Chapter 2

Sally shrugged, nonchalant. "Either would be fine since you won't get it anyway."

Alex chuckled. "Remember that time he fell asleep? He was still in his seat after we were all gone. He didn't even know that someone had robbed him."

"Exactly. He doesn't even like to watch movies—what's the point of picking the one he likes?"

I was white with rage listening to them make a joke of my embarrassment, even though it was Alex who had insisted that I go with them even after I worked until two in the morning.

It was a thirteen-hour shift, and I was so tired that I fell asleep.

I couldn't find my phone when I woke up, and with both Sally and Alex gone, I was left stranded in the middle of nowhere at half past three in the morning.

Naturally, neither of them came back for me, and I was still really upset about it, warning them to never talk about it again.

But they did and kept repeating it like my pain gave them joy.

That was when Sally finally noticed that I was upset, but she frowned and snapped at me. "Upset again? Can't you ever take a joke?"

Alex eyed her and sighed in exasperation. "Come on, give it a rest. Jim's really upset."

Then, as if hesitant, he said, "That was my bad. Let's go for your favorite ribs for a change…"

"No way." Sally refused before I could say a word. "It wasn't easy for us to get that reservation at that expensive restaurant."

"But Jim is…"

"Don't worry, he's not picky. What, do you think everyone's a brat like you, scrawny and pathetic because you're such a fussy eater?"

Alex raised a brow. "I'm not skinny."

Sally scoffed. "Really?"

Alex's dark eyes twinkled as he smiled mischievously. "I can lift you with one arm."

"I doubt it."

Alex strode forward right then, and Sally took a couple of steps back in reflex, blushing.

Still, she was clearly interested and looked pointedly at me. "Jim would mind…"

But even before I could say a word, she yelped as Alex lifted her into the air and let her sit on his shoulder.

Grinning and putting her hand on her skirt to protect her modesty, he asked, "How about that? Do you believe me now?"

People around were stopping and taking photos, impressed by how much of a boyfriend Alex looked like just then.

Sally was blushing and smacking him repeatedly, stamping her feet when he finally let her down.

"You're too much!" She pouted and ran off.

"Wait up!" Alex was laughing even as he chased after her, and they continued being touchy-feely like a flirty couple.

I didn't move, my cheeks still white with rage.

Sally never looked my way the whole time like I was just another rubbernecker.

My heart ached so much that it turned numb, but I suddenly laughed in relief and took a taxi home.

Over ten minutes or so later, Sally finally called me. "Where'd you go? We can't find you anywhere."

"I went home," I replied flatly.

Silence ensued for a moment, after which they started talking again.

Eventually, Sally sighed. "What's your problem? Can you stop being such a hick? Alex is your friend—why'd you always get upset with him over the little things?!"

Alex was grinning beside her. "You're making a mountain out of a molehill, Jim. Trust me—I'm not interested in Sally. Only you can deal with that fiery temper."

"Who's got a fiery temper? Say that again, I dare you."

"You do. There."

As they once again bickered like there was no one else with them just like always, I felt nonexistent.

Even if I made my feelings clear, Sally would just tell me that I was being paranoid.

In time, I started talking less—now, I couldn't even be bothered to say a word and hung up.

Sally didn't call me back.

When I reached home, the skies were rumbling, and it soon started pouring with a loud crash.

I dashed straight through the gates of my apartment block, but I was soaked through anyway, and I prepared a warm bath after taking off my clothes.

While I waited for the tub to fill, Alex posted a photo on social media, captioned: [We were soaked!]

In it, Sally's white dress was wet, accentuating her curvaceous figure while she had Alex's jacket draped over her shoulders.

I snorted—I never knew that my girlfriend who was always such a clean freak had no qualms about taking someone else's jacket.

A friend who didn't know the context then replied: [Get home quick or you'll catch a cold.]

[We got to a hotel. No worries.]

There was a loud splash as the bathtub overflowed just then, and I shuddered.

Coming to my senses, I got in.