55 vouchers
I’d been cooped up in my hotel room all day, hammering away at my latest column. Finally, I hit send, feeling a wave of relief wash over me.
Just then, my phone buzzed with messages from Sebastian. [Yvonne, wanna grab some skewers tonight?]
[I found this place that does authentic skewers. They’re delicious, not too spicy. The owner has this secret milk that’s supposed to be good for your stomach. Wanna give it a try?]
I replied right away, grinning. [Count me in!]
He actually remembered I loved skewers.
But then I couldn’t help but wonder how he knew my stomach sometimes acted up.
Zackery was never into skewers.
He’d never go with me. He’d always say those places were filthy and reeked, and that I was nuts for eating that kind of junk.
Back in college, when he was all over me, it was always about going to his favorite places, eating his favorite food, watching his favorite movies.
Not once did he ever ask what I wanted.
And I just went along with it, thinking that loving someone meant loving everything about them, even if it meant ignoring what I wanted.
Little by little, I lost track of what I actually needed.
I forgot that I couldn’t make someone else happy if I couldn’t even figure out how to make myself happy.
If I failed to focus on myself in a relationship, no matter how passionate it was, it would fade away one day.
When Sebastian and I sat down at the skewer stand, heads turned everywhere.
Dressed to the nines like some corporate hotshot, he was tall, handsome, and had legs for days and an unmistakable aura. He was impossible to miss amid the chaos of a street food joint.
I nudged him with a grin. “You’re like a magnet.”
1/4
Chapter 7
Aug
He reached over and started wiping down the table for me with a wet wipe.
93%
55 vouchers
He glanced up, wearing that easy, confident look, like he was just used to people admiring him.
“Obviously. I handle projects worth hundreds of millions. Of course, I’m a money magnet.”
If anyone else bragged like that, it’d come off as super greasy. But when he said it, it just sounded honest, like he was stating the obvious.
And somehow, my heart fluttered a little.
I shot him a playful look, gesturing at the crowd. “Dude, I meant eyeballs. Everyone’s staring at you.”
He paused for a second, and then realized what I meant.
He started teasing me, flashing a mischievous look. “Yvonne, come on, don’t pick on a lonely single guy like me. If…”
He shot me a sly grin.
“If you say yes and make me yours, I’ll get up right now and tell everyone to quit staring, saying, ‘My girlfriend’s getting jealous!‘ Just like that, I’d go from a head–turner to a guy who only has eyes for his girl.”
I was stunned for a moment.
I tapped him on the head with my skewer. “Sebastian, you still tell the same lame jokes as back in college.”
He could tell I was dodging the real question, but just smiled and let it slide.
An awkward silence settled between us.
After thinking for a bit, I finally asked him something that had been on my mind for ages. “Back in college, when the three of us always hung out together, why didn’t you ever go after me?”
A hint of disappointment flashed across his face.
“You know I was shy and quiet back then. How could I ever compare to someone as sunny and lively as… Zackery,” he admitted.
He mentioned Zackery and immediately checked my face for any sign of emotion.
Only when he saw I was still happily munching away at my skewers did he relax and keep talking.
2/4
00:52 Sun, 31 Aug
Chapter 7
55 vouchers
“I was always a step behind, and by the time I finally realized what was happening, he’d already been with you,” Sebastian said quietly.
“After graduation, I finally worked up the nerve to give it one last shot. I wanted to know if you’d stay here with me.
“But right when I was about to say something, Zackery’s family ran into serious trouble. You were completely caught up with him, and I knew I was out of the running.
“I mean, with everything going on in his family, there was no way I could ask you not to go back to Shanievlle with him.”
I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions.
He looked me right in the eyes, turning the tables on me. “If I’d tried to win you over back then, do you think I would’ve had a shot?”
Before I could figure out what to say, my phone buzzed–a video call from Leila.
The background was loud and chaotic, with music blaring. It was clear she was partying hard.
“Yvonne, when are you coming back? We miss you so much!” Leila shouted over the noise.
I turned the camera toward Sebastian and waved it around. “I’m living it up here. Don’t bother me. I’m out with this hottie, eating skewers.”
Leila let out a high–pitched scream. “Girl, you really know how to live. Wait, isn’t that classmate, Seb-”
my old
Suddenly, her eyes flicked nervously to someone behind her, and she clapped a hand over her mouth.
Yarden popped into the frame and yelled, “Yvonne, wow! You’ve only been gone two days and you’ve already snagged yourself a hottie?”
Leila yanked on his arm, glancing anxiously over her shoulder and giving him a look that clearly meant, “Shut up!”
I peered at the background in the video. In the dimly lit corner, was Zackery, sitting quietly.
His expression was even gloomier than the dim lights around him.
Just then, a waiter approached Zackery with a dozen bottles of imported liquor. “Sir, here are your drinks.”
Zackery suddenly snapped, “Get lost!” He waved his hand, knocking a bottle against the edge of the table, shattering it. Shreds of glass flew onto his leg, slicing it open.
3/4
00:52 Sun, 31 Aug
Chapter 7
3 93%
55 vouchers
The waiter tried to clean up, but ended up cutting his hand too, blood starting to drip.
Zackery started cursing even louder, actually raising his hand as if he was about to hit the waiter.
His friends were all over the place. Some tried to talk him down, some yanked him back, and others just straight–up screamed.
All hell broke loose in the private room; it was total mayhem.
Leila was still livestreaming the chaos to me. “We’re doomed. It’s a total train wreck in here.”
Yarden leaned in again. “Yvonne, you saw that, right? Total chaos! Maybe you should say something to Zackery, calm him down a bit. Seriously, he looks like he could kill someone tonight.”
When Zackery heard that, his eyes lit up with a flicker of hope. He glanced at the camera, almost like he was waiting for me to say something.
I shook my head and sighed, “Yarden, spare a thought for the poor waiter. Make sure you guys pay for the drinks and give the waiter some money for his medical bills.
“And get the waiter patched up, okay? It’s not easy being a working guy.”
Zackery’s face contorted with fury, looking absolutely unhinged.
Before Leila ended the call, he exploded, “Yvonne, you shameless woman! I tried to treat you right, but you just threw it all away.
“Already moving on to some random guy? Wow, you really don’t waste any time, do you? Fine, whatever.”
4/4
