Chapter 4
Ryan's face changed the moment I said that. He grabbed me by the waist, and before I knew it, the world spun and I ended up sprawled across his chest.
"How about now? You're on top this time," he said.
Embarrassed, I jokingly nipped at the soft skin on his inner arm.
He caught on instantly and, grinning, tickled my armpit right back.
Later, I found myself wondering if this was some new trick to tame someone? Or maybe it was a way for the pet to tame its owner instead?
No matter what, Ryan always made himself unforgettable.
*****
Ryan was always busy. I hadn't seen him since our wedding night.
One day, I showed up at the engagement party of Helen's brother for the free food.
Ryan was the guest of honor.
When he strutted in, looking impeccably handsome, I froze, too nervous to look up.
I turned to Helen and asked, "Is your family close with his?"
She wiggled her eyebrows at me.
"Not really. My mom said he's just here to thank us for those supplements we sent over for his grandpa's birthday," she replied.
Supplements? Was that a joke?
As Ryan got closer, my heart was racing so fast I thought I might lose it right there.
"Hello, Uncle Ryan," Helen greeted him.
With that, she made Ryan my elder too.
Ryan, looking polished and respectable, didn't even bother to look at me. Instead, he started grilling us about grades and jobs like an elder.
Helen was clearly nervous around him, so she quickly pulled me over and said, "Uncle Ryan, this is my best friend, Corrine Holmes."
Whenever I got nervous, I'd start fidgeting with the edge of my clothes.
There was a loud ripping noise.
Before I knew it, I'd made a huge hole in the lace trim of Helen's haute couture dress from Shuvan City.
Helen asked, "Do you two know each other?"
She knew all about my nervous habit, so she was worried about me, overlooking ruined her expensive dress.
"Nope," Ryan said without a second thought.
He shot me a look so cold and indifferent, like I was just another face in the crowd.
It was hard to believe this was the same guy who'd snuggled up to me in bed.
"Hello, Mr. Weaver," I said, keeping it polite and distant.
I could act all polite like him too.
He gave a brief nod. "Hello."
The rest of the engagement ceremony was pretty brief, and a lot of the Palmer family's friends and relatives already knew me.
One of Helen's brother's buddies was being extra attentive to me.
He handed me a piece of dessert that looked delicious.
"Helen told me you have a sweet tooth, so I got you this. It's made by an excellent pastry chef. Here, try it," he said.
I couldn't really tell what made it so special, but it sure looked beautiful.
"It's good. It's not too sweet and really refreshing," I replied.
After that, I joined him and the rest of the young crowd for some games.
All the while, I had no clue that somewhere in the shadows, a pair of eyes were practically devouring me whole.
*****
The engagement was just a passing episode.
After that, Ryan disappeared again.
I went back home and blended into the background, playing the role of a nobody.
Lacey was always on the go, while my parents lived carefree lives. They argued every time they saw each other.
The guy who gave me the dessert was Patrick Simmons.
He kept trying to ask me out.
I told him honestly I wasn't looking for a relationship.
He didn't mind at all. "I can't help liking you, so please don't let it bother you."
He always acted like a real gentleman.
Whenever he went on business trips, he'd send me photos of native insects.
I was kind of an insect nerd.
I believed bugs have their own secret world. It was my dream to explore that hidden world.
One time, he brought me back a whole box of red fire ants.
On a card, he wrote: [Ants are the most organized creatures in the world. How about we explore their world together?]
When a guy actually put in the effort, he knew exactly how to win a girl's heart.
But I was married.
That marriage license felt like a blade dangling over clueless old me.
I wouldn't dare step out of line.
But my parents didn't see it that way.
They kept sneaking me off to all those high-society matchmaking events behind Lacey's back.
I felt like a pig at the slaughterhouse, getting sized up by all kinds of rich guys.
These lopsided setups always took place in some flashy club or bar, like that somehow made the whole thing more appealing.
After one of these exhausting social battles, I happened to pass by Room 888 and, to my surprise, spotted Patrick inside.
He had two girls draped all over him, both dressed in barely-there outfits.
The rest of the crowd was pretty much the same, each guy surrounded by numerous girls.
Someone teased, "Mr. Simmons, when are you gonna bag that dumb Corrine?"
Patrick flashed a sleazy grin. "Women are easy to reel in with a few tricks, especially a dumb one like her. I bought a box of cheap dyed ants online for three bucks, and she's already halfway in love with me.
"Next, I'll sit back and watch her walk right into my trap."
The whole group cracked up, their laughter dripping with sarcasm.
"Seriously, what an idiot. Three bucks and she's all yours," they said.
Patrick groped the girls on either side of him and continued, "I'm sick of all the wild types. Sometimes one just craves something fresh and innocent. And with a face and body like hers? Damn, she gets me hot."
Another sleazy guy sucked up to him, "Mr. Simmons, you really have an eye for picking out treasures."
Patrick raised an eyebrow. "Corrine really is a treasure. That shrew Lacey keeps a close eye on her, so I'm betting she's still a virgin.
"Man, I can't even remember the last time I had a virgin.
"Get in line, boys. When I'm tired of her, you can all have a go."
A chill ran down my spine. I stumbled away from the door, practically tripping over myself as I rushed for the elevator.
I was so freaked out, I didn't notice who was already inside.