Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 37

Moonlight, like liquid silver, cascaded onto the balcony.

A hushed silence filled the living room.

Aubrey hugged a throw pillow, perched on the sofa. Beneath her seemingly calm exterior, her heart churned with a restless anxiety, every thought focused on Damon as she anxiously waited for him to return.

The deadlock between her and her mother had been set in stone for years, and only money could appease it.

If not with money, what else could Damon possibly use to deal with her mother?

Time bled away in an anxious blur, until the click of the front door unlocking pierced the silence.

Aubrey abruptly dropped the cushion she was clutching and sprang to her feet.

Damon stepped inside, closing the door behind him. As he changed his slippers by the console table in the entryway, his gaze flickered to Aubrey in the living room and he looked up.

Their gazes locked.

His serene, composed gaze was a stark contrast to her anxious, troubled eyes.

Damon slipped into his slippers, then approached her, a small bag clutched in one hand.“Still awake? Why aren’t you resting?”

Aubrey shook her head, her breath catching slightly. “Waiting for you,” she managed.

Damon stopped before her, lifting the small bag in his hand. “Your mom bought these for you.”

The words were so unprecedented, so utterly out of character, they stunned Aubrey into disbelief. She took the bag, pulling it open to glance at the

contents.

Inside were pastries from the coffee shop just outside their complex.

A surge of anger flared through Aubrey, her chest tightening.“You gave her money?” she demanded, bristling.

Damon unhurriedly shed his jacket, tossing it onto the armrest of the sofa. “Caleb is willing to spend money on you because he wants to marry you. We’re just friends. I make you split the rent, and we always go Dutch on meals. Do you honestly think I’d be stupid enough to give your mom twenty

housand dollars

de had a point.

Was she overthinking it?

Damon sat on the couch, leaning back and looking up at her.“Your mom won’t be hounding you for money anymore. You won’t need to hide from her.”

No way” Aubrey set the small bag down and sat beside him, her mind racing with questions. “My brother’s getting married, she won’t give up until she ets the money. And this pastry, did she actually buy it for me?”

If you don’t believe me, call and ask her”

Tve blocked all her contacts”

Jamen released a slow sigh, his dark eyes, usually so guarded and unreadable, narrowed slightly as he continued to gaze at her.

fis gaze made Aubrey tere, her stomach tightening with growing unease “What exactly did you say to my mom?”

You don’t need to know.

Did my mo say anything to you?”

der mother was freely protective of her reputation, never one to easily let the bumiliating truth about hes busband’s impressister

But a chilling dread will twisted in her gut a fear that Damon would somehow food out

Damon and casually, “Your mom told me that if I have me during Thanksgiving teak. I could go with you to your broth

Audrey’s eyes widened in surprise, a bewildered gate fixed an bi

I felt like an utterly absurd play was unfolding before her

Now, she was dying of curiosity, desperate to know what on earth Damon had said or done to her mother

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“And your mom mentioned that if you don’t want to marry Caleb, then you don’t have to. She respects your decision and won’t pressure you any longer. She’d like you to come home for dinner more often, whenever you have a chance.”

Aubrey took a deep breath, her brow furrowing as she stared at him. Every single word out of his mouth sounded utterly preposterous.

From childhood to now, she had never once felt her mother’s genuine affection or concern.

And yet, here she was, hearing her mother’s supposedly caring words from Damon.

True or not, she couldn’t help the sting in her eyes, forcing a stiff smile.“Damon, please,” she whispered,“can you just tell me the truth?”

“Every word I’ve said is the absolute truth.”

The things you’re claiming, my mom would never say. She wouldn’t even specifically buy me pastries.”

“People change,” he simply stated.

Mers

“But she couldn’t have suddenly changed just from an hour–long conversation with you,” Aubrey argued, her voice rising.“What exactly did you do to her? What did you say?”

Damon leaned forward, elbows on his thighs, his deep, knowing, and utterly unreadable gaze showing a flicker of irritation.“The details aren’t important, Aubrey. What matters is that it’s resolved for you.”

“What about the money for my brother’s wedding? How does she plan to handle that?” Aubrey still couldn’t believe Damon had managed to appease her mother without spending a dime.

“That’s your brother’s business. Let him figure it out himself.”

Aubrey felt like she was in a dream; it was truly baffling.“This is my mom’s stance too?”

“Yes, that’s your mom’s stance too.”

Aubrey leaned back on the sofa, pulling the throw pillow back into her arms, and gazed deeply at Damon.

She knew this man was intelligent and capable.

But the family conflicts she hadn’t been able to resolve in decades–Damon had fixed them in just one hour?

What on earth had he done?

Suddenly she remembered his words: Aubrey, is that all you think I’m capable of?

He was indeed capable of much more than that.

Following the dog bite incident, the entire city launched a stringent inspection of banned breeds, implementing strict protocols for unregistered, unlicensed, and stray dogs.

Several officials from Animal Control were investigated.

Their complex’s property management was swiftly replaced.

Even Gavin, who had abused his power and perverted justice, was dismissed.

There was no denying his immense capability.

Bear that kind of power, she knew, was useless against her mother–a belligerent and unreasonable woman Her mother would draw tamruDA, FROZxing to petty tricks and her own twisted logic, disregarding even the law itself.

Yet how had Damon managed to tame her mother?

His refusal only heightened her curiosity.

After a moment of silence, Damon picked up his jacket and walked towards the room

Aubrey looked up at his broad, imposing back Her gratitude, in the end, all ourweighed her curiosity. She stood, her voice soft and gemle as she offered her thanks “Damon, thank you”

Damon paused, his back still to her After a long moment, he replied softly

“Don’t drink again”

With that, he continued toward his room

The moment the door clicked shut, Aubrey’s heart sank

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His tone didn’t sound like he was worried about her health from drinking. Instead, it was more like he feared her drinking would lead to trouble, as if it carried a hint of exasperation.

That night.

Aubrey tossed and turned, tormented by her curiosity.

The following morning, her alarm went off.

Still groggy, she crawled out of her warm bed, splashing cold water on her face to wake up before heading to the kitchen to make breakfast.

Having made noodles once before, this time it took her even less time, and she felt much more adept.

Just as she finished cooking breakfast and brought it to the table, Damon emerged from his room.

He wore a black turtleneck sweater, layered with a long black coat, paired with black trousers, and a discreetly luxurious watch on his wrist. The ensemble highlighted his cool, handsome demeanor and elegant, towering presence.

The man’s refined air was deeply rooted in his family background, a seemingly inborn quality that made him exceptionally striking.

Aubrey set down her utensils and greeted him softly, “Good morning.”

Damon, holding his car keys, paused as he passed through the living room, meeting her gaze. His voice was low and deep.“Morning.”

I made noodles. Let’s eat together.” Aubrey’s hands instinctively tightened on the gray apron she wore, her eyes reflecting a poignant hope.

Damon hesitated for a few seconds, then walked to the dining table, set down his car keys, and pulled out a chair to sit.

A soft smile bloomed on Aubrey’s face. She quickly went into the kitchen and returned with another bowl of noodles, handing Damon a pair of fork.

She sat across from Damon, her gaze dropping to the noodles in her bowl. She hoped they were perfectly cooked this time.

She looked up at Damon again.

Damon held his fork, but the gentle smile he’d worn the last time she’d cooked for him was gone. His expression was calm now, his eyes cool and

distant.

Aubrey’s heart began to flutter with a quiet panic.“You don’t want to eat?” she asked tentatively.

You don’t need to get up early to make me breakfast anymore,” Damon stated flatly. He picked up his fork, lowered his head, and began to eat his

noodles.

Aubrey didn’t know what he meant.

A flicker of hope sparked within her as she watched him intently. But as he ate, his face remained blank, his expression unreadable and deeply reserved.

No complaints, no compliments. Not a single word. The silence was so profound it made her anxious.

She wasn’t stupid.

This feeling… it was like being transported back to when they first met, to Damon’s distant, indifferent attitude toward her then.

It was obvious their relationship had warmed up after they’d spent some time together; they’d even settled into a comfortable friendship.

But ever since the night she got drunk, things had cooled between them again.

Had she said something hurtful when she was drunk and upset him?

A vague melancholy settled over Aubrey, making the food taste like nothing.

After Damon finished his meal, he simply sat in silence, waiting for her.

She’d only managed a few bites before her appetite vanished. Just as she was about to put her fork down, Damon’s voice cut through the quiet.

“Finish it.”

Aubrey lowered her gaze to the noodles she’d barely touched “I can’t.”

Damon’s displeasure was evident. “There’s barely anything in your bowl, and it doesn’t taste bad, does it? Why can’t you finish it?”

Aubrey didn’t dare meet his eyes. “I don’t have an appetite.”

His voice was laced with ice.“If you don’t have an appetite, why did you make breakfast?”

Because you like noodles.

< Chapter 37

Wasn’t this specifically for you?

The words caught in Aubrey’s throat, tasting incredibly bitter. She couldn’t even meet his gaze.

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“Fine, have it your way,” Damon snapped. He stood up, picked up her barely touched noodles, stacking them in his own empty bowl, then walked away from the table and into the kitchen.

Aubrey let out a slow, heavy breath, turning to look at the kitchen doorway.

From inside came the sound of running water as he washed dishes.

Her heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, aching with a dull throb.

She and Damon had been together for four years; she knew he was usually even–tempered. That tone just now meant he was truly angry.

All week, Damon had been distant and aloof. Though he answered every question and took care of every detail, there was an underlying, inexplicable anger in him.

Even when he helped her with her mother’s situation, his attitude towards her was harsh.

She didn’t know what she’d done to make him so mercurial.

From the day she moved in with him, she’d known she’d made a huge mistake.

She knew perfectly well she couldn’t remain unaffected by Damon, yet she’d walked right into it anyway.

Since they’d moved in together, she’d grown accustomed to Damon’s presence.

She even found herself thinking that even if they couldn’t be together, coming home each day to see him, to feel his presence, to even touch the things he’d touched, brought an inexplicable warmth and settled feeling to her heart..

And that was enough.

She wouldn’t dare be so greedy as to wish for them to be a couple again. Still, she hoped, she longed for their current friendship to be easier, to last longer.

Damon washed the dishes, gave the kitchen a quick tidy, and rolled down his sleeves as he walked out, picking up his car keys from the dining table.

His gaze fell on Aubrey.

Aubrey remained frozen in her seat, her head bowed, a palpable air of sorrow and dejection enveloping her.

Damon let out a soft exhale, his voice tinged with exasperation.“What are you playing at?”

Her? Acting?

Aubrey hadn’t expected Damon to say something like that to her.

Stunned, her already sorrowful and aggrieved heart felt the sting of insult added to injury. She looked up at him.

Their eyes met, and Damon faltered.

He saw a thin, shimmering mist welling up in Aubrey’s clear, wide eyes, hinting at a delicate sense of hurt.

The sight of her twisted something inside him.

“You…” Damon started, then caught himself, his fingers unconsciously tightening around his car keys. His voice softened. “I’ll drive you.”

It wasn’t on his way.

In times like these, Aubrey would normally have refused.

For one, she didn’t want to waste Damon’s time, and for another, she was afraid that too much time alone with hian would make her fall even deeper. only to experience the same gut–wrenching pain she’d endured five years ago when he eventually left

But even now, the way Damon treated her was almost unbearable.

She didn’t want to torment herself with the pain of an eventual separation

She’d deal with the future when it came

All she wanted was to make the most of each day.

“Okay,” Aubrey said, standing instantly. She pulled off her apron, draping it over a chair.“Wait for me, I’m just going to change.

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With that, she hurried towards her room.

Damon watched her hurried retreat into her room, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.

Snapping back to reality, he picked up the apron Aubrey had left, walked into the kitchen, and hung it up.

Aubrey emerged moments later, changed and with her bag, practically running.

“Let’s go.” She was a little anxious, worried Damon would be rushing back and forth and end up late.

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Menu

In Damon’s eyes, she clearly had somewhere important to be today, which was why she’d agreed to let him drive her.

Aubrey followed him out the door, settled into the passenger seat, and fastened her seatbelt before asking, “Will you be late? If there’s not enough time, you can just drop me off at the subway station.”

“I won’t be late,” Damon replied, starting the car and driving out of the neighborhood.

The warm winter sun streamed through the car window, falling over Aubrey, a comforting warmth.

Damon’s car was clean, subtly fragrant, and utterly comfortable.

Aubrey leaned against the seatback, her head tilted as she gazed out at the city’s morning view.

Even without a single word exchanged between them, an inexplicable contentment settled deep within her.

Suddenly, the car pulled to a stop in front of a convenience store.

Aubrey turned her head, puzzled.“What’s wrong?”