The young man’s eyes lit up as he spoke about his neighbor, a light so bright it could pierce through the darkest night,
It was as if she was the sun in his universe, illuminating his entire world.
waited so long to grow up, thinking everything would fall into place,” he said, his voice faltering. “But when I finally confessed my feelings, she turned me down. She said I’m twelve years younger than her, and if we were together, people would talk.”
His enthusiasm dimmed, his shoulders sagging as he continued, “But I don’t think age matters. Love can overcome anything, right?”
“I want to prove to her that things are different now. People are more open–minded. Relationships like ours aren’t as taboo as they used to be.”
“That’s why I’m here, going around and asking people for their opinions,” he explained, holding up the notebook.
“Sir, would you mind taking a few minutes to write down what you think about age–gap relationships? I want to show her that, even if some people gossip, there are so many others who would support us.”
Hearing this, Damien’s chest tightened painfully.
The boy’s passionate plea reminded him of Celeste–how she had gathered all her courage to confess her feelings to him not long ago.
“How old are you?”
Damien asked, his voice quiet.
“I’m twenty–one,” the young man answered, standing a little straighter.
“Twenty–one,” Damien murmured.
“So young. Do you even know what love is?”
12:21
His Wedding Day My Frozen Fate
Chapter 18
The young man frowned, clearly offended.
“Have you considered,” Damien pressed on, “that what you feel for your neighbor might not be love at all? Maybe you’re mistaking it for something else–an attachment born out of a need for motherly affection, something you lacked growing up.”
“You’re young, and sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference.”
The words spilled out of Damien’s mouth before he could stop himself.
They weren’t meant for the young man, not really.
They were the doubts he had harbored about Celeste’s feelings for him, doubts he had used
as a shield to reject her.
The young man’s face darkened.
“Just because I’m young doesn’t mean I’m stupid,” he said firmly. “You older folks really need to stop underestimating us. I know the difference between love and admiration, okay?”
“I’m a biology major at NYU–a top student, mind you,” he added, his tone sharp with indignation. “And I can tell you, love isn’t some mysterious force only old people understand. If anything, young people like me experience it more intensely.”
“Our bodies produce more hormones, which means our love is hotter, wilder, and more
unrestrained. That doesn’t make it any less real.”
His conviction left Damien speechless.
All this time, he had convinced himself that young people couldn’t possibly understand
love.
They were too naive, too impulsive. But now, he realized how wrong he had been.
The boy’s words echoed in his mind: “Our love is pure.”
In that moment, Damien saw the truth. Celeste’s love for him had been pure, untainted by
fear or doubt.
And he had crushed it under the weight of his own insecurities.
12:21 O
73.8%
His Wedding Day, My Frozen Fate
Chapter 12
He swallowed hard. “I’m sorry,” he said softly,
“I shouldn’t have doubted your feelings. Your neighbor is lucky to have someone like you
The young man blushed and shook his head,
“No, I’m the lucky one,” he replied quietly,
