Chapter 5
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Chloe's gaze flickering between me and Matthew.
An alarm bell went off in my head. I practically shrank into myself, wishing I could telepathically tell this gorgeous woman to stop staring. I needed her to know I didn't want her man, hoping she would spare a bystander like me from her wrath.
Sure enough, the next second, Chloe was snuggling up to Matthew.
They whispered something to each other, and when she sat up, her ears were bright red. The air was thick with the promise of something about to happen.
"So, Chloe, what was that all about?" someone teased.
"Yeah, is there some good news you're not sharing?"
I felt a wave of overwhelming appreciation. They were my absolute heroes. They had articulated my inner monologue perfectly, speaking the truths I couldn't.
Chloe blushed, casually leaning against Matthew. "Oh, it's nothing. Matt just asked me to stay with him tonight," she cooed.
I raised an eyebrow. Was it really appropriate to announce that in front of a bunch of high school students?
As expected, the crowd erupted in another round of teasing.
"I knew it! Matt's been playing the field overseas, but his heart was always back here with someone special. It was you all along!"
"Congratulations! You two are perfect for each other."
I clapped along with everyone else. And I meant it.
Matthew's eyes found mine as he murmured, "Olivia..."
Chloe spoke at the same time.
I made a conscious choice to ignore Matthew and gave Chloe a moderately friendly look. "Yes?" I asked.
"I was in such a rush to get here that I didn't pack a bag. I was hoping you could do me a favor and run an errand for me. It's just... you know, my lingerie and stuff... I don't really trust anyone else to pick it up..."
The realization clicked. She expected me to fetch and carry her clothes just like I used to, as if I were her personal maid.
Seriously? I would rather face a firing squad than endure such an insult. How could anyone be so thick-skinned?
Matthew was shooting me an intense stare. The scene felt like a twisted replay of a memory I had tried to bury.
He had made his relationship "Instagram official" immediately after graduation.
But what chilled me was the timing. It was just twenty-four hours after I heard him tell his friends in the room that while he was willing to provide me financial support and love, he would never, ever marry me.
The very next day, he and Chloe spent the night at his luxury penthouse downtown.
Early the following morning, my phone rang. His instructions were short and to the point: I was to bring over a new set of lingerie for Chloe.
He had even given me her exact size so that I wouldn't mess it up.
When I arrived, he answered the door shirtless, with a towel-clad Chloe in his arms.
He crooked a finger, beckoning for the bag.
"Olivia," he said, his tone patronizing, "you're still young. Go home and study. You should know what you should and shouldn't do."
His words had felt like a thousand tiny needles piercing my heart.
I used every ounce of my strength to stand tall to force a polite smile. "I know. Thanks for the reminder," I replied.
He did me a favor by reminding me that my crush wasn't all that wonderful after all. If that was the case, letting go was the only option. It is a big world. Somewhere out there, I knew I would find a kindred spirit.
I was young. Why waste my time on one person who clearly didn't value me?
Now, watching them together, I felt it was like no time had passed. But I wasn't the same weak girl I had been. I had learned to say "no."
My thoughts snapped back to the present. I met Matthew's eyes and let a mocking smile play on my lips.
I said, "I refuse. Matthew, you have so many girlfriends. Are you telling me that in this entire mansion, you can't find a single change of clothes for a woman? If I remember correctly, the girl you were with last month was about Chloe's size."
I finished with a polite but pointed giggle in Chloe's direction.
As expected, both of them looked like they had just swallowed something foul.