What's he tired from, attending some no-name college?
As Joy attempted to enjoy a few cherries she had washed from the fridge, her mom swiftly confiscated the bowl, insisting they be saved for her brother. The frustration bubbled within Joy as she protested, "I only had two. I brought them home, can't I have some?"
Her mother launched into a well-rehearsed tirade about the sacrifices made to provide for her education, bemoaning Joy's lack of gratitude without acknowledging that Joy's academic prowess had essentially funded her own way through the prestigious Stonebridge Academy, earning her a scholarship and even a stipend that somewhat alleviated the financial burden on her family.
Feeling unappreciated and misunderstood, Joy contemplated leaving, her patience worn thin by the countless similar arguments over the years.
Yet, her plans were thwarted by the impossibility of securing a ticket home during the busy holiday season.
To add insult to injury, her mother arranged a blind date for her, probably with someone from their sleepy town, an idea so ludicrous that Joy decided to sabotage the encounter by presenting herself in the most unflattering manner possible: unkempt hair, garlic breath, and lounging in a pink peony-printed pajama set.
However, her plan backfired spectacularly when the door swung open to reveal Austin, a figure of elegance and sophistication, starkly contrasting Joy's deliberate disarray.
Why would he come all the way from Stonebridge here for a blind date?
Joy sit up properly from the lying position on the sofa and forced an awkward smile.
The awkwardness was palpable as Joy realized the man sitting so politely in their living room, tolerating all her parents' inquiries, was none other than her boss from Stonebridge, a detail they both decided to leave unmentioned.
Her mother couldn't be more pleased with the candidate for marriage, while Joy was barely letting out a breath, let alone any words.
After enduring an evening of silent mortification, Joy was relieved when Austin finally prepared to leave, until he requested she show him the way out.
Joy was reluctant but her mother eagerly urged her to see the man out.
Walking behind Austin, Joy couldn't help but laugh at herself when
with
intently matched
. Content beutfitsee
Parking was a pain in the complex, and Austin's car was parked behind an old sedan.
As he got and
the car, Austin turned
tonisked her, "Why so quiet
Not like you to.net
va
word all evening." Conet
SW
Joy decided to just be straight-up. "I ate garlic."
"You a garlic fan?"
"Well, thought it might repel you."
"The strategy wouldn't have worked, with you sitting so far from me."
Maybe it was the garlic getting to
her
or the festive noise
but Joy blurted out: "Itet
kiss me."
Austin was slightly taken aback, then smiled. "Not quite the occasion."
Under the fireworks, Joy's head was spinning as she blurted again, "Yeah, another time then."
Her head was still spinning all the way back to the house.
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