To him, his sister approached love like a tortoise, not a hare. The idea of her throwing caution to the wind for love was entirely outlandish. At the first sign of trouble, she would retreat into her shell.
It was inconceivable that she would dismiss a catch like Arno and instead pursue her boss, a challenge of Herculean proportions.
"Sis, you need to keep your head on straight. Arno is the one for you."
Aurelia rubbed her forehead. Her boss was standing in the room, and if she didn't explain herself properly, would he make things difficult for her later?
"Have I not told you countless times? Arno and I are just friends. We aren't dating, and we won't be dating."
"Why not?" Avery asked, not understanding. "I've already accepted Arno as my brother-in-law, and mom sees him as her son-in-law. If you two can't be together, we'll be disappointed and heartbroken."
Aurelia got herself a glass of water and had some before she replied,. "Haven't you read Arno's interview in Figure magazine? He claimed to be a bachelor at heart. He takes his relationships seriously, but he has no intentions of getting married."
Avery was taken aback. Arno, a bachelor? Why hadn't he ever mentioned this?
Aurelia wore a bittersweet smile. "What I want isn't just a relationship, but a love that blossoms into a family. I hope my first love, my first boyfriend, would be the man who accompanies me throughout my life."
Her gaze travelled beyond the window, falling on some unknown place, her voice distant and melancholic.
"I won't go for someone high and mighty like my boss, nor someone as wild and unrestrained like Arno. They're both too perfect, too outstanding. They couldn't possibly belong to one woman. Women's youth is limited. When I grow old and lose my beauty, there will be many more young and beautiful girls admiring them, obsessing over them. How could they possibly resist? I don't want to compete with younger girls for a pity position as his wife."
She paused, popping a cherry into her mouth. "So, I'd go for a man in the same social class as I am. Someone who would love me wholeheartedly, accompany me till old age. Even when we're old and sick, he would never leave, loyal and faithful."
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