letter.
But to everyone's surprise, Ava's sullenness continued until dinnertime.
During dinner, even the typically oblivious Penelope noticed something strange in the atmosphere between them.
When asked why, Ava just shook her head and said it was nothing.
Because all evening, her attention had been fixated on that pink envelope.
In the past, whenever Sebastian received love letters, he would set them aside to return the next day, or simply dispose of them. But this time, he kept it in his jacket pocket, never letting it out of his sight.
This inevitably reminded Ava of the conversation she'd overheard outside the dormitory that afternoon.
Did Sebastian actually like that girl?
Ava's heart pounded irregularly, her mind in complete disarray. She barely touched her dinner before claiming to be full.
It wasn't until after dinner, when Penelope went out for a night run with her girlfriends, that they finally had a chance to speak privately.
Sebastian approached her, trying to coax her out of her mood: "Is Avie still upset with her big brother?"
Ava pursed her lips slightly, saying nothing.
This time it wasn't that she didn't want to speak—her mind was just too chaotic to know where to begin.
After a moment of silence, Sebastian spoke again: "How can your big brother fix what's bothering Avie if she won't tell him what he did wrong?"
Ava pressed her lips together and gave a small nod.
Seeing her finally respond, Sebastian sighed with relief and gazed down at her intently, waiting for her to continue.
Ava kept her head down. She had been pondering for a long time but still couldn't identify the strange emotion she was feeling.
It was both unfamiliar and contradictory.
After what seemed like an eternity, Ava finally looked up cautiously and asked: "If you had a girlfriend, would you stop caring about me?"
Hearing this, Sebastian was visibly taken aback. Then, as if suddenly understanding something, he let out a gentle laugh that was both indulgent and resigned and answered a different question entirely: "No matter what happens, you'll always be my favorite, Avie."
Teenage affection often springs from inexplicable sources. Perhaps it was this childish reassurance of being "favorite," or perhaps it was the accumulation of countless moments over the years. Whatever the reason, from that day forward, the feelings in her heart gradually became clear.
They took root and blossomed, growing beyond her control.
...
The dream was a blur of reality and fantasy. When Ava woke, her face was wet with tears.
-
Meanwhile.
The BrightCore Inc Technology building was shrouded in darkness, with only the CEO's office on the top floor still illuminated.
After the dinner ended, Sebastian had his driver take him directly back to the office. As Sebastian's executive assistant, Daniel naturally remained by his side.
Daniel placed two pristine folders on Sebastian's desk and respectfully said: "Mr. Anderson, here's all the information you requested on the overseas project."
"Mm," Sebastian acknowledged with a slight nod.
His brows were furrowed as he gently massaged the space between his eyebrows. He had drunk quite a bit at dinner, and it was starting to affect him.
Seeing this, Daniel reminded him: "Mr. Anderson, it's almost three in the morning."
Having worked for Sebastian for many years, Daniel couldn't remember the last time his boss had worked this late, except during the company's early startup days.
Hearing this, Sebastian pressed his temples firmly, clearly fatigued, and waved dismissively: "It's fine, I know my limits. You can go home."
Even if he had gone home instead, sleep would have eluded him tonight anyway.
Daniel knew better than to insist: "Very well, Mr. Anderson."
Just as he turned to leave, Sebastian suddenly called out: "Wait—"
Daniel: "Is there something else, Mr. Anderson?"
"Inform Andrew that starting tomorrow, he'll be taking full responsibility for the overseas project."
The chip collaboration with the foreign company was nearly finalized, and Sebastian had already implemented risk management protocols. Andrew should be able to handle it on his own.
Hearing this, Daniel was momentarily stunned.
Since last year, Sebastian had been focusing on expanding into foreign markets, intentionally shifting his work focus overseas. This year's chip project collaboration between Andrew and foreign companies presented an excellent opportunity. If successful, BrightCore Inc Technology would reach new heights.
"Are you saying we should give up management control of the chip project?" Daniel had to confirm once more, given the gravity of the situation.
"Yes." The man gave a soft grunt of acknowledgment, as he had more important matters to attend to starting today.