Caught Between Two Loves

My boyfriend went to pick up his idealized love returning from abroad.

I decided to tag along.

At the airport, he warned me, "Just stay away from us for a while."

I pointed toward the exit, smirking defiantly. "What a coincidence, my idealized love is returning as well."

1

Ignoring Jaycob Porter's surprised expression, I walked toward the familiar figure at the exit.

Before I could take steps, he pulled me back. "Tilda, you never told me you had an idealized love."

I let out a mocking laugh. "Oh, is that so? What kind of relationship do we have that I need to tell you?"

"What kind of relationship?" Jaycob tightened his grip, causing me to wince in pain. "I'm your boyfriend, Tilda."

Lesley Burgess, who was walking toward me, paused upon hearing this.

Seeing me look at Lesley, Jaycob's face was full of anger, but he quickly let go of my hand.

Before I could react, I saw Emmalyn Holden following behind Lesley.

She handed her suitcase to Jaycob, speaking gently, "Long time no see."

Watching the two embrace, I let out a derisive laugh.

So, the person Jaycob was so hung up on was Emmalyn!

Lesley said nothing, just stood silently beside me.

I sighed and hugged him lightly.

Only then did I hear him call me "My queen. "

Just like two years ago.

"How did you end up with Emmalyn?" I asked.

"We weren't together, just ran into each other by bad luck," Lesley explained.

I chuckled.

Just as I was about to leave with him, Jaycob called out to me. "Tilda, aren't you going to introduce us?"

"No need." As soon as I said this, Emmalyn's expression changed.

She walked up to me confidently in her high heels, extending her hand. "Tilda, long time no see."

But her gaze was clearly directed at Lesley.

I frowned, my tone unfriendly, "Get lost, I don't want to see you right now."

Emmalyn's smile froze at the corners of her mouth, her body swaying slightly.

Seeing this, Jaycob gently held her in his arms. "Tilda, what's wrong with you? Why are you acting crazy? So you know Emmalyn, what's with your attitude?"

Lesley wanted to speak, but I stopped him. "Jaycob, so the idealized love you've been pining for all these years is Emmalyn! Did you know your idealized love is a thief? She stole someone else's design, made a name for herself, and basked in glory!"

Jaycob stared in disbelief, his expression inscrutable, yet he still defended Emmalyn, "What nonsense are you talking?"

I scoffed, "Is she worth lying about? Before you, she was..."

Emmalyn screamed, interrupting me, "Tilda Carpenter, shut up!"

She tried to grab me as she spoke.

Lesley stepped aside to block her, and I looked at Jaycob. "Don't tell me you know Emmalyn because of 'Illuminating Light'?"

Jaycob's eyes dodged, and I smiled knowingly.

"Illuminating Light" was the piece Emmalyn used to win the Golden Top Award.

An unknown in the design world, she became famous overnight.

That piece was clearly Lesley's two years of hard work.

Emmalyn's eyes were tinged with red, yet her tone was full of mockery. "Tilda, Lesley hasn't said anything, why are you so upset? Or is it that your unrequited love can't get a response, and you're unwilling?"

Lesley, who had been silent, raised his hand to wrap around my slightly stiff shoulders, his expression calm, but his words were exceptionally harsh. "Emmalyn, watch your mouth. Don't provoke Tilda. I can elevate you to success, but I can also bring you down."

2

Noticing Lesley getting angry, Emmalyn quickly dragged Jaycob away.

I took Lesley back to my place.

When he first came to my studio, he was a recent graduate.

I was three years older than him, and unlike others who called me Tilda or boss, he called me Queen.

For a while, he talked about wanting to buy a house. I joked that there was an empty apartment on my floor, and he should buy it and be my neighbor.

He really did buy it.

Watching Lesley open the door, I impulsively asked, "Lesley, after two years, are you still not going to give me an answer?"

Lesley paused, then turned to hug me, his head affectionately nuzzling my neck.

"I missed you, my queen. Missed you so much."

Hearing this, my eyes stung, tears flowing freely.

I had feelings for Lesley.

He was a talented fashion designer, creating many popular works.

When he first arrived at the studio, I paid special attention to him, not just me, but others too, because Lesley's looks were particularly striking.

Emmalyn was one of them.

Back then, I only saw him as a gold mine.

Lesley's gentle nature made him hard to approach, and I put in a lot of effort to get close to him.

I prepared a bottle of warm milk for him every day because he had a bad stomach; when his work won an award, I took him out to eat, ordering a table of bland dishes despite my love for spicy food; even on his birthday, I personally made him a cake and gave him a necklace I designed myself...

Everyone joked that I was biased, only being good to Lesley.

I didn't deny it, after all, he earned a lot for me.

Initially, Lesley thought I wanted to exploit him, and was very guarded.

Gradually, he began to accept my kindness, even sharing his creations with me.

"Illuminating Light" was the piece he poured the most effort into.

But Emmalyn stole Lesley's design and entered it into a competition.

Lesley stopped me from calling the police, choosing to forgive Emmalyn.

Because of this, we had a big fight.

I kicked Emmalyn out of the studio. The day she left, she looked at me disdainfully, "Tilda, you've done so much for Lesley, but he doesn't like you at all."

During that time, Lesley was silent, losing weight until his bones protruded.

I felt heartache seeing it, knowing I had indeed developed feelings.

I confessed to him, saying, "Lesley, I think I've really fallen for you."

Lesley just smiled, his eyes showing emotions I couldn't decipher.

He ruffled my hair, saying, "My queen, how could you be the one to confess?"

I waited for a long time, only to hear he was going abroad.

3

"My queen, dinner's ready." Lesley's voice pulled me back to reality. "There wasn't much in your fridge, so I had to make do. Are you ordering takeout again, my queen? I've told you it's not healthy."

Looking at the three dishes and soup in front of me, I smiled contentedly, "Then can you cook for me from now on?"

I was not very good at cooking. Lesley used to fill my fridge with groceries and came over every day to teach me.

I enjoyed the meals but never learned to cook.

He always said helplessly, "Eating takeout all the time isn't healthy, my queen."

I half-jokingly replied, "Then can you cook for me from now on?"

Even though it was been two years, it still felt so vivid.

Lesley lowered his eyes, after a while, he asked softly, "my queen, you and your boyfriend?"

"Huh?" I quickly swallowed my food, taking off the ring on my hand and stuffing it into my clothes pocket. "Jaycob and I are just collaborators."

Lesley looked at me with confusion, mixed with a hint of grievance.

"The studio had some issues before, Jaycob's grandfather really liked my designs, so he helped me a lot. His health isn't good, and he hoped to see his only grandson settle down before he passed. Jaycob and I are just posing as a couple."

Lesley chuckled softly after hearing this, lowering his voice, "I understand."

After dinner, I stared at Lesley's back as he washed the dishes in the kitchen.

Sensing my gaze, he turned and smiled at me, "Why don't you go take a seat, my queen?"

I bit my lip, torn with indecision, then went up and hugged him from behind. "Lesley, I love you. If you don't reply to me soon, I won't have the courage to say it a third time."

Lesley dried the last dish and sighed, "I've been abroad for two years without a word. Aren't you mad at me, my queen?"

"Mad? I cursed you every day while you were gone. But Lesley, everyone has their secrets. When you're ready to tell me, I'll naturally find out."

The longer Lesley stayed silent, the more my heart raced.

Until a warm touch brushed my lips. "I love you, my queen."

His gentle yet demanding kiss stole my breath away, our lips and tongues entwined, and Lesley's eyes were filled with tenderness.

I clung weakly to his neck, etching his features into my heart.

In my hazy consciousness, I heard Lesley whisper softly, "Let me be selfish just this once, my queen."

3

Lesley refused to return to my studio.

He said he wanted to be a freelance designer.

Though surprised, I respected his decision.

Later, I realized his choice was entirely for my sake.

He not only took great care of me but also kept my home impeccably organized.

I teased him, "Are you planning to become a househusband?"

The moment those words left my lips, both our expressions shifted.

I secretly worried if I was being too forward, thinking about marriage before anything is set in stone.

Lesley seemed slightly taken aback, his smile frozen at the corners of his mouth.

Despite the pang of bitterness in my heart, I joked, "I'm kidding, Lesley, don't be scared."

"Sure, I can be your ideal spouse, my queen,"

Lesley said seriously, his eyes tinged with a hint of red, which I thought was from embarrassment.

We exchanged smiles, and even the air seemed sweet.

Our days together were so filled with affection that when Jaycob called, I was momentarily dazed.

Jaycob was furious about my unilateral breach of contract.

His voice roared through the phone, "Tilda, I don't agree."

Lesley leaned against me, and I stroked his soft hair, letting out a satisfied sigh.

On the other end, Jaycob paused, his heavy breathing almost piercing my eardrums. "Tilda, it's daytime. Engaging in PDA during the day, aren't you embarrassed?"

Lesley wrapped his arms around my waist, his laughter causing his shoulders to shake, loud enough for Jaycob to hear.

"Jaycob, I told you when you found me that I have the right to call off this deal anytime. You can endlessly entangle with your idealized love, but I can't rekindle my old flame? Don't be so selfish, Jaycob."

There was silence on the other end, and just as I was about to hang up, Jaycob spoke softly, "Tilda, accompany me to see Grandpa this weekend. He misses you."

I couldn't refuse.

On the weekend, Jaycob waited downstairs, his face darkening as soon as he saw Lesley and me together. "Tilda, it's only been a few days, and you're already living together?"

I smiled without responding, giving Lesley a kiss before getting into the car.

Without a word, Jaycob held the seatbelt strap, preventing me from fastening it, "Tilda, are you that eager?"

I leaned my head against the window frame, lazily yawning. "Jaycob, what's got you so worked up? Don't tell me you've fallen for me?"

The seatbelt clicked into place, and Jaycob's presence vanished, replaced by a cold snort. "Hmph, you'd better put on a good show in front of Grandpa."

Thinking of Chris Porter, I sat up straight, casting a sidelong glance at Jaycob's rigid profile.

Initially, Jaycob begged me to act with him, warning me not to have any designs on him.

I always knew there was someone in his heart, a woman who left the country after a year of entanglement.

I never expected that person to be Emmalyn.

That person just happened to be Emmalyn.

I curled my lips mockingly, my tone icy, "Jaycob, I've designed for your company for free these past two years. I've long repaid Chris's kindness. Your mother doesn't like me, and I've endured it. I owe you nothing. Make it clear to Grandpa now."

Beside me, Jaycob's face was grim, the temperature around us seemingly dropping.

As we neared the villa, he finally spoke, "Tilda, you didn't treat me this poorly before. Is it because of Emmalyn?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, I always dislike everything associated with someone. The Porter family is a distinguished family, " I said, sizing up Jaycob, "but you're blind."

Jaycob ignored the mockery in my voice, his face dark as he pulled me along, "Same goes for you. Who knows who's really blind?"

I withdrew my hand, my tone indifferent, "Keep your woman in check, or don't blame me for being unkind."

"Oh, Tilda, who are you putting on a show for? Acting superior just because someone fancies you."

A sharp voice approached, and I rolled my eyes silently.

Jaycob's mother wore a white evening gown, clearly ready for a party.

"Mom." Jaycob stood beside me, respectful, his gaze sweeping over me.

I forced a smile and greeted, "Aunt Sue."

"Be polite to my son, you're not even in the door yet."

There was only so much one could put up with.

I adjusted my hair around my neck, smiling politely yet distantly, "Aunt Sue, don't worry, I won't become your daughter-in-law."

I glanced at Jaycob's already red face, mercilessly continuing, "Jaycob is already with his idealized love, personally picking her up at the airport, and I happened to see it. Emmalyn Holden, the celebrated designer. Aunt Sue, isn't it a coincidence? She used to be a junior employee at my studio."

Jaycob suddenly grabbed my wrist, trying to silence me.

Aunt Sue looked at Jaycob in shock, throwing her purse at him. "You're tangled up with her again?"

I raised an eyebrow, it seemed Jaycob had already introduced Emmalyn to his family.

Speaking of which, when Emmalyn was relentlessly pursuing Lesley, could she have already latched onto Jaycob?

I thought about it, feeling a chill.

Ignoring Jaycob's murderous glare, I finished my last sentence, "Aunt Sue, don't ask me to design clothes for you anymore. You don't like them anyway, go to your daughter-in-law. She'll be more than happy."

I gave Aunt Sue a meaningful look, and she immediately tugged at her dress, cursing, "Tilda, do you think I care?"

Not care?

Not care, yet she frequently asked Jaycob to pass messages. Every dress she wore to parties these past two years was designed by me.

Facing the envy of other ladies, she would only haughtily reply, "This is what Tilda should do."

Jaycob pushed me aside, soothing his mother before dragging me inside. "Tilda, you're unreasonable. Grandpa's health isn't good, don't upset him."

I watched his gritted teeth expression, feeling a sense of relief.

After two years of enduring, it was time to get some payback.

4

As we reached the upper floor, a series of coughs echoed through the hallway, persistent and unrelenting.

Chris sat in a wheelchair, his hair gray, pounding his chest heavily.

"Grandpa, have some water."

I gently patted his back, while Jaycob patiently offered him water.

In Chris's cloudy eyes, our reflections appeared, and he smiled contentedly, "Tilda, when are you and Jaycob planning the wedding? I wish to see your wedding, fearing he might not have another opportunity."

Jaycob looked at me, hesitant to speak, but I steeled myself and said, "Grandpa, Jaycob and I won't be getting married."