Chapter 8: Misunderstanding
“Why? Did you hear we’re celebrating Eric’s birthday here tonight and couldn’t resist a ‘coincidental’ run-in?”
It was clear that love had been treating Kelly well lately. She looked more radiant than ever.
I was at a loss for words. I’d just felt stuffy in the private room and stepped out to use the restroom for some air, never expecting their event to be here too.
“You’re overthinking. I just happened to be passing by.”
I’d planned to leave after speaking, but as we brushed past each other, she suddenly blocked my way. The moment our bodies made contact, Kelly pretended to lose balance and fell forward, her gift box crashing to the floor.
Puzzled by her actions at first, I instantly understood when I saw the figure approaching. Eric rushed over, gently helping Kelly up with a worried expression.
At the sight of the girl sobbing over her shattered gift-a clearly carefully prepared one-the man spun around, glar- ing at me coldly. “What the hell is your problem?”
I was about to leave because it was boring when I bumped into a wall of muscle. Eric looked down at me, frowning tightly. “You pushed Kelly down and broke what was in her hand, and now you plan to walk away all cool?”
“She fell on her own, and she dropped it because she didn’t hold it steady. Am I supposed to apologize when I’m the one being framed?”
His gaze toward me was filled with total disappointment.
“Are you saying Kelly could have hurt herself after bumping into you? At least come up with a better story. It looks like I really spoiled you too much, Maddie.”
Looking at the cut on Kelly’s leg behind him and the quick flash of provocation in her eyes, I knew no explanation from me would help.
I sneered, “Anyway, it’s useless to say anything. If you really want to know if I’m lying, you can check the surveil- lance to see if I wronged her.”
At this, Kelly’s face changed a bit. She quickly stepped forward to take the man’s hand, whining, “Forget it, Eric. Ev- eryone is waiting for us.
“I know Maddie has never liked me. It’s all my fault for provoking her.”
But Eric just turned back and told her to take care of her cut first.
After Kelly gave me a really mean look and got led away, Eric came over to me. His eyes were full of emotions I
couldn’t read.
0.0 %
11:00
Chapter 8: Misunderstanding
“You don’t need to take your anger out on Kelly. This is between you and me, right?
288 iVouchers
“If this is a coincidence, it’s way too perfect-same time, same place, just like those ‘accidental’ run-ins you set up be- fore… Don’t tell me you regret what you said that night.”
Seeing me frown, his expression got a lot softer.
“Actually, this doesn’t have to be a dead end. Let’s meet in the middle. You apologize to Kelly in person right now, and I can let bygones be bygones. I’ll talk to Mom about the rest.”
I shook off his hand. “Talk?
“About what? What’s left to talk about between us? You better go comfort your sensitive fiancée before she can’t keep up the act without you.”
“Maddie! Do you have to be so harsh?”
As I turned to leave, I got yanked back hard. Eric grabbed my arm so tightly that tears filled my eyes right away.
In the middle of this, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind.
“She said it hurts. Didn’t you hear?”
Before I could figure out who it was, the pressure on my arm let up, and I got pulled behind someone. The guy in front of me was half a head taller than Eric.
With just one look, I recognized him as the male model I’d worked with today-Felix Ashton. At 190 cm, he stood in front of me like a mountain, and for some reason, I felt a wave of relief.
After I whispered my thanks, the guy’s emerald-green eyes crinkled with a smile as he glanced to the side.
It took me a second to get it. I looped my arm through his and said straight to Eric, “Sorry, but I think you got the wrong idea. I’m here with my boyfriend.”
Without looking back, I followed Felix away, not noticing the person behind us clenching their fists so tight their knuckles turned white.
After that shoot, I had a long dry spell.
