Ivory, who originally wanted to argue, turned her back on him. She obediently finished the food on her plate because she didn't want to offend Aaron. In addition, Aaron's sweet treatment made her not have the heart to disobey her partner's words. After all, it was rare for her to eat delicious food like this without spending a dime.
In the middle of the meal, Ivory asked a question that had made her curious from the start.
"Aaron, how old are you?"
The man who was asked by his partner just smiled faintly. "Take a guess," he said.
Ivory thought hard. "Uhm, twenty … five?"
"A little bit more," Aaron chuckled. "I'm twenty-six. We're six years apart."
"Wow, twenty-six, and you been this successful," Ivory commented quietly.
"Many people are more successful than me. My classmates usually have important positions in several companies. Some of them are now joining as a part of The Higher-ups."
"What about you? Why don't you join The Higher-ups either?"
"Politics isn't my thing," Aaron replied. "I'm allergic to that kind of power. It is better to do business and keep away from sickness."
Ivory laughed when she heard Aaron likening The Higher-ups in terms of sickness. Aaron wasn't wrong. Not everyone who is a member of The Higher-ups can live in peace. Those who have a strong mentality can become part of the controller of the Amerta State. However, for those who have a weak mentality, then they can be kicked into prison. Even worse, they could be killed without going through the court law first if they made a mistake.
Ivory learned this fact from Roger. Roger certainly knew a little about The Higher-ups because his family blood was part of the regime. His grandfather, who died due to being killed by other Higher-ups, was a real example. Roger once told Ivory that his grandfather had been sentenced to death for trying to quit the Higher-ups after hearing something he shouldn't have heard. At least that's what Roger told Ivory. The story could remind her how those people there can do many things regardless of others.
If those who are the Primary could be easily slaughtered, what if the Secondary act up?
A long silence fell over them before Aaron broke it with a simple question.
"Do you have a wish list?"
Ivory, who was chewing, slowly stopped the movement of her mouth.
"Of course," she replied cheerfully. "I wrote down seven wish lists every birthday since I was seven years old in a diary book," she explained.
"Seven wish lists since you were seven? You're twenty right now, aren't you?"
Ivory nodded again.
"That means there are already 98 wish lists that you wrote?"
"Yes." Ivory piled her empty plate on top of Aaron's, already gone. Her lips curved into a dreamy sweet smile as she remembered her wish list neatly stored in her diary. "I was planning on writing a 100 wish list until my 20th birthday, but I still haven't found my last 2 wishes."
"May I see it?"
"Don't!" Ivory refused firmly. She cleared her throat awkwardly because she had just shouted in her partner's face. "Sorry, I mean, you don't have to. Most of it is just childish wishful thinking that doesn't really matter. You'll regret it after reading it."
Aaron shook his head in disapproval. "I don't think so. I'm interested in your wish."
The Violet eyes of Ivory met Aaron's beautiful amber eyes. Aaron's words just made her freeze. She remembered the words of someone in the past who had said the same thing to her.
"Thanks, Aaron, but you don't have to. You don't have to grant it to me. I'm—"
"At least tell the top ten of your wish list! Let's just say you're exchanging secrets with your best friend. Wouldn't that idea lighten you up more?"
Friend...
'He only thinks of me as his best friend?' Ivory thought for a moment.
Ivory seemed to object a little to Aaron's request. Honestly, she wanted to tell all his wish lists. Still, she was embarrassed and felt less confident because Aaron wasn't her closest person. It's a different story if Roger already knows most of her wish list.
"Come on, Ivy. My sweet partner. Tell me now."
Damn Aaron.
After she had just been considered a friend, Aaron now called her his sweet partner. That man is very skillful in turning someone's feelings around in a short time.
Ivory's heart, which had not been able to beat normally this time, rumbled louder at the ragged words of a man who was older than her. It sounded cheap, but somehow Ivory liked it. Even though her feelings were just swayed.
"Ivy," Aaron called.
Ivory took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Okay," she said with a heavy heart. "Not ten, but eight. Eight of the ninety-eight lists I have. Okay?"
"Cool."
Ivory chuckled. She recalled her wish list that had been arranged. She remembers every stroke of her wish very well, but she often forgets the order. The actual order is so important to her because it symbolizes the priority of her desires. Ivory tried hard to remember the number eight to first of the thing she wanted to achieve.
"The eighth..."
Aaron looked at Ivory expectantly. He seemed genuinely curious and wasn't just making small talk about his attraction to Ivory's wish. The man even leaned toward his partner.
"I want to enjoy the first snow with the people I care about."
In that second, the screams of the people around alighted Ivory's ears.
"Snow! It's snowing!"
"The first snow of winter has fallen!"
The two pairs of eyes turned to look at the blue sky above them to find out the truth.
And right.
The first snow of winter has fallen. Earlier than expected. In fact, if you look at the weather forecast, the first snow should fall next week. This was beyond Ivory's expectations. An unexpected coincidence.
They both stared at the tiny snowflakes that were starting to wet their hair and clothes.
Ivory stared at the sky that was falling snowflakes. She stretched out her palm in the air and felt the icy coldness against her skin. She smiled and glanced at Aaron, who was quietly looking at her. Ivory threw a sweet smile at her Copulation partner.
Ivory's happiness was shattered by a phone call from Aaron's cell phone. The man pulled out his smartphone from his black coat pocket and looked at the ring source. Ivory could see it. The name is written on the screen.
Joy.
The future partner's wife of Aaron called him.
Aaron's expression hesitated for a moment before he pressed the red button, rejecting the call from his fiancee.
"Why don't you pick it up?" Ivory asked hesitantly. She was curious. Previously Aaron would eagerly pick up calls from his girl and ignore Ivory for hours. Like last night, for example.
However, now Aaron turned down the call and stared deeply at Ivory's eyes.
"You said you wanted to enjoy the first snow? Let's enjoy it with me."