The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne was no stranger to using her imagination. She rummaged through her bag and handed Aaron a stack of papers. “I need the final product in three days. Get it done.” Aaron accepted the papers, and to his surprise, they contained plans for a state-of-the-art camera system made from transparent crystal material. If installed as the eyes of a bionic robot, they would be indistinguishable from human eyes! “I assure you, the task will be completed.” This was Aaron's first mission since joining the Nine Mystics Society, and he could not afford to take it lightly.

He had to nail it to impress Vivienne and to prove that he, not Percival, was her most capable assistant.

“Good.” Vivienne nodded, watching Aaron's confident demeanor.

This was his chance to prove himself, and whether he succeeded or failed, she would finally be able to flush out the traitor.

The reason she had tasked Aaron was to test him, to ensure he was not naively treating the Society like skind of adventure game.

As Vivienne prepared to leave, Aaron opened his mouth to speak when a deep, magnetic voice called out from ahead.

“Vivienne, I'm here.” Both Vivienne and Aaron looked up, their expressions changing. Vivienne was elated. Aaron, on the other hand, was clearly annoyed.

“Mr. Wolf! Did you bring the strawberry cheesecake?” Vivienne ran over like a schoolgirl, throwing herself into Percival’s arms, her eyes lighting up at the thought of her favorite treat.

Percival chuckled and ruffled her hair. “Don’t you want Bleinstead of just eyeing the cheesecake?” “There's nothing like a strawberry cheesecake made by Mr. Wolf himself. Give it here!” Like a kitten after cream, Vivienne could not wait to dig into the cheesecake, and the stoic Percival unwrapped it for her to enjoy with ease.

As the sun cast its dying light across the playground, the two strolled off together.

Aaron watched Vivienne's profile as she savored each bite of the cheesecake, while the one he had waited half an hour in line to purchase sat abandoned on the steps.

The setting sun’s last gleam highlighted the cake box before fading away, along with Aaron's sweet hopes.

The mocking whispers of the wind seemed to scoff at his futile effort. “How laughable, your painstaking efforts couldn’t outshine a simple ‘I'm here’.” From a distance, Mara watched the scene unfold, a slow smile creeping across her lips.

Aaron sat dejectedly on the steps, methodically eating the strawberry cheesecake he had bought. The cloying sweetness made him feel nauseous as if he might retch.

Mara approached with a timely offering of iced coffee.”l heard the campus heartthrob was moping here, so | cto check it out.” Aaron accepted the iced coffee. Though he had not spent much twith Mara, their mutual friend Kenneth had introduced them, and they had becfriends.

“Thanks, but what's this about a campus heartthrob?” Aaron asked, surprised.

Mara sat down beside him, plucking a strawberry from the cake and popping it into her mouth. “You and Kenneth, man. The gaming ace and the future finance mogul, the ideal boyfriend, inheriting a fortune. You guys are always together, and people are shipping you two together, big time.” Aaron frowned. “What's all this nonsense?” “You're not one for the campus gossip, | guess. | knew about it on my first day. The top-liked post on the campus network is about you and Kenneth playing basketball.” Mara showed him the campus network on her phone. “Look at all the confessions. People are saying if you guys were not a thing, they'd go after you.” Aaron nearly choked on his tea. “There’s nothing between us. If anything, he’s my rival. Always has been.” Mara couldn't help but laugh at Aaron’s flushed face. “I know you guys are just bros, but it’s fun for us to fantasize. There are plenty who have secret crushes on you.” At the mention of secret crushes, Aaron's spirits visibly sank.

Secret crushes were painful. No amount of strawberry cheesecake could cure that kind of heartache.

Mara saw right through Aaron, having witnessed the scene with Vivienne.

“Something on your mind? If you want, I'm here to listen,” she offered with a warm smile.

Aaron, needing to vent, did not care who was listening anymore.

“I've liked someone for years. She's been my entire youth, but she doesn’t likeback. She’s already engaged to someone else.” Aaron hung his head low. “I don’t know how to get her to notice me. It feels like she’s slipping away.” “She was never yours to begin with! You're outstanding, but Percival is many times more outstanding,” Mara thought silently, though she maintained a sympathetic exterior.

“The truth is, it's all in your head. Have you ever confessed your feelings to her? Maybe if you had, things would be different. Women like to keep men guessing, and if you take that seriously, you might just lose your chance.” Aaron paused. “Are you saying she’s been waiting forto make a move? But she’s engaged.” “So what? If she really didn’t care for you, would she meet with you? Being engaged is not the sas being married. It’s not about breaking up a relationship; it’s about finding true love.” As Mara spoke, Aaron stood up. “How did you know we met?”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

“Seriously, dude, you're walking around with a strawberry cheesecake? And you're chowing down like it’s your last meal. That's totally something you'd get for a girl. Spill it, man. Who is she? Someone from our university? Need my help?” Mara teased as he eyed Aaron’s dessert with a mix of amusement and curiosity.

Aaron waved him off, “Nah, I got this.” “Alright, suit yourself. I've got an appointment with my sister-in-law tomorrow for a treatment. I've been breaking out like crazy, so | guess | won't have tto run your love errands anyway,” Mara said with a nonchalant shrug.

“Your sister-in-law?” Aaron raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah, Vivienne,” Mara confirmed with a nod. “She’s agreed to treat my scar, and I'm super grateful. If only she could forgivefor the dumb stuff I've done in the past. Hey, | heard you're training under her. Could you, maybe, helpout? | just want her to let bygones be bygones. It would take a load off my aunt’s mind, too.” Aaron thought for a moment, then said, “Alright, where's this treatment happening? I'll swing by.” “Really? Thanks, man!” Mara forced a bright smile, but a shadow of ulterior motives flickered in his eyes.