Chapter 3 What Sort of Bond Holds Between You

One of my roommates noticed the tension between Lucy and me, sensing the charged atmosphere. Glancing at us a few times, she then smiled and tried to lighten the mood, "Cindy, your outfit looks great today. When did you get it? Did Brent buy it for you?"

Lucy immediately looked at my clothes.

"Yes." He spent more than half of last month's salary on it." I replied softly, keeping my gaze on Lucy.

Lucy's expression soured a bit.

I chuckled, turning my gaze out the window. No amount of perfume could cover up the stench of betrayal, making me feel nauseous.

Brent called, asking, "When will you arrive?"

"Soon." I replied curtly, brushing him off before hanging up. Just then, I noticed a voice message from Jake in the text messages. He had added me last night, and I had accepted without exchanging a word.

I played the voice message, holding it to my ear.

Jake's voice was deep and magnetic, but I wasn't in the mood to engage.

"Let's talk tonight," I typed back.

"Who is it?" Lucy nosily leaned in to ask.

"A friend." I replied with a frown.

"Oh, Cindy, who was that guy who came with your brother last time? He's so handsome, even better looking than your brother. I thought your brother was already top-notch, but compared to him, he's nothing." My roommate in front suddenly chimed in, eager for the latest scoop.

If Niko had known that my roommate had commented on him like this, he would have been furious, considering that he believed he was the most handsome guy ever, with no one to match.

"He's a friend of my brother's." I said, picturing Niko's darkened expression and couldn't help but smirk.

"Is there something going on between you two?" Lucy immediately chimed in softly, "I think the way he looks at you is special. Could he be the one you were just chatting with?"

I paused, holding my phone, and turned to Lucy, asking calmly, "Do you want something to happen between us? Or are you hoping Brent and I will break up?"

"Cindy, how could you say that? I would never think such a thing!" Lucy exclaimed, feigning shock.

I rolled my eyes, feeling like this short car ride was never-ending.

When we arrived at the restaurant, it was already crowded with people waiting in line. Brent came out to meet us, looking a bit displeased.

I knew it was because my cold demeanor today had made him uncomfortable, but I pretended not to notice and asked, "Did you manage to get a private room?"

"They're all full," Brent replied with a stern face. "We only got a spot in the main hall. Let's make do."

I stayed silent.

"Brent did well to get us a spot. This place is so popular, Cindy, don't be upset about it. Today is your twentieth birthday, after all." Lucy said, handing Brent a tissue to wipe his sweat.

Brent took it naturally, right in front of me. These two must have thought I was blind.

When Brent noticed me watching them, he realized it was inappropriate and quickly smiled at me, "As long as Cindy isn't upset, I'm fine."

I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh and followed the waiter inside.

While ordering, Brent excused himself to the restroom, and Lucy followed him. A few minutes later, they returned one after the other. When Brent sat next to me, I caught a familiar whiff of perfume.

I pretended not to notice and chatted with my other two roommates, while Brent listened quietly, knowing he was out of place.

During dinner, I drank a bit more red wine. Brent reached out to stop me, gently saying, "Drink less, you can't handle alcohol."

I ignored him and took another big gulp.

Around six-fifty or so, the noisy main hall suddenly quieted down, and the lights dimmed. As my roommates and I looked around in confusion, a group of people approached us, pushing a two-tiered birthday cake and singing the birthday song.

I finally understood what Brent's surprise was.

I glanced around at the people, recognizing some as friends Brent and I knew from high school, along with some of his classmates.

I turned to look at Brent, who was gazing at me with deep affection, his lips still smudged with Lucy's lipstick. I found it all rather ironic.

I was born at 7 PM, so he timed the celebration just right.

He had got everything going for him, except loyalty.

Our old friends handed me gifts, each wishing me a happy birthday and a long-lasting relationship with Brent.

I accepted them all with a smile. However, when my roommate gave me a gift, Lucy suddenly asked, "By the way, Cindy, I saw you with your brother's friend downstairs yesterday. Is he here to give you a gift too? Will he be coming tonight?"

Brent froze. He knew about Jake, but since I always treated Jake like a stranger, he never reacted much.

Seeing Brent's expression change, Lucy quickly apologized with a tearful voice, "I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?"

Brent looked at me, and the room fell silent.