The Unveiled Rose

I spoke slowly and deliberately, "Think about what the dolls look like, and then imagine the person you want to talk to. If we were to custom-make a doll that looks like them, what would it be like?"

Willow pondered seriously. "And then?"

I smiled. "Once you have their doll image in your mind, won't you be able to talk to them normally?"

"That's right!" Willow exclaimed in excitement, clearly not expecting such a clever solution. "But..." Her eyes sparkled mischievously, as if she were thinking of something playful.

I quickly asked, "What is it?"

Willow giggled happily. "Doesn't that mean everyone in the world becomes a doll in my eyes?" Seeing her expectant expression, I played along. "Exactly! It's a doll world just for you."

Willow became even more excited.

Zane sat in the living room, quietly waiting for Annalise.

In the past, Annalise would come out every evening to chat with him for a while.

"She's putting Willow to bed and probably won't be coming out," Milton said, handing Zane a cup of warm water as he sat down beside him. "You have work tomorrow. You should get some rest tonight." Zane didn't say anything. He just sat there silently, lost in thought.

Dorothy, who hadn't interacted much with Zane, could sense that once he made up his mind, no one could change it. She said, "Anna has already promised Willow to spend the night with her, so she definitely won't sneak out to see you after Willow falls asleep. Unless..." Dorothy didn't finish her sentence.

Zane looked up. "Unless what?"

Dorothy spoke each word carefully, "Unless she's already fallen in love with you."

Zane knew that was unlikely.

Milton added, "There's an old saying that goes, 'Haste makes waste." You should give it some time."

"By the way..." Before advising him further, Dorothy needed to confirm something. "Annalise was married before. If you're truly determined to be with her, you're bound to face strong opposition from some people. "I need to ask you..."

Dorothy's tone was cautious. "Are you prepared to face all of that?"

Zane replied seriously, which was a rare tone for him, "Of course. I've even thought about how to handle things if they go in the worst possible direction. But nothing can diminish my determination to be with her. Hearing this, Milton felt assured. "Then, take it slow. One day, you'll win Annalise over."

With encouragement from the two elders, Zane finally felt a bit more confident. "I will."

...

In a private room at the bar, colorful spotlights flashed overhead. People enveloped in the lights were drinking noisily, laughter filling the air.

Watching them enjoy themselves, Steven suddenly asked, "Why did you lie to me?"

Gavin was startled, then turned to look at Steven. "Lie to you about what?"

Steven downed a large glass of alcohol. "The person I truly love is Annalise, but you all kept insisting that I love Jessica. Because of that, I only now realized... my true feelings for Annalise." Gavin initially wanted to come up with an excuse, but then, he saw that Steven was crying.

As if spurred by alcohol and having lost control, he wept messily. "Annalise truly doesn't want me anymore."