A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 306

However, as excited as everyone else was, Matilda's mood was notably subdued in comparison.

Yvan, after all this time, does your gesture of goodwill not seem a bit ridiculous?

...

The much-anticipated Jungle Union Cruise kicked off as scheduled. The studio gang had arranged to meet up, and when Matilda arrived, draped in a trench coat over a flowing white dress, on the arm of Adrian, she looked like a goddess descending among mortals. Hala was utterly stunned, "What! Your date is Adrian?”

Luna, clutching the arm of her brother Cyprian, squealed, “Wow! Bro! It's Adrian! He's so hot, like a Hollywood star…”

Cyprian forcefully turned his sister's face towards him, “Look at me! Don’t drool over other men!”

Hala entered with her dad, leaving Baxter and Yoshi looking at each other. Yoshi broke the silence, “So, Baxter, if you don’t mind, I could walk in with you.”

“...Get lost!” Baxter's face turned green with disgust. “I’m not about to hold hands with another guy and waltz in like it's prom night! How embarrassing!”

Yet, in the end—

“Dude, check it out, two guys coming together.”

“Huh, you think they’re…? The one with the glasses seems pretty submissive, and the tall guy looks like a top…”

“Are all gay guys this good-looking nowadays? Let me try to get their WhatsApp.”

Yoshi and Baxter walked in with faces as grim as if they were headed to a duel, Yoshi muttered, “It's your fault for sticking so close. Now everyone thinks I'm gay.”

Baxter rolled his eyes, “As if I’m thrilled about it. If Luna hadn’t left with her brother, you wouldn’t be standing next to me.”

“Whatever…” Yoshi, lost for words after Baxter’s retort, waved it off, “Alright, goddess!”

He waved towards Matilda in the center of the venue. Adrian, ever the gentleman, held her trench coat as she took it off, and then they went to pose for photos with the headliners of the music festival. The studio crew crowded around to join in.

“Count me in!” The group, always eager for a bit of chaos, turned their attention to Adrian, “Mr. Simpson, nice to meet you!”

“Pleasure's all mine.” Adrian maintained his perfect gentleman persona, smiling just right as the photographer directed, “Okay, look this way!”

They all laughed together for the group photo, with Matilda and Adrian looking like the perfect couple at the back.

Tonight was rumored to feature some of the top DJs, acts that usually cost a fortune to book, their fame rivaling that of rising stars in the entertainment industry.