Almost Too Late To Say I Love You

Seven years ago, I found a little homeless boy.

I nurtured him carefully, and seven years later, he became famous all over the country.

He wrote a love song for me, and countless fans cried after listening to it.

After I rejected his proposal for the eighth time, he started dating other girls and various scandals broke.

As long as he was happy. After all, I didn't have much time left.

...

"Melody, look, Hayes has gone crazy again. Yesterday, he was with the rising star Eloise Perez, and today he's with the national sweetheart Cora Smith."

My assistant Lilith rushed into my office and anxiously showed me the scandal photos of Hayes Lewis with other female stars.

I tiredly rubbed my temples and nodded. "Got it."

"Melody, what's wrong? You don't look well. You've been wearing heavy makeup lately."

Looking at the worried look on Lilith's face, I forced a smile and said, "I have been suffering from severe insomnia for the past two months, so I am not at my best. It's nothing serious."

As soon as Lilith left, I broke out in a cold sweat.

It hurt. It really did.

Hayes, you're a jerk.

I also want to be with you forever, but I don't have that chance anymore.

Why can't you let me have some peace of mind when my life is almost at its end?

Over an hour later, I stood up weakly and Hayes barged into my office.

He grabbed my hand and stared at me fiercely. "Are you resigning?"

"Yes, I'm tired and want to quit," I said calmly.

"Are you leaving?" Hayes looked flustered.

"Hayes, I have already done what I promised you. I cannot be with you for a lifetime."

Hayes said coldly, "Why?"

He paused, as if he had figured it out, and became at a loss for what to do.

It was very rare. He made me feel like I vaguely saw the stubborn little boy from seven years ago.

"Are you angry? I..."

I pushed Hayes' chest and glanced at him calmly. "I'm not angry. As long as you're happy."

"Even if I really want to be with Cora, you won't be angry?" Hayes gritted his teeth.

"No." I picked up my bag and left.

Hayes froze, and I didn't dare to look back.

I felt a sudden warmth on my back. Hayes hugged me from behind.

He said in an injured tone, "Melody, don't abandon me. You promised to always be with me."

"I'm sorry. I'm going back on my word." I looked up, trying hard to hold back my tears, but to no avail.

Hayes slowly let go of me. "Melody, you're so cruel."

I left the office.

Afterward, it only took me a week to hand over the job to Lilith and she would be Hayes' new agent.

Lilith had been working under me for three years and knew Hayes' temperament quite well. After I left, she was the most suitable candidate to take over.

After that, I packed up and flew to France.

After arriving in France, I sent a text message to Hayes.

I told him that I was ready to retire early and travel the world with my childhood sweetheart. When we got tired, we would come back to get married.

I could imagine how furious and crazy Hayes would be when he received the message. He must hate my guts.

But I wanted him to hate me.

I arrived in France, a romantic country. Hayes once said he would take me to Provence to see lavender and propose to me on that dreamy purple lavender ranch.

However, after he became popular, he became busier day by day, and his schedule was always full.

We often rushed to catch planes and traveled around various cities, but we never had time to stop and have some fun.

I knew I would never wait for that dreamlike proposal and ring, but I still wanted to see Provence with my own eyes.

On the day I arrived in Provence, I was in a very good mood. Even though I was alone, I took a lot of photos.

Hayes called me many times, but I didn't answer. He sent countless text messages and WhatsApp messages, but I didn't reply to any of them.

Instead, my childhood friend Eric Taylor called me after receiving the express delivery I sent.

"Melody, do you really want to wait for death all alone? Where are you? Please tell me and let me stay by your side, okay?" Eric said in a voice choked with tears.

Eric was not only my childhood friend but also my attending physician.

He advised me to undergo chemotherapy, but I didn't want to. Anyway, I was going to die. I didn't want to die looking so ugly without hair.

"Don't worry. I'm fine now. I'm taking my medicine on time," I said weakly.

"Where are you? Melody Miller, where are you? Don't be so cruel to yourself, okay?" Eric pleaded in a low voice.

He waited for me for seven years.

I told him early on that I didn't have feelings for him, but he never stopped thinking about me.

Until three years ago, I told Eric clearly that I only loved Hayes. Eric finally gave up and treated me like his younger sister.

"I'm staying where I agreed to meet Hayes. If he gets married in two years, then you can tell him about me. No, he is very loyal. Just wait a few more years. I'm afraid he can't handle it."

As I said that, tears streamed down my face.

Eric sobbed, "If he can't handle it, do you think I can?"

I looked at the lavender and said, "I'm sorry. I'll let you know when I can't make it."

The phone slipped from my hand. It hurt. It really hurt.

Eric said it would hurt, but I didn't expect it to hurt so much. It hurt like hell.

The intense pain that penetrated deep into my bones couldn't be stopped even by medication. In a daze, I remembered what had happened seven years ago.

That year, I was twentyfive years old.

I entered the industry when I was twenty, and by the time I was twentyfive, I had become a topnotch agent in the entertainment industry.

In just five years, I made two celebrities famous all over the country.

One night, I was so drunk and tired from socializing that I stumbled into an alley with high heels in my hand.

As I passed by a trash can, I saw a young boy squatting next to it, gnawing on a dirty doughnut.

I only glanced at him and paused involuntarily.

As a skilled agent, I thought this young boy was truly amazing even though he was covered in dirt.

"What's your name? Why are you here?" I drunkenly pressed him against the wall and bombarded him with questions.

"Hayes Lewis. My parents died, and my relatives didn't want me. So I ran away from home." A hint of grievance but also pride flashed in his eyes.

His words immediately struck a chord with me.

I was an orphan and grew up in an orphanage with Eric.

When I was twelve, I was adopted by foster parents. After a few good years, my foster parents passed away in an accident, and I was alone again.

I struggled to grow up on my own and met some great people. I entered the industry at a young age and worked harder than others. Finally, I made a name for myself at the age of twentyfive.

Eric had better luck than me. He was adopted by a healthy and wealthy couple and received a good education and resources, unlike me, who could only rely on myself.

"No one wants you, but I do! Come with me, and in a few years, I will make you famous all over the country," I said drunkenly, slapping my chest.

The young boy's eyes sparkled at this, and he followed me home.

After I sobered up, I realized that Hayes was only fifteen years old and still in school.

Hayes was very obedient. He could do everything and was willing to learn. I was bad at caring for myself, and he was the opposite of me.

As long as he was around, my house was always spotless.

I had a weak stomach due to bad habits for many years, but with Hayes around, I could occasionally eat three meals a day.

I took Hayes to visit some celebrities and paid a teacher to teach him to dance. Hayes was very hardworking and really talented.

No matter how difficult the dance moves were, he could imitate them after watching them twice, and he could even dance better than the teacher.

Even the teacher praised Hayes' singing, saying that he was suited for this line of work and praised my good judgment.

I started training Hayes to pave the way for him alone.

The entertainment industry was like a melting pot and every step was difficult. I just wanted to use what I had to make things easier for Hayes.

When Hayes finished his studies at the age of eighteen, he bid farewell to the celebrities and teachers I had found for him.

They all said there was nothing more they could teach Hayes. I knew that Hayes now only needed an opportunity.

Afterward, whenever he had free time, Hayes would write lyrics and compose songs, striving for allround development.

Hayes was very clingy to me.

He kept pestering me to taste the dishes he cooked and evaluate each dish.

Hayes also liked to take me shopping. When he saw a nice dress in the shop window, he insisted that I try it on for him. If it looked good, he would buy it.

Whenever I said he still needed me to support him, he would let me deduct it from his future earnings and insist on buying it.

He was very childish.

Sometimes Hayes threw a tantrum and got angry with me.

When I raked around in his school bag and saw love letters from other girls, I read them out loud in front of him and jokingly asked him whether he liked the girls. He would get angry and not talk to me for an hour.

When Eric had free time, he would invite me to have a meal together and Hayes would follow along reluctantly. The injured look on Hayes' face was hilarious.

I didn't pay attention to my health and always had cold drinks and spicy food. Every time my period came, I suffered from severe pain. At such times, Hayes became very domineering.

He took away my cold drink and didn't even let me eat anything spicy. When I got my period, he applied heat to my stomach and prepared some ginger tea for me.

With Hayes around, I was no longer just busy. Occasionally, he gave me little surprises and I felt warm.

After the SAT, Hayes followed me to the company. With my strong recommendation, the company promised to spare no effort to support him as long as he could win the championship in a singing competition.

But if he failed, I had to accept the company's arrangement and train another newcomer.

That would take away my energy and attention, as well as the resources in my hands. Naturally, I was unwilling to do that.

But to make sure Hayes would get a chance, I could only agree.

Hayes clenched his fists tightly and said unwillingly, "I don't want you to train someone else."

"Then you have to perform well and definitely win the championship," I smiled and touched his head on tiptoe.

Hayes looked awkward. "I've grown up. Don't treat me like a little boy."

"Who said you're not a little boy? I'm ten years older than you. In my eyes, you are a little brat!" I teased him.

"Melody, do you think I can win the championship?" Hayes said, watching TV.

On the TV, the previous contestant was singing a love song.

"If you can't win, who can? Don't you trust my judgment?" I glanced at him impatiently.

"Yes, I do. Please don't act like I'm a baby." Hayes frowned.

I knew Hayes didn't like it when I treated him as a younger brother. When I took him in, I could still trick him and act like I was his older sister, but now it was basically impossible.

In the first round, Hayes performed stunningly, and all four teachers turned around for him.

I watched him perform on stage for the first time backstage, my palms sweating.

I was more nervous than when I first trained a newcomer. I put all my efforts into Hayes.

I used to joke with him, saying, "You have to do well. Maybe in the future, I'll rely on you to support me in my old age."

Hayes nodded earnestly and promised me. "I will definitely earn a lot of money and buy whatever you want."

After choosing his favorite singer as the program teacher, Hayes came off stage and hugged me tightly.

After the initial victory, Hayes knew what it was like to stand in the center of the stage and attract everyone's attention.

"Melody, if I win the championship, can you promise me something?" Hayes looked at me and asked cautiously.

I said readily, "Sure, I promise you anything you want."

His eyes lit up and he said, "You said it yourself."

I immediately sensed something was wrong and regretted it. I bit my tongue and it hurt so much that tears welled up in my eyes.

Hayes nervously approached to check on me.

I just realized that the boy who used to be about the same height as me was now half a head taller than me.

He was a man now.

As I looked at him in front of me, my heart started beating faster and faster.

Thinking about Hayes' excellence, I felt very satisfied that my efforts paid off.

Half a month later, the competition reached its most exciting stage.

Hayes and a female contestant were neck and neck, and the competition was very intense.

Only the final match could determine the winner, and whether Hayes would be the champion or the runnerup was unknown.

In the final, despite my dissuasion, Hayes insisted on singing his original song.

Surprisingly, his insistence moved the teachers and audience present. In the end, Hayes won the championship.

On the night he won the award, he pressed me against the door.

The little boy grew up into a man. He was squinting at me, seemingly thinking about how to kiss me.

"What are you doing?" I couldn't help but laugh.

Hayes was a little annoyed. "You forgot something. We agreed that you would reward me if I won the championship."

"All right." I had no way to refuse him. "Tell me, what do you want?"

"A girlfriend." Hayes lowered his head, his face slightly red.

"You're only eighteen, and you already want a girlfriend?" I was a little surprised.

"Tomorrow I'll be nineteen!" Hayes said seriously.

I counted the day and it was true.

Time flew so fast. I didn't expect that I would be twentynine so soon.

"Your career has just begun. Are you sure you want to distract yourself with a girlfriend?" I looked unhappy.

After careful consideration, Hayes said, "Then I don't want a girlfriend for now. Reward me with something else then."

"What do you want now?"

"Melody, promise me you will always be by my side no matter whether I become famous or not," Hayes said as if making a wish.

At that time, I really didn't realize how ignorant I was.

I boasted that I could always be by his side. It was as if I could definitely fulfill my promise.

"Of course, where else would I go if I'm not by your side?" I laughed.

"Even if I don't become famous, you can't abandon me," Hayes added.

"Don't worry. You will definitely become famous," I assured him.

Hayes hugged me for a long time before reluctantly letting go.

Two days later, I took Hayes to the company to sign the contract officially. I became his only agent.

Hayes started his busy college life while making a name for himself in the music industry under my arrangement.

I pulled some strings and drank and socialized with wealthy sponsors every day, which brought Hayes many endorsements.

Of course, it was all done secretly.

If Hayes found out, he would be very angry.

Hayes' path to stardom was very smooth. He became famous in less than three years.

By his 21st birthday, he already had tens of millions of fans.

He was busy and grew up rapidly. He was 5'7'' when he was 18 or 19 years old, but now he was 6 feet tall.

Every time Hayes participated in activities or held concerts, I followed behind him, watching him being surrounded by a group of fans. I listened to the fans screaming for him and felt very proud of him.

Even if I drank until I vomited, so what?

Even if I let the sponsors touch me a few times, I didn't lose anything.

On his birthday, Hayes sang a song for me, and that song was written for me.

He put all his heart and feelings into the song.

After I finished listening, I ran away in a panic.

I had a crush on Hayes, but I never thought he would like me.

Hayes grabbed me and pressed me down on the sofa.

"Melody, I'm famous now. Can I have a girlfriend?"

Hayes drank a little, but he didn't get drunk.

His eyes were still bright.

"What is your type? I'll find a girl for you," I stuttered.

Hayes' eyes turned red. "Melody, don't act dumb. You clearly know that the girl I like is you!"

I remained silent for a long time and whispered, "You're still young and don't understand what love is. You're just dependent on me, just like my younger brother."

Hayes suddenly leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. My words stuck in my throat.

His kiss was fiery and fierce, making me dizzy.

I couldn't imagine that the dream lover of tens of millions of fans was now holding me and kissing me.

What was even harder for me to accept was that I always felt like he was no different from my own younger brother.

I kept pushing him away, but he didn't stop kissing me.

He held me tightly and growled, "Melody, stop treating me like a child. I can distinguish between love and familial affection."

"Seeing you walking on the road, laughing and talking with Eric, I'm insanely jealous."

"Seeing those despicable sponsors leering at you, I wish I could beat them half to death."

"You say I treat you like a sister? No, no brother would think about his sister day and night. I dream of kissing you!"

"Melody, I have become famous. I can give you the life you want. You don't have to work so hard anymore. Can we be together?"

I pushed his chest and said, "Hayes, calm down. Your career is taking off. Don't be silly."

"There is no such thing as a secret. If fans find any clues, it will greatly affect your career."

"I don't care. I work so hard every day just to become famous earlier, to deserve you, and to be with you," Hayes said stubbornly.

"Me? What do I have that's good? I'm ten years older than you. I could be your aunt. There are so many young girls out there. Why do you have to like me?"

I admitted that I was afraid. I didn't believe that Hayes would really love me forever.

He was so young and dazzling.

His future was bright and he would meet many young and beautiful girls, while I was already thirtyone.

"It's not that you don't like me. You just don't believe that I would like you, right?" Hayes keenly found the loophole in my words.

I devoted all my efforts and time to his career during the years we spent together.

Hayes was so good and excellent. How could I not love him?

Sometimes I thought if I hadn't taken him into the entertainment industry in the beginning, then Hayes could have had a girlfriend like every man did, without being afraid of his fans finding out.

But that would be too much of a waste of Hayes' talent.

"Age is not a problem, and I will prove it to you. I love you, not for your appearance. I love you for who you are."

Hayes put his head on my chest and closed his eyes, listening to my heartbeat.

I could sense that he had an erection. He was embarrassed and let go of me, looking like a loyal large dog.

I felt extremely sorry for him and took a step back.

"Before your career is stable, we can only be secret lovers if you think this is possible."