Chapter 2

There was a whole line of guys wanting to pursue me, but none of them dared to confess in person.

Rashad was different.

He was so bold about chasing me that everyone in the department knew he was after me.

Even after I rejected him dozens of times, Rashad still waited for me at the cafeteria every day, holding my favorite hot cocoa.

After evening classes one night, I shot him down for the twenty-third time. He stood under the streetlight, his eyes red and puffy, his voice shaking.

"Galilea, what will it take for you to finally say yes?" Rashad asked.

I looked at him and smiled, saying yes.

That was the first time he looked at me like that.

But later, when I needed him the most, that look was nowhere to be found.

A faint scent of the club lingered in the hallway.

I tore up those old memories and tossed them away, like used napkins.

"Excuse me," I said.

He didn't budge.

"Galilea, you don't have to act tough with me. I just want to know if you're really alright," Rashad said. "Do you always have to shoulder everything yourself? What happened back then was my fault—"

I cut him off, "Are you letting me through or not?"

The hallway fell silent for a few seconds.

He finally moved his arm aside.

I walked past him, and as I stepped away, his voice echoed from behind.

"If I could go back, I'd give you whatever you wanted," Rashad said.

I didn't look back.

"You can't give me what I want," I said.

When I pushed open the door to the private room, the atmosphere inside had shifted. It wasn't the same as when I'd left.

Emilia was sitting in the center, surrounded by four or five people, everyone getting really worked up about something.

"Honestly, I'm a little embarrassed to bring it up. After all, it's just old college stuff," Emilia said.

When she saw me walk in, she looked startled, hurriedly stopped mid-sentence, and gave the people next to her a quick look that clearly meant "drop it."

It was so obvious and over the top.

I sat back down in my seat, and Sofia gave me a look, her expression hard to read.

Before I could even ask, Kayla Rojas flashed a smile and lifted her glass.

"Galilea, you're back. We were just talking about that Firepot stall at the night market by campus. Remember? The one you always hit up after finals," Kayla said.

Her voice was airy, but the way she eyed me was like I was some kind of curiosity on display.

I kept quiet.

Kayla glanced at Emilia and then cleared her throat, like she'd just gotten a cue.

"Oh, Galilea, I actually ran into you at the mall last month. You were walking so fast, I didn't even get a chance to call out to you," Kayla said.

She paused, letting out a fake sigh, pretending to feel sorry for me.

"But that coat you were wearing... How should I put it? It looked kind of old," Kayla added.

Someone nearby immediately chimed in.

"Yeah, it's been six years since the Hensley family went under, huh? So, Galilea, where do you work now?"

"I heard you're working as an office assistant at some tiny company, is that true?"

None of this was casual small talk.

Every word was meant to remind everyone that the Galilea Hensley sitting here now was nothing like the Hensley family's golden girl she used to be.

Sofia nudged my hand under the table, giving me a subtle signal to let it go.

I wasn't planning to pay them any mind anyway.

But then Emilia suddenly spoke up. "Come on, guys, don't be like that."

She reached out and gave Kayla's hand a gentle shake, her voice soft and earnest.

"Galilea used to have it all, so I'm sure she's still doing alright. Anyway, we're old friends. Let's not get into that," Emilia said.

She acted like she was trying to help, but every word made it clear to everyone: I used to be loaded, and now I'm not.

Kayla went quiet, wearing that "I'm only saying this for your own good" look.

I took a sip of water, keeping my head down.

They'd been perfecting this routine since college.

Sofia squeezed my hand and murmured something I couldn't quite hear.

The door to the private room opened again, and Rashad walked in.

He glanced at me, hesitated for a second, and then took a seat beside Emilia.

Emilia instantly grabbed his arm and whispered, "Where did you go? I couldn't find you anywhere."

Rashad didn't answer. He just picked up his glass and took a sip.

The party picked up again.

Someone suggested playing a game, and others egged Rashad on to give a speech about his promotion. Emilia sat beside him, graceful and poised, playing the perfect image of the woman behind the man.

Everyone stopped looking at me.

I just sat there quietly, waiting for Shannon.

Suddenly, Kayla came over with a glass of red wine, leaned in close, and whispered so only I could hear, "Galilea, let me give you some advice."