Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 38

Chapter 38

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The night was quiet and still.

In the early hours of the morning, the company’s chartered bus pulled up outside Cloudbreak Heights.

Aubrey said goodbye to her last two colleagues, exited the bus, and started walking home.

The team–building trip had been to a guesthouse just outside Crestview City, a chance to reconnect with nature and indulge in local delicacies.

When she reached her front door,

Aubrey pressed the fingerprint scanner and gently pushed open the front door.

The moment she saw the living room light on, a pang of surprise went through her. At this hour, Damon should have been long asleep.

She stepped inside to change her shoes, then glanced toward the living room.

Sure enough Damon was still awake.

He was wearing casual loungewear, sitting comfortably on the living room sofa, watching TV.

Still watching TV at this hour?

Aubrey walked in her slippers soft on the floor, her gaze shifting to the TV.

Damon’s gaze met hers. She was staring at the basketball game on the screen, a puzzled frown creasing her brow. The two words in the top right corner, Replay, were undeniably clear.

Why are you still watching the game at this hour?” Aubrey asked, placing her bag on the sofa and the snack bag on the coffee table before settling down beside him.

Damon didn’t answer her question. Instead, he suddenly shifted closer, lowered his head, and without a word, pressed his face close to hers.

His sudden lean–in startled Aubrey. She instinctively recoiled, her hands planting on the sofa as she leaned back against the cushions.

Her heart hammered in her chest.

Thump–thump, thump–thump, thump–thump–thump….

Inches away, she could smell the faint, clean scent of Damon’s short hair, feel the warmth of his breath ghosting over her skin.

Her breath hitched, her body tensed. She swallowed hard, her voice coming out soft and shaky. “What are you doing?”

She thought Damon was going to kiss her, her cheeks burning. As she froze, waiting, he didn’t lean in. Instead, he stilled, took a deep breath, sniffed, then straightened up in his seat.

Perfect, no alcohol on your breath,” Damon said coolly, turning his attention back to the television.

Aubrey was instantly speechless.

So he was just checking if she’d been drinking. Aubrey let out a long, quiet breath, sitting rigidly, feeling both awkward and self–conscious

What had she just been thinking? That Damon was going to kiss her?

She wouldn’t even dare to dream of such a thing!

Her ears burned. Awkwardly, she grabbed a snack bag from the coffee table. There was a raffle at today’s event,” she blurted out. I didn’t win the grand prize, but my boss gave me a lot of consolation prizes.”

Damon lowered his gaze, looking at the bag in her hand

Aubrey pulled out a box of Pecan Cookies and handed it to Damon “These are a specialty from our region,” she explained. “You probably haven’t tried them before, they’re savory and sweet, really delicious”

“Thanks,” Damon said, taking the box. A barely perceptible curve touched the corner of his lips, and his eyes softened as he gently studied the Pecan

Cookies.

Aubrey pulled out a second box and stacked it in Damon’s hands, right on top of the Pecan Cookies. “These are Butter Cookies,” she added. “Also a specialty from our area.”

She took out a third box and stacked it on top, her voice lightening slightly.“And these are called Wife Cakra”

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< Chapter 38

Either the TV’s volume masked it, or Aubrey’s voice was simply too soft.

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Damon heard the last two words, his body stiffening. His grip tightened on the three boxes of cookies in his hand as he abruptly looked up, staring at her, a slight tremor in his pupils, his eyes filled with a trace of disbelieving shock.

Aubrey was stunned by his reaction, by the stark disbelief in his eyes.

She was equally bewildered, her eyes meeting his in confusion. Why such a strong reaction to a few boxes of local treats from her hometown? she wondered.

“Say that again,” Damon rasped, clearing his throat.

He, too, wondered if he’d misheard.

Aubrey lifted a finger, pointing at the three boxes of cookies in his hand, and recited their names from bottom to top: “Pecan Cookies, Butter Cookies, Wife Cakes.”

Damon’s ears instantly flushed. He pressed his lips together in a faint, embarrassed smile and nodded awkwardly. “Yeah, I heard you.”

‘Wife Cakes are a local specialty from my hometown,” Aubrey explained. “Despite the name, they’re savory pastries, often with a winter melon paste filling. I wasn’t sure if you’d ever tried them, so I brought some back for you to try. I know you’re not big on sweets, so I didn’t bring you any of the overly sugary ones.”

Damon’s lips thinned. His gaze lingered on the three boxes of local treats in his hands before he slowly lifted his eyes to meet Aubrey’s.“You brought hese… for me?”

Aubrey’s heart pounded with sudden panic. She quickly explained, “These are consolation gifts from work because I didn’t win the grand prize. A lot of hem are really sweet specialty treats, so I specifically picked these three. The Butter Cookies are slightly sweet, but the other two are savory. They hould be more to your liking.”

You remembered I don’t like sweets?” Damon gazed at her, his deep, dark eyes narrowing slightly.

Aubrey felt a soft flutter deep in her chest as he watched her.

A current of charged warmth pulsed between them, their gazes locking, and the air suddenly grew heavy and hot.

Aubrey’s cheeks burned even hotter. She had no idea how to answer, how to diffuse the suddenly charged atmosphere.

Damon was the first to break the stillness.

Thank you.” He stood, holding the three boxes of cookies. “It’s late. Head back to your room, shower, and get some rest.”

Aubrey pointed at the television.“Your game isn’t over yet,” she said.

Only then did Damon realize he hadn’t turned it off.

He walked over, picked up the remote, and turned off the TV. His deep eyes brimmed with warmth, his voice gentle, “What do you want for breakfast

omorrow?”

Huh?” Aubrey blinked.

Porridge? Or rice noodles?”

While Damon loved dishes made with flour, Aubrey’s preference was always for rice.

Aubrey picked up her bag and stood, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.“Steamed rice noodle rolls, then?”

she was deliberately giving him a challenge.

Damon’s answer was surprisingly quick.“Absolutely. Egg and lean pork rice noodle rolls, and I’ll even make you some millet porridge.”

Outside, December’s biting cold clung to the air, but inside, Damon made Aubrey feel a warmth so intense it almost made her flush.

His aloofness from the past few days melted away.

ust three boxes of cookies she’d brought back seemed to have completely won him over.

Aubrey stood still, her posture almost demure, twisting the strap of her bag as she met his gentle gaze, a faint smile on her lips. ‘Mm–hmm,‘ she murmured, nodding.

Tomorrow, you can get up half an hour later.”

“Why?”

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< Chapter 38

From now on, I’ll drive you to work.”

Aubrey’s heart hammered. She quickly shook her head.“No, you don’t have to. I can just take the subway.”

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During morning rush hour, the subway gets incredibly crowded. Sometimes, just queuing to get into the station can take half an hour.”

How do you know that?”

I’ve ridden it, that’s how I know.”

t felt as if a feather had lightly brushed across the depths of Aubrey’s heart, stirring gentle ripples that deeply moved her.

But she didn’t want to inconvenience Damon.“Honestly, you don’t have to,” she insisted.“Our workplaces aren’t even on the same route. If you drop me off, you’ll end up being late yourself.”

My work schedule is pretty flexible; I can easily adjust it.”

But I can’t let you drive me every single day…”

before she could even finish, Damon had already turned and headed for his room, tossing over his shoulder, “Get some sleep.”

Damon….” Aubrey’s voice was laced with urgency as she followed him.“I really don’t need a ride.”

Damon stepped into his room, one hand already reaching for the doorknob, the other still holding what looked like a cookie.

Frustration blooming, Aubrey pressed both hands against his doorframe, her voice sharp and deliberate.“I take the subway to work by myself. I don’t eed you to drive me. Do you understand?”

Damon offered a calm, almost amused smile.“We’re friends, Aubrey. Don’t be silly. I won’t charge you gas money.”

This isn’t about gas money,” Aubrey countered, her expression darkening with seriousness. “It’s about your time and energy.”

I have more than enough time and energy.”

Damon, you-”

Damon cut her off, his voice smooth and utterly composed. “If you won’t let me close my door, Aubrey, are you trying to imply you want to sleep with ne tonight?”

The sudden, suggestive comment hung heavy in the air.

Aubrey’s heart gave a terrified lurch, and she snatched her hands back instantly, her cheeks flushing crimson once more.

Goodnight,” Damon said, a knowing smile playing on his lips as he slowly eased the door shut.

Aubrey stood outside his door, letting out a deep breath.

The word he’d just used echoed in her mind: Friends!

What kind of just friends went to these lengths, cooking breakfast and driving her to work?

jome feelings, adults just knew implicitly. They weren’t meant to be openly dissected.

I soft smile bloomed on Aubrey’s lips. She lowered her head, eyes cast down, and turned to walk back to her room.

The felt incredibly lucky to still be his friend.

The wouldn’t indulge in any more melodrama.

Besides, even a casual friendship, she didn’t know how long it would last.

ust cherish what they had.

The next morning

She slept in an extra half hour, and true to her wish, Damon had made her egg and lean pork rice noodle rolls, along with milles porridge.

She no longer had to brave the packed subway, standing for the entire ride, or rush to make it on time. Instead, she’d simply settle into Damon’s warm, comfortable car, munch on the snacks he’d packed, and arrive at work feeling completely relaxed

Her work schedule was erratic, often keeping her late at the office, returning home long after dark.

While Damon never picked her up from work, a soft glow always emanated from the living room every time she returned home.

Damon was always there, waiting

< Chapter 38

If she managed to get home early enough, she could even snag one of Damon’s dinners.

She even found herself disliking overtime.

Her three daily meals gradually became consistent, and her stomach issues hadn’t flared up once.

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They weren’t a couple, but it was as if they’d slipped back into their cohabiting life from five years ago, a time that had been equally warm and fulfilling. Because they were merely friends, the intense intimacy and lingering affection of their initial passionate romance were naturally absent, as was the playful teasing and lighthearted banter.

Still, after living together for a while, there were inevitably some awkward, charged moments that left them both feeling distinctly uncomfortable. Their chats on a Whatsapp steadily increased in frequency. Sometimes they’d text, other times exchange voice notes, and occasionally, they’d simply

video call.

Two weeks went by.

It was the night before the Winter Solstice.

Aubrey had just stepped out of the subway when her Whatsapp buzzed.

She pulled out her phone and saw a voice message from Damon.

She tapped play.

Damon’s voice, deep and warm, cut through the cold winter air.“Did you get off work?”

She sent back a nodding emoji, followed by a message.“Just got out of the subway, almost at the apartment complex.”

Another voice message from Damon chimed in.“Tomorrow’s Winter Solstice. Do you have the day off?”

Aubrey held down the talk button.“No, why?”

“If you’re not off, then we’ll have soup and dumplings for breakfast.”

“It’s a tradition for Winter Solstice, you know? Some families have soup, some have dumplings, and some have both.”

“Okay, Master Chef. Your wish is my command.”

“Such a sweet talker. So, what kind of soup filling do you want?”

“Peanut filling.”

“Got it. Peanut–filled soup for you tomorrow morning.”

“You’re making them yourself?”

“No, I can’t actually make those from scratch. I’ll have to buy the packaged ones.”

Aubrey walked, listening to Damon’s message on the Whatsapp, a smile refusing to leave her lips.

Damon’s deep voice, whether in a voice message or in person, was always so enchanting.

She feigned disappointment, drawing out the last syllable as she replied, “Okaaaay.”

Damon immediately asked,“Are you upset?”

Aubrey didn’t want to put him on the spot. She knew that one word from her, and he’d be searching for tutorials, going to great lengths to make complicated peanut filled soup from scratch.

“No, I’m not upset. I’m actually really excited. Tomorrow’s the Winter Solstice, and there’s going to be fireworks and a drone show down by the beach”

“I’ll go with you.”

“Let’s just see tomorrow. I don’t even know if I’ll have to work late”

Aubrey walked into the residential complex, her head bowed, exchanging a rapid–fire airing of texts with Damon

She couldn’t even wait until she was home to keep talking to him.

The main road through the complex was deserted, hazy in the dim night, the streetlights casting a faint glow. “Aubrey.”

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A sudden, furious roar, a voice she knew all too well, ripped through the quiet from behind her.

Aubrey jumped, her grip tightening on her phone as she spun around.

t was Caleb.

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Caleb’s face was dark, his eyes holding a chilling menace. His fists were clenched as he charged towards her, his fury a palpable, aggressive aura.

Aubrey immediately slipped her phone into her jacket pocket, her hand diving into her bag to grip her stun gun.

What do you want?” Aubrey asked, her eyes fixed nervously on him.

What’s with your mother?” Caleb thundered, his voice raw with fury. Your brother’s wedding is on Christmas’s Day next month, just a few days away, and she suddenly says she doesn’t need my money? She also said you don’t want to marry me, that she won’t force you anymore, and that I should stop sothering you!”

Aubrey was curious herself about what Damon had said or done to her mother.

Lately, her mother hadn’t bothered her at all, and her life now felt incredibly peaceful and comfortable.

The law grants every adult the freedom to marry. If I don’t want to, no one can force me into it. So, whether my mom agrees or not, it doesn’t matter.”

Caleb snarled, a cold sneer twisting his lips. “Don’t forget, you owe me.”

I don’t owe you anything.”

Are you messing with me? You and your mom, playing me together now?” Caleb’s teeth were clenched, his eyes dark and menacing. He lunged forward, grabbing her arm.“Come on. We’re going to my place to talk about our wedding.”

Let go!” Aubrey snapped, wrenching her arm free. She fumbled in her bag, pulling out the stun gun, and jabbed it into his side.