Chapter 2

Neil was my mom’s best friend’s son. We grew up together.

It was not until we got into the same high school that he found out I had a crush on Lennon.

From then on, he would not stop nagging me.

“Leal Sawyer, wake up! He doesn’t like you at all. The only reason he talks to you is to catch a glimpse of your best friend.”

I did not believe him. So, I made a bet with him that I would definitely win Lennon over.

The bet was that wish slip.

From then on, I persistently wrote love letters to Lennon.

Finally, outside the SAT venue, he confessed his feelings to me with a bouquet of flowers.

Neil rolled his eyes.

“It looked like he was confessing to you, but his eyes were glued to your best friend the whole time. Maybe he was just doing it out of spite. Leal, can’t you be a little smarter?”

I ignored him and threw myself wholeheartedly into my romance and part-time job.

I overlooked the fact that Lennon had agreed to pick me up after work but was called away by Chloe with just one phone call.

I also overlooked the hair tie on Lennon’s wrist when we went out for hot pot.

I had short hair.

The only one who would use a hair tie was Chloe.

“Leal, it’s my birthday tomorrow. What are you getting me?”

I snapped back to reality.

Before I could say anything, Chloe continued, “That Lennon! I just mentioned that I liked the emerald necklace on the bedside table in the bedroom, and he gave it to me! He really went all out just to get me to approve of your relationship!”

A bad feeling suddenly welled up inside me.

I looked at Lennon. A flicker of guilt crossed his eyes.

“What did he give you? Can I take a look?”

Chloe readily pulled it out.

As I looked at the necklace, my heart suddenly stopped.

This was the very last birthday gift my mom gave me before she left.

Rage surged through my head.

“Lennon, you know full well that this was a gift my mom left me! Why on earth did you give it to her?”

He furrowed his brow slightly.

“Chloe is your best friend, Leal. Can’t you be a little less petty?”

I rushed over to snatch it back.

Chloe instinctively stepped back and accidentally knocked over a porcelain bowl. She let out a scream and fell to the floor.

The emerald necklace in her hand also fell to the floor. It shattered into pieces.

I stood there in shock for several seconds.

The gems rolled to my feet. In a fit of rage, I slapped Chloe across the face.

“Leal Sawyer!”

Lennon stopped me.

When he saw Chloe’s swollen and red face, his expression darkened.

“You’ve been at it since yesterday, all because of your mom. Is it worth it? If she really cared about you, how could she have ignored you for three whole years? On the contrary, Chloe and I were the ones who’ve been by your side for the past three years!”

I looked at him, wanting to cry but unable to.

I crouched down and picked up the broken pieces one by one. Then, I carefully tucked them into my pocket.

Lennon realized he had spoken out of turn and instinctively reached out to help me pick them up.

I just looked up at him coldly.

“Stay away from my gems.”

He gulped.

“Then, be careful not to hurt yourself. Chloe’s just blunt. She doesn’t mean any harm. Don’t hold it against her. I put the pudding in the fridge. Have some this afternoon if you get hungry.”

My chest felt so tight and achy; it felt like it was about to explode.

Lennon did not know.

That morning, when my dad had an affair, he had made me pudding too.

Ever since that day, I developed a special distaste for pudding.

Before long, they put on their coats and headed out.

I did not linger either. After packing my bags in the bedroom, I left immediately.

Once I was out in the neighborhood, I noticed I had over a dozen missed calls on my phone.

There was also a message at the end.

[The flight’s delayed by six hours. Don’t worry. I’ll pick you up tonight.]