Chapter 2
The next evening at seven, Kevin came over to pick me up, acting like nothing had happened.
I was just about to slip into the dress when he stopped me.
"It's still early, and the dress hasn't even been ironed. Let's get it pressed at the hotel, and you can change there," Kevin said.
I didn't like the dress, so I nodded right away.
But when we got to the hotel, the dress was gone from the back seat.
I was about to go look for it along the road, but Kevin stopped me and raised his phone.
"People in the group chat have arrived. If you don't wear the dress, that's totally fine. Honestly, you look amazing to me even in a white tee and jeans," Kevin said.
He pulled me into the private room.
The restaurant manager greeted us respectfully.
"You've arrived half an hour early. Would you like to start now, or..." she asked.
Kevin jumped in before I could say anything. "Wait a bit. Someone's still not here."
I frowned as I scanned the round table.
All forty-five classmates were present.
Just then, Lily walked in, rocking the exact same dress I'd bought yesterday.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," she said.
The dress had barely disappeared, and now Lily was rocking it.
I couldn't help but feel like something fishy was going on.
"Wait, is that dress..." I started.
Kevin cut me off, his voice suddenly sharp.
"Jane, don't say anything," Kevin said, leaned in, and whispered, "There are so many people here. If Lily really bought it herself, you'll embarrass her in front of everyone.
"And it'll make everyone think you're looking down on her."
I was ready to question Lily, but then I swallowed my doubts.
"Let's sit down," I said, and then I turned to the manager. "We can start now."
The manager picked up his walkie-talkie.
"Bring out the nine-tiered birthday cake," she said.
The doors were pushed open.
Everyone's jaws dropped.
The waiters went around, lighting the candles. Then they dimmed the lights.
I was just about to get up and blow out the candles, but Kevin pinned me to my seat.
Then Kevin kicked off the birthday song, getting everyone to join in. "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you..."
My eyes grew hot with emotion.
Lily, who was sitting closest to the cake, put her hands together, closed her eyes, and blew out the candles.
That was when Kevin sang, "Happy birthday, Lily."
A single tear slipped down Lily's cheek to her lip as she looked at Kevin affectionately.
Her voice was quiet, but everyone heard her.
"I wish Kevin could always stay with me," Lily said.
The lights came back on.
I looked at the manager.
"I was the one who called you..." I began.
But before I could say, "to make the reservation," Kevin quietly cut me off.
He warned, "I planned all this, so don't take it out on anyone else.
"I promised Lily she'd get to feel like a princess for once. Your family's got money, so this is no big deal for you. But Lily's different. She's never had a birthday cake in her life."
That "princess experience" Kevin talked about cost 30 thousand dollars, but he just brushed it off and gave it away to someone else.
My chest tightened with anger.
Kevin went on, his voice icy and firm.
"If you don't want to break up, then stop making a scene," he said.
I yanked my hand out of his grip.
The whole class picked up on the tension and went dead silent.
All eyes were glued to the three of us.
Lily's eyes were brimming with tears.
She said, "Jane, I never meant to steal Kevin from you.
"I won't fight you for him. I just hope you'll let me quietly love him from afar.
"I know, with his family background, being with you is the best thing for him. Otherwise, someone as amazing as him would never escape his situation."
Kevin's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and his voice was caught in his throat as he tried to speak.
"Lily, you... I..." Kevin choked up.
The air between them was charged with unspoken love.
So that was his plan all along.
He had me shell out for the dress and hotel, just so he could celebrate Lily's birthday in style.
I let out a bitter laugh and slammed my hand down on the table.
"Kevin, the dress was never really lost, was it?" I said.
He kept his gaze fixed on the floor, avoiding my eyes.
"That dress never suited you anyway. Lily pulls it off way better than you ever could," he said.
Good. At least he admitted it.
I held out my hand, palm up.
"1,200 dollars. That's what the dress cost. Send me the money right now, or I'm calling the police and reporting you for theft," I said coldly.
Kevin gritted his teeth.
"Jane, do you really have to calculate everything so clearly with me?" he said.