When I Was a Wallflower (Leo and Amelie)
Chapter 319

Chapter 319 Innocent Taste of Youth

Amelie was posing and highlighting her figure under Bria's guidance, but all of a sudden, something tightened around her waist as her body collided with someone's broad chest.

Her nose caught a whiff of the unique scent of a man, but before she could react, the man's voice sounded. "Please help us take a photo."

She turned to see Leo handing his phone to a man who was equipped with a digital camera. The man looked at the three in surprise, then immediately nodded. "Of course, of course."

Amelie was speechless.

"Can the mom please carry the girl? Then the dad can hold both the mom and the girl in his arms." The man was obviously a professional as he quickly gave them instructions.

Bria proactively settled into Amelie's embrace as Leo reached out and draped his arms around the two.

Warmth invaded Amelie's back as Leo leaned against her.

The man had long enough arms that he could easily embrace the two.

"Good. The dad has an especially pleasant expression. The mom should smile wider."

Leo was presenting his most honest self as he gazed gently at the people in his arms, his usually stern face colored with rare tenderness.

When the man saw Leo's expression, he couldn't praise the latter enough. Amelie forcefully raised the corners of her mouth.

"Can the mom smile a bit brighter?"

Even though Amelie was quite beautiful and her smile was already nice enough, the photographer still wanted a more astounding expression.

Bria hastily reached out her little fingers and pushed up the corners of Amelie's mouth. The photographer took a few shots. Leo's phone had exceptional specs, so its camera was on par with professional cameras. The photographer was amazed.

Amelie finally let out a sigh of relief. She was about to push Leo away when she heard the photographer say, "Let's take a few more shots. The mom and the dad will hold the girl in turn—"

Despite Amelie's strong reluctance, Bria was extremely excited about it, and Leo didn't look like he wanted to stop.

Amelie had no choice but to take shot after shot under the photographer's direction.

The smile on her face almost went stiff.

She thought that with Leo's personality, he wouldn't allow someone else to direct him ceaselessly, but he remained silent as he obediently followed the photographer's instructions.

Amelie was lost for words. The impromptu photo shoot continued until the photographer's client arrived. He was a little reluctant, but he had no choice but to return the phone and leave.

Amelie was finally revived while Leo reluctantly moved his hand away from Amelie, then retrieved his phone to look at the photos.

The family was close and intimate in the photos, especially Amelie, who was held tightly in his arms. As Leo scanned the photos, his body began burning again.

"Ooh." Bria's little head tilted into view as she asked Amelie to carry her so she could see the photos.

She then swiped across the screen with her little fingers as if she couldn't wait any longer.

Leo looked at the photos, then turned his gaze onto Amelie's face.

Compared to the photos, she looked even livelier and prettier in person. The dim lights had taken on a suggestive vibe, and he gulped as he leaned in her direction. His lips were almost touching hers. In the end, he didn't do anything.

He wanted to touch her under her consent. Even though it might take a longer time, he was willing to wait. Just like how she had waited for him.

Bang!

Suddenly, a loud noise was heard. Several people were shocked as they turned simultaneously to look.

In the sky above the shimmering river, a blue flame burst in all directions and formed a flowery shape.

"Fireworks, fireworks!" Bria had only seen fireworks on TV before, so she couldn't help but jump up and down as she shouted.

She had just finished shouting when another few bangs sounded.

Amelie didn't expect any fireworks tonight, and she was so startled that she curled up and almost instinctively covered her ears.

She found her hands resting upon a pair of larger hands. She was stunned as she saw Leo standing right in front of her. His hands had covered her ears before hers could.

She was immediately reminded of a similar scene in the past. She suddenly remembered when she was in Quinn Town 10 years ago.

It was New Year's Eve, and she had sneaked out to accompany Leo.

When she arrived, Leo looked like an abandoned child as he sat alone on the windowsill, looking into the distance in a daze.

Quinn Town was a place that prioritized celebrations, so most of the hospital staff had gone home for the countdown. Even patients themselves wouldn't stay in the hospital. Hence, the entire hospital was eerily silent.

When she spoke to him, he pursed his lips and stayed silent. He was completely void of reaction like a statue.

Amelie could understand how he felt. It was New Year's, but his family didn't even visit him, much less take him home. He must be feeling terrible inside.

However, she didn't know how to make him happy, so she could only drag him downstairs to listen to the fireworks.

Quinn Town wasn't like the cities, and fireworks there were released at will. She brought him to a crowded place where people were setting up fireworks and playing with firecrackers.

She was actually deathly afraid of loud noises. Every New Year's, Steven would buy relatively quieter firecrackers, and he only got her sparklers instead of loud fireworks.

But she mustered up her courage for Leo's sake. She thought she could withstand it, but it wasn't until she arrived at the scene that she realized she had overestimated herself.

As soon as the firecrackers and fireworks went off, she was shocked and stiff as she leaned against Leo, shivering.

In the end, Leo sensed her trembling and covered her ears.

Leo laughed at her and said she was biting off more than she could chew. She was so scared, but she still pretended to be a hero.

He mocked her and told her that she was silly and that she should just tell him if she was scared. After that, however, he hugged her.

In her teenage years, she didn't wonder why he would hug her. She only felt her heart thumping wildly, even louder than the fireworks and the firecrackers.

It wasn't scary at all; it was extremely sweet. She wasn't sure if he did it on purpose, but his lips brushed against hers.

She had remembered the soft and innocent taste of youth for an entire 10 years. Amelie suddenly came to her senses.

The sickly youth in front of her had turned into a mature and handsome adult.

He was no longer lonely and helpless; he had already become independent and had risen above everyone else.

His thin lips were right in front of her, and there was a dark gleam in his eyes as he stared at her lips.

She felt like his lips would touch hers at any moment, so she took a step backward. Caught off guard, he found his hands covering air instead of her ears.

"It's getting late. Let's go back."

Amelie turned around and left. Even though Bria hadn't had enough, Leo picked her up, so she could only follow them back.

On their way home, they were especially quiet. Amelie lowered her head and remained silent, and Leo didn't say anything either.

Bored, Bria yawned and leaned against Leo's shoulder as she tossed and turned. Soon, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

"Let me hold her." Once at the entrance of the community, Amelie spoke up.

Leo held the child and stayed still, focusing his gaze directly on Amelie.

Even though he hadn't said anything, his straightforward gaze was like a hook that threatened to reel her heart out. Amelie avoided his gaze and cleared her throat. "There's something I didn't tell you. I started seeing someone."