I Married My Childhood Friend Instead

Everyone turned to look at Grayson, and so did I. I stared at the man who had been by my side for four years.

When I started working in his company, I was diligent and even worked late nights just to complete projects. I was never absent when I was needed to entertain clients or attend networking events.

One could say that I played a major role in the success of Grayson's company. He was the person who knew best how hard I worked.

However, he chose to look away and avoid my eyes. It took him a long time before he finally said, "She doesn't fool around, and she does have a boyfriend of four years. That guy isn't some penniless loser…"

Monica shook his arm anxiously when she heard his answer. "Why do you know so much about her, Honey?"

"It's because her boyfriend is…" I held my breath as I waited hopefully for his answer, but Grayson continued to avoid my eyes and looked into Monica's eyes instead. "It's because her boyfriend is my friend, Edwin."

I wanted to say something, but nothing came out of my mouth. It had been four years, and Grayson still chose to avoid this topic because he thought I was not good enough for him. It suddenly made me feel like this was all a joke, including myself.

"He's right. It's Edwin." Since Grayson had put it that way, I decided to go along with him and become Edwin's real girlfriend. "We've been together for four years, and we're about to get married soon."

Several commercial partners who knew my family well were surprised. "Your boyfriend is Edwin? I knew it. Edwin and Ella grew up together. There's no way Ella would ever fall for someone else when Edwin is such an outstanding young man."

"I remember Edwin used to have a crush on Ella, but no one has seen him since he left the country four years ago. I didn't realize you're already together."

No one seemed surprised by it. Grayson was the only one who was taken aback when he heard their words. "What are you saying? They grew up together?"

The man who made the statement jumped in shock when Grayson grabbed him to question in disbelief.

"That's right. What's wrong? It's not a secret. Why are you reacting like this?"

Grayson quickly released the man and looked away in embarrassment. "N-Nothing."

He was quite upset with those words and wanted to ask me about it but did not have the chance.

Edwin Monaco's family was highly regarded in the business circle, and Edwin himself was known as a genius entrepreneur for achieving such great success at a young age. Grayson had blurted the name of a random entrepreneur who was well-known in the business circle without realizing that I might know him, and even grew up with him.

When Monica heard Edwin's name, a hateful look flashed in her eyes, but there was nothing she could do about it. "Why didn't you tell me that you're with Edwin now, Ella? No matter what, we grew up together."

I continued with the lie, "That's because he left the country right after we got together. We've been busy all this time, and never got the chance to tell anyone else about it."

Everyone got curious and came asking more about my relationship with Edwin. I smiled and answered every one of their questions.

As for Grayson, all he did was continue to stare at me. His teeth almost broke from clenching them too hard when he heard me tell all the funny stories that happened with Edwin.

"What nonsense is this, Ella? No couple would live in different countries right after they start dating. You need to make up a better lie than that."

I was about to retort when an exclamation was heard from the doors of the event hall. The crowd moved aside to reveal Edwin's tall figure coming toward us. "Sorry, everyone. I'm late because my flight was delayed."

The man whom everyone had been talking about walked up slowly to me. "It's been a long time, everyone, and that includes you, Ella. Did you miss me?"