Chapter 195

Anna Ross froze for a moment.

This face was both familiar and strange.

The neighbor brother from the depths of her memory, the one who always secretly slipped her candies, had now reappeared before her in this manner.

The teardrop mole at the corner of his eye was still striking.

Julian Garnache waved his hand gently in front of her eyes.

A playful curve lifted the corner of his lips.

"Little Anna, have you forgotten your brother so soon?"

The tips of Anna's ears grew warm.

She shook her head in a flustered denial.

"It's just... very unexpected."

She sat down on the sofa beside him.

Her gaze still held a trace of disbelief.

Julian signaled a waiter over.

He thoughtfully ordered a glass of juice for her.

The glass refracted the dazzling bar lights.

Anna softly thanked him.

He had always been this considerate.

"I didn't expect to run into you in New York either," Julian said, raising his glass in a toast.

Their glasses met with a clear, crisp sound.

Anna pressed her lips together in a light smile.

Fate's arrangements were always full of surprises.

If not for Adrian Sinclair, she would never have set foot in this city.

"I heard you were doing very well abroad. Why did you suddenly return home?"

The music from the dance floor surged and receded loudly.

Occasional glances were cast toward the striking pair.

Julian set his glass down.

His fingertips tapped lightly on the table.

"Home just suits me better."

He glanced at her sideways.

"But you—why are you performing at a bar?"

Anna was taken aback.

"How did you know I work here?"

This was something no one should have known.

Julian suddenly laughed.

He reached out and ruffled her hair.

"You're quite the celebrity in New York's bar scene now."

Anna instinctively turned her head away.

He didn't seem to mind.

"You little ingrate. You used to chase after me calling me 'big brother' all the time."

Anna couldn't help retorting.

"That was all a long time ago."

She lowered her gaze to the ripples in her glass.

"I never thought my childhood dream would come true in this way."

A hint of self-mockery tinged her voice.

Julian's expression turned serious.

"I think it's wonderful."

He made an exaggerated cheering gesture.

It made her laugh aloud.

The atmosphere finally relaxed.

Julian suddenly leaned in closer.

"Would you consider coming to my place?"

Anna looked up, confused.

"What?"

"I opened a bar here in New York." A charming curve lifted the corner of his lips. "I'd like to invite you to perform there."