The first meeting

Chapter 5 – The First Meeting

"So, Rosaline," Bral began, "in this world—and in every other world—your name will always be Rosaline."

Before he could finish, Rosaline quietly whispered,

"...Augustus."

Her voice trembled.

Bral smiled gently.

"Yes. His name will always be Augustus."

"No matter what title he holds... no matter which country he lives in... his name will always remain the same."

Rosaline took a deep breath.

"Okay... tell me more."

Bral nodded.

"You're about to meet him for the first time."

"This place is a resort where your father and Augustus's father have arranged a business picnic."

"Your father and his father have been close friends for years, but because of work, your family has always lived far away."

"So although everyone has heard about you..."

"...very few have actually met you."

"They don't even know what you look like."

"You've just arrived."

"Meanwhile, Augustus and his group of friends are relaxing near the swimming pool."

"You haven't met them yet."

Bral continued,

"There's something else you should know."

"It's not just your father and Augustus's father."

"There are six other businessmen who are close friends as well."

"They meet every few years to strengthen both their friendship and their business partnerships."

Rosaline listened carefully.

"Among all of those families..."

"One of their daughters is destined to become Augustus's wife in this universe."

Rosaline frowned.

"So I have to figure out who she is?"

"Exactly."

"And how am I supposed to do that?"

"I'm not someone who spies on people or invades their privacy."

Bral shrugged.

"You'll have to this time."

"But remember..."

"Your main goal is Augustus."

"Don't waste your time collecting everyone's gossip."

Rosaline rolled her eyes.

He's unbelievably cheeky.

No wonder nobody wants him as their handler.

"Fine," she sighed.

"Now do me a favor."

"Shut your mouth."

Bral ignored the comment.

"Oh, and one more thing."

"You eat quite a lot."

"Try not to overeat, or you'll gain weight."

Rosaline stared at him in disbelief.

"Excuse me?"

Bral proudly puffed out his chest.

"I have a handsome face."

"And six-pack abs."

Rosaline looked him up and down.

"Who cares?"

"You look like someone with a one-pack."

"At this rate, you'll turn into a fat cat someday."

Bral's eyebrows twitched.

"Hey!"

"That was rude."

He cleared his throat.

"Anyway..."

"You wanted to know how to find Augustus's future wife."

"Yes."

"How?"

"You'll have to observe their chemistry."

"Their chemistry?"

"Yes."

"They'll be comfortable around each other."

"They'll laugh together."

"They'll naturally help one another."

"That's usually how close friends behave."

Rosaline crossed her arms.

"That describes almost every friendship."

"How am I supposed to tell the difference?"

Bral sighed.

"Fine."

"I'll help you this once."

"But from the next universe onward..."

"You're on your own."

He reached into his pocket and handed her a beautiful silver brooch decorated with a crystal in the center.

Rosaline accepted it carefully.

"What does this do?"

"When you're close to Augustus's destined love interest..."

"...or, as you'd call her..."

"...his future wife—"

Rosaline shot him a sharp glare.

"I am his wife."

"I've always been his wife."

"There will never be another one."

Bral laughed nervously.

"R-Right."

"My mistake."

He pointed at the brooch.

"It'll glow."

Rosaline raised an eyebrow.

"Glow?"

"It looks shiny already."

"Of course it'll sparkle in the sunlight."

As if to prove her point, the crystal reflected the sunlight brilliantly.

Bral rubbed the back of his neck.

"No..."

"I mean it'll glow in a completely different way."

"You'll know when it happens."

Before Rosaline could ask another question, Bral suddenly looked to one side.

"Oh."

"My second customer is calling."

"I have to go."

"Good luck!"

The connection ended immediately.

"Bral!"

Rosaline shouted in her mind.

No answer.

She clenched her fists.

One day...

I'm definitely going to make him pay for being so annoying.

She let out a long sigh.

Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice.

"Rosaline, my dear! What are you doing over there?"

She turned around.

"Mom!"

"I was just looking at this beautiful mango tree."

Her mother smiled.

"It is beautiful, isn't it?"

"Come on."

"We need to take our luggage to the hotel."

Rosaline looked around.

"Where's Dad?"

"He's talking with his old friends."

"You know how excited he gets whenever they all meet again."

Rosaline smiled.

"Yeah..."

"I guess he would be."

Her mother reached for the luggage.

"Come on, sweetheart."

"I'll carry these."

Rosaline immediately stopped her.

"No, Mom."

"I've got it."

"These bags are heavy."

"I can handle them."

She picked up two trolley bags with ease and slung her backpack over her shoulders.

Just then...

"Rosaline!"

Her father called from a distance.

"Come here!"

She quickly left the luggage beside her mother.

"Coming, Dad!"

Rosaline hurried over.

Her father was beaming with pride.

"There she is!"

"This is my beautiful daughter, Rosaline."

He turned toward an elderly gentleman.

"Rosaline, this is Uncle Mike."

"I've told you so much about him."

Rosaline smiled warmly.

The man looked to be in his sixties.

His glasses were slightly dusty, making him look as though he had just finished some work.

"Hello, Uncle Mike."

"How are you?"

The old man laughed.

"You still remember me?"

Rosaline smiled.

"I don't remember much from when I was little..."

"But Dad talks about you all the time."

"After all..."

"You're his best friend."

A loud voice interrupted them.

"Hey!"

"If he's your father's best friend..."

"What does that make me?"

Everyone laughed.

Rosaline turned toward the speaker.

Standing beside her father was another cheerful gentleman.

Mr. Harrison.

She stared at him for a brief moment.

So...

This is the man who will become my father-in-law.

Because...

Augustus's full name is Augustus Harrison.

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