008: DINNER DATE

My gaze drifted to the menu in my hands, staring down at the dishes scribbled across it. Yet for some reason, Nicholas’ eyes never left his phone.

“Are you expecting someone?” I asked.

Nicholas turned his head toward me. “No,” he said quickly and pushed the phone aside, but then, suddenly, a call came through.

He froze.

My gaze flickered to the screen, no mane and Just a number.

I remembered it instantly Kara's. That one friend I did everything in my power to hold onto.

I forced a smile. “You should answer your call. You never know how important it might be,” I muttered.

He smiled back, picked up the phone, and walked away.

The moment his back disappeared, my smile dropped.

That familiar sting of anger crawled up my spine. Everything rushed back at once. I clicked my tongue and let out a slow sigh, then raised my hand.

“Three of your most expensive dishes,” I told the waiter, “and drinks.”

He nodded and walked away, that same second, Nicholas returned.

“What did you order?” he asked.

“Well… you’ll see,” I muttered.

This time his smile was wide - too wide. Kara must have filled his head with sweet lies.

I flickered my gaze up at him.

“Sorry about earlier,” I said softly. “I was in a rush back then.”

Nicholas arched a brow. “Really? It’s fine. I hit you with my ball, hope it doesn’t hurt anymore?” He gestured toward the bandage on my forehead.

In my past life, he had gently caressed that spot, making me blush.

This time, I didn’t want him anywhere near me.

“You really didn’t have to apologize,” I said, lowering my gaze to the table, pinching my wrist beneath it.

God, I wanted out of here.

Why was I even here anyway? This stupid date?

Yet my body betrayed me, still wearing that soft, subtle sweetness Nicholas always liked.

“You’re beautiful, Anna,” he said quietly.

His hand reached out, resting over mine, caressing gently.

I almost gagged, but instead, I forced a smile.

“You’re handsome too,” I replied, feigning shyness, finally lifting my eyes to give him that innocent-girl look.

“We should hang out more,” he said. “Maybe your parents’ place. Or the beach.”

The word parents hit hard.

I stiffened.

I didn’t want to go back home, or meet my family. I didn’t want their pitying stares, their silent judgment. But if I wanted to survive, if I wanted power, I needed money. And if I wanted to bring someone like Nicholas down, I needed access.

“I stay in an orphanage,” I said calmly, taking a sip of sparkling water.

He froze.

The color drained from his face. “Huh?” he asked. “No parents?”

I narrowed my eyes. Back then, didn’t he already know? I remembered him being nervous, but not like this.

“Didn’t you?” I asked again.

He let out a low chuckle and lifted his glass. “Of course I know.”

Liar.

Before he hit me with that ball earlier today, I had introduced myself. I had been reborn only hours before that, he just never truly listened, he didn't't care.

Why was I even sitting across from this bastard? I reminded myself again.

The waiter arrived then, placing the dishes on the table.

I watched Nicholas’ smile fade instantly. “Huh?” he muttered.

“How much is this?” he asked the waiter.

“Fifty-three thousand dollars.” Nicholas froze.

I watched sweat trickle down his temple, the gulp in his throat as he slowly turned to me.

“Is it expensive?” I asked, blinking innocently.

“I—”

“No, no,” he rushed. “It’s fine. Not a big deal.”

I smiled sweetly and picked up my knife, slicing into my food and eating slowly. Yet I could feel his gaze on me: heavy, angry, simmering with resentment.

In my past life, I had been too innocent. I only ordered cheap food, scared of troubling him.

That girl was dead.

This time, I would drain every single cent he had.

Just a small payment for the money I once lost. I still regretted giving him my estate funds to this very day.

“You should eat too,” I said lightly.

He blinked, looked away, pretending to search for the waiter.

I didn’t care.

My gaze dropped to my phone, a message blinked on the screen:

[Dear Applicant, after careful consideration, we regret to inform you that your application has been rejected. This decision is not based on your skills or experience, but due to other factors.]

I exhaled slowly.

I remembered this. I hadn’t gotten the job last time either. I only reapplied to see if fate had changed.

It hadn’t.

Since I was choosing a different path this time, nothing would come easy.

“Anna.”

Nicholas’ voice snapped me back.

“Huh?”

“I’ve been calling you for a while,” he said.

“Sorry,” I laughed softly. “A lot on my mind.”

Then I leaned forward. “So… any internship positions in your dad’s company? I really need a job.”

He choked on his drink.

“Internship?” he repeated, the liquid still clinging to his lips.

I nodded.

He choked again.

“I - I don’t think there is,” he muttered.

“Oh,” I said softly, but my eyes darkened. “But I heard Kara got recruited as an intern,” I added calmly. “And you helped her.”

“That was-”

“You helped her, didn’t you?” I cut in gently. “Why not help me? Besides, if there’s no position, you can always fire someone.” The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Nicholas froze.

“Fire?” he asked.

“I mean,” I corrected quickly, “aren’t there people slacking off? I really need this job. I’ll repay you handsomely in the future.”

I stared straight into his eyes. He sighed,, calculating. I clearly stated "repay" because someone like Nicholas loved attention, the money.

Good. I wanted him thinking.

Making money was part of revenge to, my gaze drifted toward the door and i froze.

Morana Gallmoore.

Fuck.

That bitch.

Back then, she had bullied me endlessly, especially after I became Nicholas’ girlfriend. No one knew how deep our connection really was then but she was at my throat like a fvcking pocket knife.

I clicked my tongue and looked away just as she stepped closer.

“You?” she yelled, stopping beside Nicholas.

I sipped my sparkling water, unfazed.“Me?” I asked. “What did I do?”

She laughed mockingly. “You dragged Nicholas all the way here. Aren’t you ashamed?”

“I-he actually—”

“You should be ashamed, Morana,” Nicholas cut in sharply. “This isn’t the time. And even if she went on her knees and begged me, you still have no right to insult her.”

Kneel and beg? So that’s the story he was selling.

Morana’s eyes flared.

“Really?” she sneered. “You even wore rags to dinner, Anna. Aren’t you tired? You’re dragging Nicholas down just by being around him.”

I clicked my tongue. Did she just ignored him to mess with me?

“Are you done, Morana?” I asked calmly.

“What did you just say?” she snapped.

I sighed. “Don’t assume things. It makes you lose your brain and common sense.”

Her eyes flared red with fury. “Who the hell are you, you stupid orphan!” she screamed and every head in the restaurant turned.

I lowered my gaze, blinking slowly, then looked at Nicholas. “I didn’t do anything wrong by being here, did I?”

My lashes fluttered and his gaze dipped, to my chest, his expression softened. The cut of my dress was suddenly very useful.

“You should leave,” Nicholas told her.

Morana’s lips parted in shock. She glared at me, sneered, then stormed off.

I let out a shaky breath and allowed fake tears to fall. I hoped he didn’t notice how cold I was earlier.

“She’s always causing trouble,” Nicholas muttered. “Unstable and hurts everyone.”

I almost laughed.

Unstable?

Those were the same words he used back then to describe me. A good wife, a good body, good in bed, yet unstable, lacked skills, was trouble!

My phone buzzed, slowly, I reached for it and swiped it open.

My lashes fluttered.

“Arghhh—”