He Turned Me Down 99 Times

Synopsis

The ninety-ninth time I confessed to Ramon Daley, he rejected me, as I had expected. This time, I didn't cry or make a scene. I turned around and booked a ticket to Glenphis City. It was a spontaneous trip, and by Thurston Lake, I ran into an old classmate, Jacob Stratton. He teased, "Why are you traveling here alone? Where's Ramon?" I gave a bitter smile. "I once swore I'd never confess to someone more than a hundred times." Jacob opened his mouth as if to say something, then pointed behind me instead. I turned around. Across the road stood Ramon, my cousin beside him. He walked toward me, his expression dark, as if he had misunderstood my relationship with Jacob. "Ivy, are you really that desperate for a man?" he said coldly. I smiled faintly, helpless. "Ramon," I asked softly, "do you remember how many times I confessed to you?"