—Alyssa—
I never expected Gina to eat so much. But everything that was served for us was enough. I watched as Lore ate casually—slowly—and he ate a lot. He asked for more steak. I ate a little more of the fresh lobster and king crab.
He put more slices of steak on my plate.
"Eat more of that."
I made sure to eat the steak with vegetables. The al didn’t stop there. There was a fine dessert, and Chef Wally introduced a young chef who created the desserts. We tasted the cheesecake first, and it indeed lted in my mouth.
"Wow," I gaped. "It’s just like the cheesecake that Laura always brought ho."
"She’s actually the one who made that recipe," Chef Wally said as the young chef, nad Reina, bowed her head.
"We’ll be coming here almost every day," I said and looked at Lore. "You’ll be paying."
He rolled his eyes.
Chef Wally laughed.
"You don’t need—"
"Nope," Lore shook his head. "I will pay, Chef. Or else my boss will fire for not paying."
"You are working already?" Gina asked.
"Yeah," Lore nodded. "I’m a working student." He grinned.
"Oh, I feel bad~~" Gina murmured.
The waiter ca with the bill. Lore glanced at it, and thick blue bills ca out. I gaped as he casually took out fifteen bills.
He whispered to the waiter, who seed pleased and bowed his head.
"Thank you, sir."
"That’s a big tip. You are very generous."
"It’s for everyone," he muttered. "It’s my first ti in a long ti to dine in a restaurant."
I stopped. I didn’t know what kind of work he did, but it seed he didn’t get enough sunlight. Lore finished all of the food. No takeouts. We headed out full. Gina yawned and got comfortable in the back seat.
I burped casually as Lore laughed.
"What the hell? You burp like a man!"
I hit him as he continued laughing. He started the car, and we went to the mall. Lore said he was going to treat us at the mall—one item only.
We went to the bookstore and just picked up so stationery. He was surprised.
"What? Is that all you’re going to buy?" he asked.
Gina really felt bad that Lore was a working student.
"Get more. Don’t embarrass ," he said.
"We will buy this for now, then," Gina said as I nodded.
I reached for a set of books, didn’t bother looking at the title, and placed it on the counter.
Lore and Gina stared at .
"What?" I crossed my arms. "You said to get more."
"But the title..." Gina pointed at it.
It said 18 .
My face flushed as I was about to grab it and put it back, but Lore was already paying. Then he placed his hand over my shoulder and patted .
"It’s alright. You will be eighteen soon. Then you can open it."
I glared at him as the sales personnel packed it up. He handed the bag to and continued patting my shoulder.
"Rember, not to read it until you are eighteen."
I sighed and stared down at the bag. That’s right. I went to school early. I got accelerated twice.
We went to another store, and there Gina bought one outfit for the final classes next week. Lore bought it—still in cash.
I still wondered why he always used cash. People nowadays use cards. I thought he’d use Damon’s credit card.
"Let’s go to the salon. I need a new haircut," Lore said as I recomnded a salon.
When we got there, we stopped. Tyrona was in the sa salon. I ignored that woman, like I didn’t see her.
I heard a familiar giggle, and when I looked to the other side, my jaw dropped.
Sophia and Damon?
"Brother?" I called as Gina followed. "What—"
My eyes went down to their intertwined hands. Sophia looked away as Damon squeezed her hand like he was going to break it.
"Well, it seems Sophia can’t really stop herself. It’s only been a year, and she’s already stepping up as your future sister-in-law," Tyrona said as I turned around and frowned at her.
"Brother—"
"I can explain," Sophia said and pulled her hand away from my brother. "Just like the other won he fools with. We are both just having fun."
"But you were with Kai."
"So?" Sophia shrugged.
My chest felt tight. I didn’t expect Sophia to be my brother’s other woman. How long had they been fooling around?
Damon stood.
"I have nothing to explain," he said casually. "Sophia, I’ll pick you up after."
"Alright, babe," Sophia smiled as Damon kissed my temple and left.
"Wow," Tyrona chuckled. "I never expected you to be a slut like this, Sophia."
Sophia sighed.
"Well, at least I’m not a side chick. Livana’s already dead, so what’s there to be embarrassed about? Also," Sophia continued while the staff cleaned her toenails, "I’m not trying to be a mistress here, Tyrona."
"But Livana is your best friend," Tyrona chuckled.
"Yes," Sophia said while checking her nails. "Did you know what she told ? To take care of her husband. So that’s what I’m doing."
She smiled confidently, but it still broke my heart.
Gina gently pulled as I stepped back.
Gina told to sit down, and she was the one who asked the staff what I needed. I sat there, frozen, as Gina removed my shoes. I still watched as Tyrona and Sophia exchanged sarcasm.
My phone rang, and I nearly jolted. I reached for my phone and answered Kai’s call. My voice shook as I felt really guilty about what I saw.
"H-hello?"
"Hey," Kai chuckled. "Just enjoy the spa. There’s nothing going on between your brother and Sophia. It’s just to annoy Tyrona."
I never expected him to explain so directly. Sohow, the pain in my chest started to fade. I felt relieved.
"Okay," I nodded and pressed my lips.
"Also, I think Sophia has been trying hard to scratch the itch on her hand. She’s allergic to Damon," Kai laughed.
"Stop laughing. I also hate Sophia," I heard my brother’s voice on the other line.
I noticed Sophia casually sprayed her hand with alcohol, then sprayed it toward Tyrona, who stepped back and gracefully returned to her seat.
I glanced at Lore, who was giving instructions to the hairdresser.
I sighed. I really needed my nails done.
Sophia left the spa shortly after she paid. She approached and bent down, whispering in my ear.
"I think we are clear?" she asked.
I nodded and pressed my lips.
Tyrona left earlier, probably to search for my brother.
This ti, Lore used my brother’s card to pay for our services. He also generously tipped them.
"Lore, thank you for today," Gina grinned. "I have my driver nearby, so I’ll leave you both?" She winked at him.
"Yeah, sure. You’re welco, Gina."
Gina hugged and kissed my cheeks.
"I’ll see you next week." She waved as I nodded and waved back.
"Now, now," Lore rested his hand over my head. "I think your Paul is here in the mall as well."
"How did you know?" I asked.
He only grinned.
"I know everything."
I scoffed.
"Now I’ll spend your brother’s money on my new devices." He threw his arm over as he led to the Cyber Center.
He bought a big flat curved monitor and a few more. I gaped at how carelessly he spent the card.
"Are you serious? You treated us, then used my brother’s card?"
"Yeah," he grinned. "Oh, pick whatever you want."
He laughed like a villain. I rolled my eyes.
My brother, who was still fake-dating Sophia, saw us. I approached them as Sophia casually ate.
I crossed my arms as Damon looked at Lore, who was ready to order.
"So, you gave him your black card and let him spend it on those things?" I pointed at the big monitors, chanical keyboard, and everything else. "Those are expensive."
"You also buy customized clothes and bags," Damon pointed out. "Those are more expensive. Lore and I had an agreent. Also, it keeps you from partying in the apartnt."
I sighed and groaned.
"Whatever."
"Go and check the apartnt. Mom is there."
I rolled my eyes and turned back. Lore waved at them, and I followed him while the mall staff pushed the cart to the parking lot.
Lore helped load everything into the back seat and the far back of the Jeep. I sighed and stayed in the passenger seat. Once everything was loaded, Lore tipped them individually. Then he hopped into the car and turned on the music.
"I was hoping to go back to the mansion," I murmured.
"We’ll be there. But I have to put these back in the apartnt."
"Fine. Whatever."
He drove to the apartnt near the school. It had two floors, two maids, and one butler. The space was wide, with a gym and a garden. I didn’t expect it to feel so hoy—almost like a mansion.
"Hi, Lore!"
"Auntie! You are elegantly beautiful as always!" Lore greeted my mother, hugged her, and kissed her cheeks.
"Oh, you are so sweet. I made dinner and your favorite."
"Wow, I love you," Lore said, hugging her as Mom laughed.
I went upstairs to check and found my room with my na on it. It was wide enough—not as big as my room in the mansion—but comfortable. No walk-in closet, but a nice one. My clothes were already there, fully organized. A study table. A queen bed. A balcony. My own bathroom.
I found Lore’s room across from mine. There was also a mini library downstairs and a gym beside it.
"Ally," Mom called.
"Coming."
I went to the dining area and found Lore eating again.
"You’re eating again?" I asked.
"What? We’ve been walking all afternoon."
I rolled my eyes but sat down anyway. Mom served my favorite dish.
"So it’s either you go back to the mansion tonight, or tomorrow," Mom said. "It’s late, and they’ve already set up the guest room."
"Okay. Tomorrow," I sighed.
At least Mom brought everything I needed—my devices, my skincare products. I didn’t want to go back to the mansion just to get tortured by Lore’s strict martial arts shadow fighting
Reviews
All reviews (0)