Chapter 7

Maverick had arranged a confession scene by the beach.

For days since Bailee's discharge, he secretly prepared.

The beach was covered with pink rose petals, and hundreds of candles formed the words "I love you."

A table stood on the sand, displaying the cake he had ordered.

Once everything was ready, he had someone bring Bailee to the spot.

Bailee, already expecting his confession, eagerly anticipated the surprise.

Even with her expectations, the romantic, ceremonial setup touched her, warming her heart.

Maverick, dressed in a white suit, strode toward her with long steps, holding roses.

His expression mixed unease and nervousness, his eyes carrying a hint of hope. "Bailee, when you were abroad, I never got the chance to tell you how I felt. Now that you're back, I want to say I'm into you. Will you be my girlfriend?"

Bailee's cheeks flushed as she gently took the roses. "I will. I'm into you too."

Overwhelmed, Maverick hugged her tightly, as if holding a rare treasure. "That's amazing."

He leaned down, softly kissing her lips.

Bailee closed her eyes, letting the roses fall to the ground, her arms wrapping around his neck as she returned the kiss.

After Bailee agreed to be with him, Maverick completely forgot about Beatrixa, spending every day with Bailee.

When Bailee wanted to shop, he went with her, carrying her bags.

When she suggested a spontaneous trip, he immediately planned itineraries and asked where she wanted to go.

For nearly two weeks, he stayed by her side, posting about her daily on social media.

Despite being together, Bailee refused to cross certain boundaries with him.

Even when he hinted at wanting more, she declined, saying with a pitiful look that she wanted to take things slowly.

She wanted her first time to be special, saved for their wedding night.

Though frustrated, Maverick respected her wishes.

After all, Bailee was the girl he had loved for years-beautiful and kind. If she wasn't ready, he was willing to wait.

Only then did Maverick realize he hadn't contacted Beatrixa in a long time.

Thinking of her, his throat tightened.

Since their last argument, they hadn't been intimate.

Their last conversation was before his confession to Bailee, when Beatrixa was still in the hospital, injured.

By now, her wounds should have healed.

A flicker of irritation rose in him.

In the past, Beatrixa would have told him about her recovery or discharge without him asking.

But now, she hadn't messaged him in over two weeks.

"Maverick, what's on your mind? You're so lost in thought you didn't even notice us," his friends said as they entered the living room.

Maverick, staring at his phone, hadn't heard them come in.

Seeing his close friends, his tense expression softened.

He snapped out of it, his face darkening slightly, his tone flat. "Beatrixa hasn't messaged me in over two weeks, not since I confessed to Bailee."

One friend laughed. "Isn't that perfect? If Bailee found out you had a thing with your neighbor girl, she might get jealous and break up with you."

Maverick's expression stayed grim, ignoring the joke.

Finally, someone spoke seriously. "Beatrixa likes you, doesn't she? Maybe she's upset because you're with Bailee and is ignoring you. Just sweet-talk her a bit."

Maverick took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. He had been focused on Bailee, neglecting Beatrixa. It made sense if she was sulking and avoiding him.

He sent her a message. "Bae, are you out of the hospital?"

The message failed to send, marked with a red exclamation point and a note, "The other party has enabled friend verification. Please add them as a friend to chat."

Maverick hadn't anticipated that Beatrixa would block and delete him.

"Maverick, what's up? You messaged her first. She must've forgiven you, right?" his friends asked, leaning in.

They saw the red exclamation point on his screen and froze.