Be Your Lover Forever (Alicia)

"Relax! It's not what you think. I like his artistic style more than him himself! Though he's alright, I still prefer a local! Hehe..."

But the artistic or manly type, Caroline still wasn't sure yet. After all, the former lacked a little masculinity while the latter had risks of abuse. Each had its pros and cons if considered seriously, wasn't it?

"But don't you think this type of guy is mysteriously charming? They can already take over the world with just their charm and smile! Their lives must be fascinating! Don't you think they look like medieval assassins who make a name for themselves in the world through their kills? Oh... it is a little cruel, but their bravery and intimidation sure are captivating! If only I could come up with a piece that illustrates their love, hate, and true nature...

Caroline shook her head, believing she still hadn't made up her mind yet. Anyhow, her future husband had to at least be on par with her older brother, capable and a loving husband.

Caroline's words deeply struck a spot at the bottom of Victoria's heart, but she said nothing to refute them despite wanting to speak.

Medieval assassins?

Hadn't she also been infatuated with these just, virtuous men in the past? But women who truly fall in love with these men might not get the happily ever after they wished for as to them, justice and conscience were probably more important than living, breathing women!

Hence, Anthony sacrificed her virtue then!

But that was her first time! A significant change in her life as a woman!

She genuinely wished the man she fell in love with was selfish and even a little bad. That way, she maybe didn't have to bear these pains at the bottom of her heart.

In that regard, Trevor seemed to be the type Caroline was talking about. He looked gentlemanly on the outside, but she believed the land beneath his feet was a gray area she couldn't see!

He, Trevor Clements, was definitely not a simple good guy!

However, discarding all the causes and consequences, her marriage was filled with more happiness than sadness. Even if she had met with all sorts of disasters and pains she never had before marrying Trevor, she still thought this husband deserved a narrow A-!

She could consider herself lucky when he accepted her deformity and still stuck by her. She'd thought it was the norm, typical human nature back then. But after experiencing so much in the past couple of years, in addition to seeing a lot of marital and family changes around her, she would no longer think so naively anymore.

Hallie's husband, for instance, was clearly a gay man, but he still hypocritically got himself a wife to cover up, then physically and verbally abused her in addition to infecting her with STD. It wouldn't be hard to imagine what kind of heart-rending life she was living behind her glorious marriage to a fellow rich. And then there was Ally's colleague, whose husband was in a relationship with Hallie's husband. She hadn't only been living a widowed marriage; they even had a child together. Though they divorced in the end, she still experienced the pains a marriage could bring.

Which of these women, who had been lied to and hurt, didn't have a miserable marriage? Which of these decent-looking men hadn't disgustingly ruined a few years of a woman's life and even the rest of it? If she really had to compare, Trevor, who didn't have too good of a reputation, was instead way better than these men!

If she really had to choose between a medieval assassin and a man threading the gray area, she might actually choose the latter!

Victoria thought she saw her past self, who had dreams of love before this marriage when she looked at Caroline. But deep down, she didn't want to see her going down the same route she was once on.

People who had never been on this journey had no right to comment on how difficult it was to leave. If she hadn't stayed strong, if she had let her emotions get the best of her, the woman named Victoria Atlas would probably already be no more!

With that in mind, she reflexively rained on her parade.

"But don't you think Angel Cutie has very problematic moral compasses? Though the male and female lead crossed paths s during their childhood, considerably childhood I sweethearts, the male lead had already married after he was of age. I've only read the synopsis and parts of it, but I know their love began in the hospital afte I after the male lead's wife underwent a mastectomy! The two may uphold sweet love, but let's not forget it stepped on a woman's body, marriage, and six years of dedication! If anything, I think his wife is the saddest character. She sacrificed years of her life for a man and bore the pain of deformity because of her sickness while still thinking of staying alive so she could be with her husband until the end of their lives. All of that and all she got in exchange was, 'Don't stifle his love; I don't need to have him even though I love him. I'm happy just to see that he is!' Like, what the heck? What's the point of upholding such love? Is the true essence of love sacrificing oneself to become another's stepping stone?" With that, Victoria mumbled in her heart after taking a sip of coffee.

Her love would never be like this! She would never care about a man's reputation and life when she couldn't have him. So what if he remembered her his whole life? Was it more practical than a million dollars?

"Though I've only read the synopsis and this part of the story, every time I remember how he gave his wife the silent treatment because of some other woman, I find him absolutely shameless! So as capable and kind-hearted that male lead was, as angelic that Angel Cutie was, she still pestered the man she loved, although already knowing he had married. No matter how in love they were, she was still a homewrecker! I guess the artist is smart to whitewash the male and female leads with the wife's death! But if this happened in real life, a petty wife would be beyond livid even if she was successfully cured of her cancer!" Caroline nodded non-stop as she listened to Victoria, even making notes toward the end.

"Wow, Victoria, I wouldn't have thought a fictional comic could inspire people like that! No wonder I hated it and felt a lump in my throat when I read that part! I even cried when Angel Cutie came to see her off in a typical couples' outfit, and later that wife put her hand and her husband's hand together! I thought that wife sure had a big heart!"

She had always thought that part was very touching, but it never occurred to her that she cried because she felt bad for that wife and not because she was moved. Suddenly, Caroline was struck with great inspiration, even realizing what her comics lacked. Life!

Her comics were too empty. They lacked the essence of everyday life; they lacked things that could trigger resonance. Even an insignificant minor role was still important!

After their wonderful lunch, they returned to the convention hall to continue shopping.

Ichi Miyamoto's book signing was at three, and the two ladies lined up a long time before Caroline finally got the latest colored collector's album, so close to jumping in joy.

"I got it! I got it! Only 99 of them in the world! I can't believe we got it. We can ask for autographs! We're so lucky today. Number nine and six; what cute numbers!"

"Victoria, you sure are my lucky star!"

With that, Caroline hugged Victoria and gave her kisses, thinking the ten thousand dollars she spent was well worth it when she could get up close to her idol and also get his autograph and a complimentary complete DVD set.

However, Victoria only thought a

wad of cash had been thrown into

the furnace when she looked at her little sister-in-law. But hey, money can't exactly buy happiness. She understood how Caroline felt, so she was also naturally happy for her.

After lining up for a while, they remembered they still had a lot of things they paid a deposit for but hadn't claimed and paid the remaining amount. So they couldn't help feeling worried.

"Why don't I get them for you? You wait in line; give me the receipt..."

Victoria reached her hand out, but Caroline still stopped her, grabbing her arm. "Don't. There are tons of people here; what if I can't find you later?"

She was still a little scared to be alone!

"I got it! Well leave the books here and collect the rest of our stuff. We can come back for it. I saw a few people putting them aside with a memo on them. But that way, I won't be able to get up close to him!" But while she was mumbling, she had already pulled a pen out.

"Forget it. There's an appreciation panel at night. Anyone who bought the book can attend and eat the catering inside! We can get a picture with him then!"

Judging by the current situation, she probably didn't have a chance to speak with him anyway.

After writing a name down and putting it in the corner of one of the books, Caroline left it on the waiting table aside. Quite a few others had left their books there, too; plus, there was an attendant there, so she felt at ease.

swon &

Following that, the two went back to shopping. For this event, the two had deliberately emptied a small suitcase out to store their hauls.

Later the two returned joyously to

the waiting table with loads of merchandise only to be rendered gobsmacked. One of the two books that had been stacked on top of each other was gone; only book number six was left, and Caroline instantly turned grim.

"What happened? Which f*cking sc*mbag took my collector's album?!"

no one could be certain what had happened. All the books that remained on the table were arranged neatly according to sequence, but for some reason, book number nine was missing!

As the books were custom-made according to number, nearly all of them were personalized. Caroline was

livid with rage, seeing the thing she spent so much time and effort to obtain gone, even after looking under the table.

"Which fiend is this? I can't believe he only took mine away!"

F*cking hell; did he want to give her a hard time so badly?

"C'mon, it's okay. We still have another one, don't we? Chill out!" While speaking, Victoria handed her the remaining book.

However, Caroline didn't take it, still enraged.

"It's not the same! I've promised to get you a gift! Who'd thought we'd get lucky and get two books. I've already said it's yours; how can I take it back? Besides, they've engraved your name on it!"

How exasperating. It was initially a perfect number pairing; two numbers flipped to be one or the other! With that, Victoria took it back.

"No, there's nothing on my memo! Is the name written in Jopenzo? How about this; you hold onto it first. It'll all be fine when we manage to get it back, no?"