After that, it seemed like Veronica was running into Daniel more often, sometimes on the school campus, sometimes on the playground, and sometimes in the library.
Sometimes, they just exchange a smile, while other times, Daniel would approach her and initiate a conversation.
A bewildering feeling spread in Veronicaâs heart, something she had never experienced before.
One day, when Daniel met Veronica again, he smiled and said, âI want to buy a pair of sneakers this Sunday. Um, do you have time? Can you help me pick out some sneakers?â
âMe?â Veronica paused for a moment, surprised.
âYes, are you free?â Daniel looked at her with bright eyes.
At that moment, Veronica suddenly didnât want her eyes to show disappointment. âOkay, Iâll go with you to pick out a dress on Sunday,â she replied.
Danielâs face immediately lit up with a sunny smile and he exclaimed excitedly, âThatâs settled then! Iâll come pick you up at 10am on Sunday. Where do you live?â
Veronica shared her home address and asked for Danielâs address. She realized that they were in completely opposite directions. So she suggested, âLetâs meet at the entrance of the mall. My home is conveniently located near a subway station that goes directly to the mall.â
âOkay, letâs meet at the entrance of the mall. Donât be a noâshow!â
said Daniel.
At that moment, someone nearby called out to Daniel to play ball. He said, âIâll go play ball first. See you on Sunday!â
âOkay, see you on Sunday,â Veronica replied.
Watching Danielâs back as he ran away, Veronicaâs lips curved into a smile. Sundayâ¦this was the first time she had a date with a boy other than Mason.
A date?
When these two words crossed Veronicaâs mind, she paused for a moment. Was sheâ¦on a date now?
On Sunday, Veronica woke up early and took some time to dress up, putting on her new dress.
When Mason saw Veronica at the dining table, he was slightly surprised. He felt that Veronica was different from before, but he couldnât quite put his finger on what was different.
Stepmother Rosalind Bush looked at Veronica and couldnât help but ask, âVeronica, are you going to accompany Mason to the Reed family today?â
Although Mason lived with the Barlow family, he still had a few fixed days each month to visit the Reed family. This was one of the conditions that Jason agreed to when he allowed his son to live with the Barlow family for a long time.
âNo, Iâm going shopping withâ¦um, a friend later,â Veronica said.
âShopping? Do you have enough money? If not, just tell me!â Rosalind played the role of a kind mother at the moment.
Over the years, she has been working hard to please and flatter Veronica. After all, the Barlow family now relies on Veronica to keep Mason hooked, which is why they are living the good life.
âNo need, I have enough money,â said Veronica calmly.
In recent years, due to the Reed familyâs influence, her relationship with her stepmother has somewhat improved.
However, she is aware of her stepmotherâs insincerity and superficial warmth, which is only due to the Reed familyâs influence.
Mason looked at Veronica and asked, âDo you want to go shopping with your friends?â
âMmm,â she said.
âWhich friend?â he asked insistently.
âHmm?â After a moment of confusion, she said, âItâs Pamela.
She called me a few days ago and said that itâs been a long time since weâve seen each other, and she wants to meet up and go shopping.â
Pamela was her classmate in junior high school and they had a good relationship. They used to hang out together on weekends.
Mason didnât say anything else.
Veronica couldnât help but silently criticize herself for lying just now.
Why did she lie to Mason? Maybe itâs because Mason and Daniel had a conflict last time, so she instinctively didnât say that she went shopping with Daniel this time.
âIâll take you there. Where will you meet Pamela?â said Mason after finishing breakfast.
âNo need, Iâll take the subway directly to the mall entrance, itâs very convenient. You can go back to your home first, I still need some time before leaving,â said Veronica.