Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)
Chapter 880

"Of course, it's for you, so no more pouting, okay?"

Alyssa took the bunch of daisies with her head bowed, a blush on her cheeks. "Thanks."

It was the first time she'd received flowers from Michael.

They weren't roses, but to her, they felt infinitely more precious. Inside, it felt like there was a meadow in her heart, blooming with wildflowers. She was elated.

The world seemed to light up around her. She started singing, hopping and skipping around. It was a moment just for her and Michael.

Later, Michael returned to Julia, whispering in her ear with a smirk, "The girl's never seen much of life, easy to impress."

Julia rolled her eyes at him.

That night, the three of them lay on a haystack in the yard, gazing at the stars.

The countryside was different from the city. A glittering river of stars moved slowly overhead. So distant, yet seemingly within reach.

"It's so beautiful," Alyssa couldn't help but sigh.

Julia, lying in the middle, said with a smile, "If you like it, you can come over anytime. There's not much in the countryside, but you can't see the sky full of stars in the city." Alyssa's lips curved into a smile.

Yet, in her heart, she knew that she would never come back.

This memory was enough.

If there was a next time, she knew she would only want more. She was already wanting more.

How she wished it was just her and Michael lying there and it was her forehead he kissed.

In the evening, while Julia was showering, Michael was out feeding the sheep.

Alyssa sat in a little chair in the yard, her gaze inevitably falling on Michael. He was handsome, sure, but there were other good-looking guys out there. And he had a bit of a rogue air about him. Why did she like him so much? It was like a spell.

Michael seemed to notice her gaze and came over with a handful of wild grass.

"Hey girl, you wanna try feeding the sheep?" he teased.

Alyssa blinked. "Not really."

Michael looked puzzled. "Aren't you rich girls, with your delicate hands, curious about country life? Isn't that what the fancy farm stays are for, pretending to live like us poor folks?"

Alyssa huffed. "You've got it all wrong. At those places, they stick to fishing or prawn catching, nobody's feeding pigs or sheep."

Michael sat down beside her. "When I make it big, I'm buying Julia a huge house in the city with a yard. We'll have four or five kids, three dogs, a couple of cats, maybe a sheep pen, and a garden full of veggies, just like the countryside."

It was rare for Michael to share such thoughts with Alyssa. It was as if he really saw her as his friend.

As Michael sketched out the future, Alyssa found herself imagining living that life with him. The life Michael described seemed to be exactly what she wanted.

"Michael, I like you!" She didn't know why, but the words burst out of her.

Alyssa would later think that perhaps that confession was the beginning of all her misfortunes.

But at that moment, it felt like a truth that had been lingering on her lips for far too long. She had been holding back for so long.

The life Michael described was too enticing, and she let her guard down completely.