Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 27

Aubrey was the first to pull back to regain her camposure. Her voice, a soft whisper, uttered, “Goodnight.”

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Her heart pounded, a chaotic flurry of emotions. Clutching her teacup, she spun around instantly and hurried to her room.

The door shut. A click of the lock.

Damon was left alone, watching her retreating back. A wistful, faint smile touched his lips. He lowered his head, his lips parting slightly as he exhaled.

Saturday morning.

Aubrey was in the bathroom, getting ready, when the doorbell rang

She hastened her routine, finishing up quickly. Grabbing a hair tie, she pulled her hair back as she stepped out of the bathroom.

Damon walked into the living room carrying a box and placed it on the coffee table.

My mom sent these Bartlett Pears.”

Aubrey froze, as if the news had nothing to do with her. “Oh,” she responded, turning to head back to her room.

They’re for you,” Damon added.

Aubrey stopped dead, her body stiffening. The softest part of her heart was touched, leaving her utterly surprised, shocked, and deeply moved.

Damon’s mother sent her Bartlett Pears?

She really did love Barden Pears.

Damon casually picked up a knife to open the box, explaining nonchalantly, “She knew we became roommates, so she specifically sent them for you. She also asked me to pass on her regards.”

Aubrey’s eyes welled up, and a bittersweet ache spread through her heart.

The love she’d never felt from her own mother, Aubrey had once found in Damon’s mother during the four years they dated.

Only then did she truly understand what maternal love felt like.

It was a profoundly warm, tender, and selflessly doting affection.

Aubrey blinked her moist eyes, forcing a smile as she turned and walked slowly over, pulling open the cardboard box to look inside.

Damon took out a flat, round, and smooth Bartlett pear, examining it. “These pears are looking great this year,” he commented.

“That’s so many, I can’t possibly eat them all myself. Please thank your mom for me,” Aubrey said, gazing at the large box of fruit. The tender, sweet pear flesh from her memory was incredibly tempting.

I’ll put these in the fridge. Take your time eating them,” Damon said, pressing some fruit into Aubrey’s hand, then carrying the box into the kitchen.

Aubrey trailed after him, the pear clutched in her hand.

Damon arranged the fruit in front of the fridge. Aubrey stond beside him, knife in hand, peeling the pear.

Morning light streamed through the kitchen window, casting a warm, soft glow.

Auley, finishing perling the pear, asked softly, “Do you want one? We can slate it.”

“Pears shouldn’t be shared, Damon said, his serious tone heavy. “If I want one, 111 prel it myself

Aubrey uffered a butter smile. “You believe in superstitions now?”

now?“

“No, I don’t believe in them,” Damon’s turned cold, “but I don’t like it “He slammed the fridge door shut and carried the cardboard box out

Aubrey set down the paring knife and took a bite of the Bartlett prat

I was juicy and sweet, with

.

Yet, a bitter taste lingered in her heart.

truly delicious

Back then, every season, Damon’s mom would always send them boxes of pea

11:49

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Damon used to peel them, then cut them up for them to share, sometimes into bite–sized pieces, sometimes simply splitting one in half for them both.

But she’d never liked sharing them like that. She remembered telling him firmly, “Damon, we shouldn’t cut the

e pears.”

Why not?” he’d asked, puzzled.

Dividing pears… it sounds like ‘dividing us in my language. If we keep splitting them, I’m afraid we’ll split apart.”

He’d ruffled her hair, a fond smile playing on his lips. Bree, don’t be so superstitious.”

“It’s not superstition!” she’d insisted, a tremor in her voice. T’m just scared, what if….”

He’d pulled her closer, his voice soft but firm. “There’s no “what if, Bree. We’ll never be apart. We’re like two vines intertwined, meant to stick together

for life.”

Well, I still don’t like splitting pears,” she’d countered.

He’d chuckled, yielding. “Okay, Ill listen to you, Bree. No more splitting pears. We’ll each get our own.”

Okay.”

The memory flooded her mind, washing over her just as quickly as it receded, leaving a bitter residue.

Her heart felt heavy, each memory of their beautiful past like a storm drenching her soul, leaving her entire being ravaged by the wind and rain.

lutching the pear, the left the kitchen and returned to her room to finish eating it

n a flash, she’d washed up, changed, and grabbed her shoulder bag, stepping out of her room.

Jamon was sining on the living room sofa. He turned at the sound of her door opening. “Aubrey, what do you want for breakfast? I’ll make it.”

Aubrey froze, her gaze fixed on him.

Jamon had just called her by her first name, without her surname?

dis tone was unusually gentle, and for a fleeting moment, she felt a daze, as if the tension between them had significantly eased.

It’s fine,” Aubrey said, snapping back to reality. She walked to the shoe cabinet, pulling out her white flats and slipping them on. “I need to grab some oiletries from the supermarket, so I’ll just eat out.”

Jamon stood, grabbing his car keys and walking towards her. “Let’s go together. I need to pick up a few things too.”

Aubrey looked at him, bewildered.

le was acting strangely.

he couldn’t quite place the feeling, but he was always subtly drawing closer.

Jamon hated her so much; this wasn’t right.

What’s wrong? Do I have something on my face?” Damon quirke an eyebrow.

iubirey quickly averted her gaze. “No,” she muttered, heading out the door.

Jamon slipped on his shoes and followed, closing the door helain him.

They walked side by side.

i had been too long since she’d walked with Damon, and Aubrey felt a surge of nervousness, unable to ielas and at nuur

f she had truly let him go, maybe they could have been at rai with radi uther

They took the elevato do and eamed the lobby

Outside, the weather was beautiful

son slane brigaly, and the temperature was just night.

They walked along the sidewalk in the neighborlanad

‘Aubrey A man’s shout came from their side

They both stopped, looking towards the sound

Caleb stood there, dressed in a black lusodie, ripped jeans, and pointed black leather shoes. His dark, choppy hair had a few white streaks dyed into it.

He sauntered over, hands tucked into the back pockets of his jeana, exuding a crude, Inwoleni

< Chapter 27

Aubrey’s stomach clenched with disgust every time she laid eyes on him.

Damon’s expression turned frigid, his brows kniting together as he watched Caleb..

Calch stopped in front of them, his insolem gaze sweeping Damon up and down.

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Damon was a head taller, his build muscular and imposing, with features handsome enough to make women swoon on Tik Tok What good were perfect looks? Caleb sneered inwardly. The debt for his beloveil dog’s death was a vendetta, and it would be repaid.

Compared to Damon’s towering, muscular frame, Caleb appeared slight.

He shot Damon a contemptuous glance, then addressed Aubrey in a commanding tone. “Come get coffee with me. We need to talk.”

Aubrey’s expression hardened. “There’s nothing for us to talk about,”

Fine then,” Caleb smirked, a sneer twisting his lips as his gaze shifted to Damon. “I’ll just talk to your ex–boyfriend about our wedding after the Christmas, and about my dad’s…”

Before Caleb could finish, Aubrey, a surge of panic washing over her, quickly cut him off. “Caleb, what exactly do you

Caleb gave a roguish grin. “Come with me.”

Aubrey hesitated for a few seconds, then tilted her head back to look up at Damon, whose face was dark with grim intensity. “You go to the grocery store alone.”

Damon gripped Aubrey’s arm. “I’m coming with you, so he can’t try anything.”

Caleb turned back, letting out a cold snort. “She’s my fiancée Why would I bully her?”

Damon’s eyes, cold as ice, shoe daggers at Caleb.

Aubrey didn’t hesitate for a second. She refused, “No, thank you.”

Damon’s fingers clenched tighter, his deep eyes darkening. “Aubrey, do you have some unspeakable secret? What is there to discuss with someone like him? Break off the engagement, and cut ties with him for good.”

“It’s not that easy to cut ties, because” Caleb let out a sarcastic laugh.

Aubrey immediately cut him off, her voice drowning our Caleb’s words. I can handle this. Just trust me, okay?”

She had no engagement with Caleb. That was all her mother’s and the Taylor family’s wishful thinking. No one in this world could force her to marry

Damon took a calming breath, every word he spoke resonating with sincerity. “Okay. If you can’t resolve it, just tell me. Remember, no matter what it is I will help you.”

Having said his piece, his expression clouded, and he turned and left.

Aubrey watched Damon’s retreating back, her eyes welling up. She had once “betrayed him like that, hurting him so deeply, and what she got in return

‘no matter what it is, I will help you‘

Damon repaid her actions with such kindness. How could she not be moved?

Caleb stepped forward and reached for her arm, but Aubrey forcefully shrugged him off. “Don’t touch me,” she snappel, her vowe cold wah fury.

Cale, flinched. He’d never seen Aubrey look an furious before, her eyes reil–rimmed and brimming wi

with

The look in her eyes was runnugl

Aubrey hated Caleb Hated his wlude famdy with a visceral tensity

If it weren’t for them, her father wouldn’t have been wrongly imprisoned, would he? And she wouldn’t have betrayed Damon, wouldn’t have had het heart ripped to alreds by their breakup.

Tine. I won’t touch you lar’s go” Calili swallowed hand, his eyes

Aubrey covenly wiped away her tears, then marched forward, sach step fuced by a cold, hard trwolve.

They ended

Aubrey ordered a lemonade and a sandwich, then started to eat, not bothering to look at him, her attention fixes) solely an har plane

Caleb sprawled in his chair, one hand draped casually over the back, the other holding a lit

the corner of the table.

crossed over the other, a picture of indolent disrespect as he watched Aubrey eat her meal.

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“Your ex–boyfriend killed my dog. This is your fault, plain and simple. Now the whole building management’s been replaced, my cousin got fired, and you still have the nerve to sue me? You both have no shame!”

Aubrey remained silent, taking another elegant bite of her sandwich.

Caleb slammed a fist on the table, his face flushed with fury, “Aubrey, I’m ordering you, drop the lawsuit against me. Now!”

Aubrey didn’t even glance up, her voice a cold whip as she uttered a single word: “No.”

Caleb licked his lips, a slow, predatory smirk spreading across his face. I heard your ex–boyfriend has some serious connections.”

Aubrey’s hand froze mid–air, the motion of her jaw stopping abruptly.

“My cousin dug up some dirt. Your ex–he’s some kind of top–tier expert, right? And from a really powerful family. Lot of big shot officials, right?”

Aubrey set her sandwich down with a thump. Her cold eyes snapped up, fixing Caleb with a furious glare. “What the hell do you want?”

“He probably still doesn’t know about your dad being in prison, does he?” Caleb jiggled his crossed leg, a slow smirk spreading across his face, his eyes gleaming with smug satisfaction as if he’d figured everything out. “Let me guess why you two broke up. It’s because your dad went to prison, isn’t it?”

Aubrey fought to keep her composure, glaring at him, her fists clenched.

Caleb’s smile was particularly smug and mocking. “His family is prominent, with generations serving the country. To work in a sensitive department like the Bureau of Aeronautics, his background has to be absolutely spotless–no felony convictions in his immediate family. If he wants to marry you, your father’s record would immediately disqualify him from his position. If he were to push for your father’s name to be cleared while marrying you, it would look like an abuse of power, jeopardizing his career entirely.”

Aubrey scoffed, playing along with his assumptions. “We broke up five years ago. You think he cares about me now? I’cheated on him, betrayed‘ him. He hates my guts. Don’t think knowing any of that gives you a hold over me

“Aubrey,” Caleb said, uncrossing his legs and setting his unlit cigarette aside. He leaned closer. “As a man who understands men, I’m telling you, he still loves you.”

Aubrey scoffed, her disbelief a bitter taste.

Damon still loved his ‘cheating‘ ex–girlfriend?

What a joke.

“Caleb,” Aubrey snapped, her patience worn thin, “what’s your endgame with all this bullshit?”

“Drop the charges. Marry me after the holidays. Otherwise…”

“Dream on,” Aubrey snapped, cutting him off before he could finish.

Caleb’s face hardened, the easy smile falling away. His eyes turned sharp, predatory. “Then I’ll tell your ex–boyfriend about your father’s time in prison”

Aubrey’s smile was thin and cold, a chilling defiance burning in her eyes. “You think that’s enough to threaten me

“Of course, Caleb said, brimming with confidence..

Aulinry’s vote was sharp, each word laced with venom. “Go abrad, tell him. See if care If you so, I’ll use to my advantage, leverage has power to save my dad, and you won’t get a singlerent of comprmation or lusspital bills from me. Even if I can’t marry him, I’ll be his sev vai mostren for bie”

Call deed fats, his face turning ashen, bis jaw witching with suppressed tage

Aubery rose, her hands bracing the counter

yourself in the four Thon’t try any of your pathers

“And yes, Caleb You’ll only visd up

a rambling to come up with the mutney yi

With her curting words still er lang, Audrey turned her back, her fave devoid of emotion, and s alked away. Her slender silhouette, shoof and fercely independent, endied a el indifference that posed as retreat

Calel had

you eventually, and then I’ll destroy you

Aubrey was the first to pull back, to regain her

chun opposite him, weibing Tuck, Aubier, yanı bas

I’ll get my ha

qaure Her voice, oh whisper, untered, Goodnight”

Her heart pounded, a chaotic flurry of emotion. Clutching her teacup, abe spun around instantly and burriel

The door shut. A click of the lock.

1140

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Damson was left alone, watching her retreating back. A wistful, faint smile touched his lips. He lowered his head, his lips parting slightly as he exhaled

Saturday morning.

Aubrey was in the bathroom, getting ready, when the doorbell rang.

She hastened her routine, finishing up quickly. Grabbing a hair tie, she pulled her hair back as she stepped out of the bathroom.

Damon walked into the living room carrying a box and placed it on the coffee table.

“My mom sent these Bartlett Pears.”

Aubrey froze, as if the news had nothing to do with her. “Oh,” she responded, turning to head back to her room.

They’re for you,” Damon added.

Aubrey stopped dead, her body stiffening. The softest part of her heart was touched, leaving her utterly surprised, shocked, and deeply moved.

Damon’s mother sent her Bartlett Pears?

She really did love Bartlett Pears,

Damon casually picked up a knife to open the box, explaining nonchalantly, “She knew we became roommates, so she specifically sent them for you. She also asked me to pass on her regards.”

Aubrey’s eyes welled up, and a bittersweet ache spread through her heart.

The love she’d never felt from her own mother, Aubrey had once found in Damon’s mother during the four years they dated.

Only then did she truly understand what maternal love felt like.

It was a profoundly warm, tender, and selflessly doting affection

Aubrey blinked her moist eyes, forcing a smile as she turned and walked slowly over, pulling open the cardboard box to look inside.

Damon took out a flat, round, and smooth Bartlett pear, examining it. “These pears are looking great this year,” he commented

That’s so many, I can’t possibly eat them all myself. Please thank your mom for me,” Aubrey said, gazing at the large box of fruit. The tender, sweet bear flesh from her memory was incredibly tempting.

I’ll put these in the fridge. Take your time eating them,” Damon said, pressing some fruit into Aubrey’s hand, then carrying the box into the kitchen.

Aubrey trailed after him, the pear clutched in her hand.

Jamon arranged the fruit in front of the fridge. Aubrey stood beside him, knife in hand, peeling the pear.

Morning light streamed through the kitchen window, casting a warm, soft glow.

Aubrey, finishing peeling the pear, asked softly, “Do you want some? We can share it.”

Pears shouldn’t be shared,” Damon said, his serious tone heavy. If I want one, I’ll peel it myself.

Aubrey offered a bitter smile. “You believe in superstitions now?*

“No, I don’t believe in them,” Damon’s voice turned cold, “but I don’t like it.” He slammed the fridge door shot and carried the cardboard box out.

Audrey se down the paring knife and took a bite of the Bartlett pear.

It was july and sweet, with a subule fragrance–truly delicious.

Yet, a bitter raste lingered in lar heart.

Back then, every season, Damon’s mom would always send them boses of pear

Damon used to peel them, then cut them up for themeralare, sometimes into bite sized pieces, sometimes simply splitting one in half for them both.

But she’d never liked sharing them

“Why not?” he’d asked, puzzled.

She remembered telling bins fondly, “Damson, we shouldn’t cut the pears.”

“Dividing pears… It sounds like ‘dividing us in my language. If we keep splitting them, I’m afraid we’ll split apart.”

He’d ruffled her hair, a ford smile playing on his lips. “Bree, don’t be so superstitious.”

on like lig

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Chapter 27

Ti ́’s not superstition!” she’d insisted, a tremor in her voice. I’m just scared, what if…..

He’d pulled her closer, his voice soft but firm. “There’s no ‘what if,’ Bree. We’ll never be apan. We’re like two vines intertwined, meant to stick together for life.”

“Well, I still don’t like splitting pears, she’d countered.

He’d chuckled, yielding. “Okay, I’ll listen to you, Bree. No more splitting pears. We’ll each get our own.”

“Okay.”

ry flooded her mind, washing over her just as quickly as it receded, leaving a bitter residue.

The memory

Her heart felt heavy, each memory of their beautiful past like a storm drenching her soul, leaving her entire being ravaged by the wind and rain.

Clutching the pear, she left the kitchen and returned to her room to finish eating it.

In a flash, she’d washed up, changed, and grabbed her shoulder bag, stepping out of her room.

TOOM

Damon was sitting on the living n

om sofa. He turned at the sound of her door opening. “Aubrey, what do you want for breakfast? I’ll make it.”

Aubrey froze, her gaze fixed on him.

Damon had just called her by her first name, without her surname?

His tone was unusually gentle, and for a fleeting moment, she felt a daze, as if the tension between them had significantly eased.

“It’s fine,” Aubrey said, snapping back to reality. She walked to the shoe cabinet, pulling out her white flats and slipping them on. I need to grab some toiletries from the supermarket, so I’ll just eat out.”

Damon stood, grabbing his car keys and walking towards her. “Let’s go together. I need to pick up a few things too.”

Aubrey looked at him, bewildered.

He was acting strangely.

She couldn’t quite place the feeling, but he was always subtly drawing closer.

Damon hated her so much; this wasn’t right.

What’s wrong? Do I have something on my face?” Damon quirked an eyebrow.

Aubrey quickly averted her gaze. “No,” she muttered, heading out the door.

Jamon slipped on his shoes and followed, closing the door behind him.

They walked side by side.

i had been too long since she’d walked with Damon, and Aubrey felt a surge of nervousness, unable to relax and act naturally.

f she had truly let him go, maybe they could have been at ease with each other,

They took the elevator down and exited the lobby.

Jurside, the weather was beautiful–the sun shone brightly, and the temperature was just right.

Thury walked along the sidewalk in the neighborhood.

Aubrey A man’s shout came from their side.

They both stopped, looking towards the sound.