Chapter 3

Andrew pulled down the mirror, checking his handsome face with a dramatic sigh. "Stella, next time, get a softer bag! Those alloy edges almost took my eye out!"

"This blind date was seriously tough!" Andrew grumbled nonstop. "I totally gave up on trying, and she didn't even notice!"

His phone, tossed onto the center console, suddenly vibrated.

Andrew picked it up, looking like he'd seen a ghost. He turned the screen toward me, showing me the messages.

Jenny said: [Don't panic. Just make sure the baby's okay for now.]

Jenny said: [Let her know it's okay to have the baby. I'll be a great stepmom.]

Andrew said: [Is she out of her mind?]

I pulled out the fake belly with a weak sigh, barely managing a reply. "Maybe she really does like you?"

Andrew scoffed. "Like me? More like she's after my family's fortune. What else would she want from me?"

He grabbed the fake belly and started acting out dramatically. "Poor kid, in the end, your mom still decided to kick you out!"

I snatched it back. "Cut it out. There's no one here to watch your act!"

Just as I finished speaking, Jorden showed up in the parking lot with his girlfriend on his arm.

Andrew's eyes went wide. "Hey, isn't that your ex?"

I swung my bag at him again. "Just drive! Do you want us to embarrass ourselves even more?"

Andrew grumbled as he started the car. "I'm the one footing the bill here! Is this how you treat your sponsor?"

As we drove past, Jorden pulled his girl in close without even thinking.

I looked away as Andrew started complaining he was still hungry and wanted to find somewhere with some spicy food to warm up.

He just wouldn't shut up the whole ride.

"Looks like your ex is living the good life now. The girl with him is the daughter of Luminex Tech's boss..."

Andrew's nonstop talking was starting to get on my nerves, but then he suddenly switched topics.

"Stella, do you ever regret dumping him?" he asked.

Right then, my phone buzzed, and Jorden's name popped up on the screen.

I silenced it and turned it face down. "Nope, not a bit."

Andrew found a spot to park near the night market, and we headed out to hunt for something to eat.

We picked a restaurant, ordered our food, and Andrew couldn't wait to get the party started with a dozen beers.

After downing three bottles, he finally finished venting all his frustrations.

He complained about his sister being a total workaholic, and somehow she always dragged him into overtime with her.

Even though there were only five workdays, Andrew was basically working almost seven days a week.

And on that one day off, he still had to deal with all the blind dates his sister set up for him.

Even a rich kid like Andrew couldn't escape the grind. After a while, he started to smell like the office, too.

After we finished eating, I grabbed the check.

I was usually super stingy, but when it comes to Andrew, I always try to milk him for all he's worth.

Andrew looked genuinely shocked. "Did I get served fake booze tonight or something? You actually picked up the tab?"

I held out my hand, annoyed. "I treat you to dinner, and you still gotta roast me? Pay me back! 80 dollars!"

"No way I'm paying up. I already ate it. If you want it back, I guess I could just puke it up for you," Andrew shot back.

"Seriously, Andrew, that's disgusting!" I shot back, rolling my eyes.

Andrew called for a designated driver and made sure I got dropped off first.

With the heater cranked up and the alcohol kicking in, I started to feel all warm and drowsy.

Andrew leaned back, eyes shut, radiating that 'don't mess with me' vibe when he wasn't talking.

My place was just around the corner, so we got there in no time.

I put my hand on the door handle, about to say goodbye, when Andrew suddenly grabbed my wrist.

"Stella," he said, his voice a little slurred from the booze. "Did you really mean it when you said on the phone you were leaving? Was that for real?"

I tried to pull my hand away, but he wouldn't let go. "Yeah, I'm serious. My bags are already packed."

"Why?" Andrew opened his eyes and stared at me, his gaze surprisingly clear.

"No reason. I just feel like leaving, so I'm leaving," I replied.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"Why do you care? Planning to tag along and be a street bum with me or something?" I shot back.

Andrew laughed, finally letting go of my wrist and slipping back into his usual playful self. "Yeah, how'd you guess? So, when are you heading out?"

"Probably tomorrow or the day after," I said, pushing the car door open. "Goodbye."

The wind hit me and I started shivering.

Andrew hopped out and threw his jacket over my shoulders.

"We've played my girlfriend and my admirer so many times, we're basically comrades at this point, right?" he joked.

He opened his arms wide. "Stella, come here, give me a hug!"

I gave him a look of total disdain. "Forget it!"

Andrew tried to pull me into a hug. "How about another 7 thousand dollars..."

Before he could finish, Jorden suddenly yanked Andrew away, making me stumble too.

Andrew barely had time to react before Jorden punched him square in the face.

"Jorden! What the hell are you doing?" I shouted.

The two of them were locked in a full-on brawl, swinging at each other with no sign of stopping.

I was anxiously stomping in place, but I was too scared to get between them.