Chapter 5

The day we are supposed to meet finally arrives.

I put on the dress I pick out days ago, fasten the Van Cleef & Arpels necklace Richard sends me around my neck, and get my hair trimmed into the style that suits me best.

As I cross the campus quad, a guy I don’t recognize suddenly stops me.

His ears turn red as he asks if he can have my Instagram.

For a second, I don’t even process what he is asking.

It isn’t until he awkwardly repeats himself that I realize he is actually asking for my contact information.

I politely turn him down and hurry toward the student center.

The delay makes me a little late.

From a distance, I spot a sleek black Porsche parked along the curb.

Richard is already there.

I take a deep breath and start walking toward him. Then I see Sophie step in front of him first.

“Hi, Richard.”

She smiles naturally, warmly.

“I’m Sophie. You’ve seen my pictures.”

She has clearly dressed up for this.

Everything is carefully chosen, from her dress to her hair, as if she has rehearsed this moment in advance.

Richard looks at her with a calm, unreadable expression.

I stop walking.

The translucent messages appear again after being silent for so long.

【Our girl finally makes her move! Who wouldn’t fall for that face?】

【But did Emily actually lose the weight?】

【Who cares? Even if she shows up now, she’ll only make Sophie look even better.】

Sophie pulls up my old photos on her phone and holds them out to Richard.

“I really didn’t want to tell you any of this.”

She lightly bites her lip, looking genuinely troubled.

“But I can’t stand by and watch you keep getting lied to.”

“This is what Emily looks like. She keeps sending you edited pictures. I’ve told her not to do this, but she only wants to get something out of you.”

Her voice is soft, but loud enough for the people nearby to hear.

Several students turn to look.

Their whispers quickly follow.

“No way. Is this some kind of catfishing scam? Is she just after his money?”

“That’s messed up.”

“Poor guy. He really showed up for a catfish?”

For a moment, the attention makes me want to turn around and leave.

But I stop myself.

I’m not the girl I used to be anymore.

The eyes fixed on me from every direction, along with the guy who just blushed while asking for my Instagram, remind me of something.

I have every right to walk toward Richard with my head held high.

I take a deep breath.

Then I walk toward him, one step at a time.

Richard looks down at the photo in his hand.

He doesn’t ask something.

He doesn’t look disappointed, either.

Instead, he simply hands the phone back to Sophie.

“The person I’m here to meet today isn’t you.”

His voice is calm, almost cold.

“If Emily has something to tell me, I’ll wait for her to tell me herself.”

The smile on Sophie’s face freezes for a second.

But she quickly replaces it with a wounded expression.

“Richard, I’m just afraid you’re going to get hurt.”

“If she really has nothing to hide, then why hasn’t she shown up yet?”

The translucent messages start urging her on.

【Just a little more! If Sophie keeps trying, he’ll add her soon.】

【Men all like girls who are gentle and beautiful. Emily doesn’t stand a chance.】

Sophie opens her mouth to say something else.

I cut her off.

“Hi.”

She doesn’t recognize me.

Her eyes move over my face and dress.

For a split second, I see surprise in them.

Then comes a flash of resentment.

But she quickly puts the polite smile back on her face.

“Hi. Can I help you? Who are you looking for?”

I ignore her.

I look up and meet Richard’s confused gaze.

Then I lift my hand, letting the Van Cleef & Arpels necklace he gives me catch the light just below my collarbone.

I smile at him.

“Richard.”

“I’m here.”