However, the young group leader just smiled dotingly at me as he ruffled my hair. "You can think all you want," he said. "Besides I love Kelly the most."
That promise bound me to him for years, like an unbreakable thread.
On my nineteenth birthday, George gave me a gold ring. It was a family heirloom, that he inherited from his late mother. It was very important for him. He told me, "I want to give this ring to you. You're the most important person in my life."
I was so moved by his statement and gave him my late mother's protective talisman. After we changed our "Token of love", we snuggled up and got intimated.
One rainy night, I mustered the courage to confess my feelings and told him my love for him over the years.
I never expected he would be disgusted by my confession. "Are you crazy, Kelly?" he admonished. "I've always seen you as my little sister!"
I still remember the disgust in his eyes as he said those words.
The clock in the study struck another hour before I finally spoke again. In a soft voice, "Uncle Rick, can you hide this matter from him first? Please, do this for me."
General Palmer gave me a long, searching look but held back whatever he wanted to say. Finally, he relented. “Stay for the New Year before you leave.”
As I stepped out of the study, I ran straight into George and Amanda Cain.
Amanda, my future sister-in-law and George's wife, was clinging to his arm while chattering away., "That performance of Silk Road Rain was amazing! When I go back to my dance troupe, I’ll stage something just like it.”
George gazed at her with tenderness. “With your grace, you’d be perfect for it.”
Amanda was so flattered that she blushed and lowered her head. As so happened, her eyes met mine. "Kelly," she greeted warmly. "Come here and take a look at the dress your brother brought me. Doesn't it look great?"
“To my knowledge, this dress is made from the finest fabric from Prague and the most fashionable dress out here,” Amanda announced. “Isn’t it the perfect style for a wedding?”
Her tone dripped with pride as she searched my face for a reaction.
I just answered her calmly, indifferently. "It's lovely and it suits you well."
My lack of emotion made George a bit unsettled. "Kelly!" he said sharply. "What were you talking to my father? My mind is fixed. I'll marry Amanda. All the paperwork has been done. If you went to him to plead, it's useless."