Ivan remembered that he responded to Mila without hesitation, "Yes, I have loved her for a long time. I don't plan to be in love with anyone else."
At that time, Mila's reaction seemed normal. She nodded, smiling, and then said, "Same. There's also such a person for me, whom I have loved for so long and I don't plan to ever fall in love with anyone else."
Ivan didn't ask, nor did he think about it.
Looking back now, the person Mila was talking about should be him.
Mila could tell that Ivan remembered it. So, she said, "Yes, I had feelings for you since then. I was hoping alcohol could give me the courage to confess to you. But you told me you're in already in love. So, I decided I should shut up. Otherwise, it might be the last time we heard from each other."
Looking at Ivan, Mila could not hide the affection in her eyes. "But now, the person you love is in love too. They are even married. So, I wonder... Mr. Baxter, what if I wait another five years? Will you accept me?"
Ivan didn't know how to answer.
He would sound heartless no matter what he answered.
The room slowly became quiet.
Ivan didn't speak until the waiter knocked on the door, "Mila, you don't have to..."
"I do. Maybe for you, it's pointless. But for me, it's important!"
Mila looked at the door and said, "Come in."
The waiter entered the room after hearing the response. Looking at Mila and Ivan, he asked respectfully, "I'm sorry to disturb you, but one of the dishes you ordered is out of stock. I'm afraid you'll have to wait half an hour. Or would you like to change it into something else?"
As he spoke, the waiter handed the menu to Mila again.
The dish unavailable was one of Mila's favorites. Mila glanced at the menu and ordered another dish that Ivan liked, "This one, please."
"Okay, please wait a minute."
After the waiter left, Mila looked at Ivan again, "I don't know what your mother told you. But I admit I have told her about my feelings for you."
Ivan frowned slightly when he heard Mila's words, "Mila, you..."
"Ivan."
Mila interrupted Ivan, "Let me finish, please."
Ivan pursed his lower lip, listening.
Mila whispered, "I know you like Ms. Thompson. But Ivan, she is married and pregnant now. Even if she didn't go back to Mr. Lawrence, do you think things would work out between you and her? I guess your parents used to like Ms. Thompson, right? If she wasn't married... if she wasn't pregnant... maybe they would accept her, but now..."
"Mila, I get what you mean. But I like her as she is. It has nothing to do with what she did or went through."
Mila pursed her lower lip when she heard Ivan's words. "So... You still like her, even though she is married and even pregnant. She is still the only one for you, right?"
Ivan had the impulse to say yes.
Yet how ironic the reality was!
"Mila, I love her. I did, and I still do. As for the future, I will try to hold this feeling only to myself."
"And then? What are you going to do? "
Ivan didn't speak.
Ivan wanted to say something. Then he thought he was clear enough and Mila was a smart person, so she should understand him.
Ivan didn't speak. He treated Mila as before.
To Ivan's surprise, however, after they left the restaurant, Mila stopped and looked at him, "Ivan."
"Yes?"
"I think I still like you and want you, no matter what you say or who you love."
"You..."
"You're also still in love with her, despite who she is now and what she did, aren't you?" Mila interrupted Ivan.
Ivan looked at her and frowned, "Why bother yourself?"
Mila stood in front of Ivan. Before he finished his sentence, she took a step towards him and said, "Well, since you think you will always like Ms. Thompson, and I also think that I will always like you, then why don't we take a gamble."
"About what?"
"A three-year marriage contract. If you haven't let go of Ms. Thompson or fallen in love with me by then, we'll split up."
Speaking of this, Mila paused, "I think I will always like you."
When Ivan heard Mila's words, he chuckled, "Mila, this is pointless."
Mila looked at him, "Is it? Or are you afraid that you will fall in love with me in the three years, or you will stop loving Ms. Thompson?"
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