Chapter 3

At that moment, Marvin sent me a WhatsApp message: [Babe, are you feeling better? I ordered you some fried chicken and coffee. Please don't be mad at me, okay? Love you.]

I stared at his message for ages, then blocked him and wiped all his contact info from my phone.

After a quick hello to my aunt, Reyna White, and dropping off my stuff, I grabbed a cab back to campus.

I was there to pick up my score reports and to say my goodbyes.

I was walking along the newly renovated track, listening to the laughter and chatter of the younger students around me, when I ran into the last people I wanted to see.

It was Marvin and Vivian.

Vivian was affectionately linking her arm with Marvin's, and as soon as she spotted me, she flashed a bright smile. "Serena, what a small world."

Marvin hurried over. "Why are you back at school? I was about to call you. The delivery guy said you didn't pick up your order."

I shot him a cold look, my gaze lingering on Vivian's hand clutching his arm.

Only then did Marvin realize what was going on, and he awkwardly pulled his arm away. "Vivian said she wanted to check out my old school, so I showed her around."

"Yeah, I always felt bad I never got to see Marvin's college," Vivian said, grinning as she leaned closer to me. "Marvin and I are like brother and sister. We've been like this for years. Hope you don't mind, Serena."

I couldn't stand the awkwardness, so I turned and left.

But Marvin grabbed my arm, sounding a little hurt. "Serena, are you still mad? I know you're not going to get over this so quickly, so I bought you your favorite bag.

"Please forgive me. Don't stay mad at me, okay? I promise I'll never miss your calls again."

He pulled an elegant gift box out of his backpack. It was the newest bag from a luxury brand, the exact style I'd mentioned on my Facebook not long ago.

Memories suddenly came flooding back.

Back in college, Marvin was always like that. He'd remember every little thing I mentioned, even when I needed extra care.

Whenever he made me mad, he'd write me those long, sweet texts to make it up to me, and he'd splurge on flowers and gifts to make me smile.

I'd often sleep in and skip breakfast, so he'd get up early to make sure I ate something. If I was feeling down and stayed up late, he'd stay up with me, chatting and keeping me company.

When I asked if he shouldn't be telling me to get some sleep, he'd say, "Your feelings matter more than anything."

His thoughtfulness and gentleness made me fall for him.

And that was why, every time Vivian came into the picture, I kept forgiving him, over and over.

Vivian suddenly chimed in, "Marvin went all out for this bag. We hit up so many stores."

She gave Marvin a proud pat on the shoulder. "I picked out this color for him. It looks perfect on you, Serena, doesn't it?"

I suddenly looked up. "You picked it?"

Marvin nodded with a smile. "Yeah, Vivian's got great taste."

Vivian hooked her arm around Marvin's neck. "Of course. I mean, come on, my taste is legendary."

Marvin slipped his arm around her waist, and the two of them laughed like there was nothing wrong.

That scene hit me like a slap in the face.

"Marvin," my voice was shaking. "Do you remember what you said on our first date?"

He froze. "What?"

"You said, 'I have to pick out Serena's gifts myself, because only I know what she really likes.'" I shoved the gift box at him. "And now?"

The box fell to the floor, spilling open to reveal the elegant bag inside.

"I..." Marvin stammered.

Vivian's expression soured. "Hey, what's that supposed to mean? I was trying to help, and now I'm the one getting blamed?"

"Shut up!" I cut her off. "This is between me and Marvin. Stay out of it."

Marvin frowned. "Serena, don't be like that. Vivian's my best friend. Can't you give her a break?"

"Best friend?" I let out a cold laugh. "Since Vivian came back, how many times has she used the 'we haven't seen each other in ages' excuse to get you to hang out?

"Last time we were on a date, you ditched me at the restaurant because she called. And now you're letting her crash at your place.

"Remember this. If you two get married, don't think about sending me an invitation. I don't want any of that bad luck."

People around us had stopped to watch the drama unfold.

"Last time, I had to pull some serious strings to get Marvin those VIP tickets for his favorite esports tournament, and all our friends were there, too." Vivian pouted, shooting back.

She added, "Marvin, I even told you to buy her flowers after you told me what happened. Didn't you say you already made it up to her?"