I pretended to be casual and stomped on his
shoe with my heel.
<
He winced, looking furious.
“Taylor James!”
Sarah told me that the stories about Matt
cheating were false.
He did meet up with his ex at the hotel, but it
was a coincidence.
They just happened to book rooms at the
same hotel.
Matt and his ex didn’t do anything, and he
slept in his own room.
The ex also had a boyfriend, and shared a
room with him.
L
The hug was just a goodbye hug, and he
turned it down.
But she suddenly hugged him and he pushed
her away.
And the media twisted the story.
Sarah wanted to believe him.
“I don’t know what you see in that player.”
Even though the misunderstanding was over, I
still thought Matt was a jerk.
Stepping on his foot was the least he
deserved.
“Matt, who’s the new girl you brought?”
Sarah was home celebrating her
grandmother’s birthday.
So Matt must have come with another
woman.
“I brought my cousin!”
I chuckled and called him a “scumbag.”
Matt sighed, “Whether I’m a scumbag or not
is none of your business.”
“Taylor, stop getting involved with Sarah and
me.”
“I haven’t settled the male model thing, just
because you’re Sarah’s friend doesn’t mean
I’m going to put up with it.”
く
I was mad. “You’re the one who’s causing
trouble, stop giving the media stories!”
“Sarah and I grew up together. She’s family
to me.”
“If you hurt her, I’ll step in.”
Matt smirked, “You’re not good enough. Try
to become my sister–in–law first.”
“But you’ll never be that. My brother isn’t into
you.”
“The girl he brought tonight is better than
you.”
I followed Matt’s gaze and saw Ben in a
corner.
<
He had a curvy lady in a red dress next to
him.
Ben was clinking glasses with her when he
looked up.
Our eyes met, but his gaze was cold.
He looked at me, and then looked away.
I felt a strange anger and walked away.
I went into the garden and sat on a swing.
The moon was up.
Everyone had their family. I felt like I didn’t
have one.
My parents got remarried. After that I felt like
I was drifting.
–
く
Sarah and I have been friends forever. When I
was little and others would make fun of my.
family, she would yell at them for me.
She was such a calm and quiet person, but
she got angry because of me.
Because I didn’t like to be home, she took me
to her house for dinner.
Her parents were so nice to me.
She was my family.
She was someone I wanted to be with
forever.
From elementary to college we never
separated.
く
From elementary to college we never
separated.
But even the best relationships can’t stay the
same.
She had her own family now.
When she got married, I felt like I lost a family
member.
I was drifting again, higher and further.
I wanted to be with Ben, so Sarah and I could
be family.
Closer, more conventional family.
We could be together on the holidays.
<
But Ben didn’t like me.
First time I chased a guy, and I failed.
Seeing that girl with Ben, made me
uncomfortable.
I felt disappointed and sad.
And I felt other strange emotions stirring.
I sighed as I looked at the moon.
“What’s with the sighs?”
A familiar, cool voice came from above.
I stopped the swing and looked up to see
Ben.
<
He was looking down at me, and I saw a hint
of liquor on him.
Even from this angle, he was so good-
looking.
We stared at each other. The moonlight was
beautiful, and the wind was gentle.
I felt like I was drunk with his scent. Which
was why I asked him.
“Ben, could you please like me?”
My voice was so low and the tears in my eyes
were reflected in the dark water.
Ben didn’t reply, but he covered my eyes.
I blinked, my lashes touching his palm.
く
I heard him whisper in my ear, “You’re
greedy.”
Then, I could see again.
Before I could ask what he meant, Ben looked
up at the second floor. “What’s your
relationship with Samuel Chen?”
I looked where he was looking and saw
Samuel with a dark expression on his face.
I felt like a kid caught by her parents and
immediately stood up.
I didn’t know what to do.
“At the club, you left with him. Then today
you came here with him. What is he to you?”
く
Seeing me look up, Ben’s expression.
darkened, “Are you scared of him?”
