hapter 9
“It’s fine, just give me a few minutes. I’ll head over right away,” Serena said into the phone before hanging up.”
Her eyes were filled with worry, but she still managed to throw a parting comment my way.”
“Albion, I have something really important to take care of. Once I’m done, I’ll come find you. But don’t even think about bringing up this whole breakup thing again–I’m not agreeing to it.“}
She didn’t wait for me to respond and hurried off without looking back.
I didn’t dwell on it. I just went to work as usual.
That afternoon, right before the end of my shift, I got a call from my mom.}
“I’ve set up a blind date for you,” she announced matter–of–factly. “I’ll text you the time and place in a bit. And don’t even think about standing them up!“}
“Got it, Mom. I’ll make a note of it right now,” I said, my tone laced with resigned amusement as I walked toward the office entrance.
As I stepped outside, I was caught off guard.}
Standing at the door were Stephanie and Serena.}
Instinctively, I ended the call with my mom and approached them. “Sis, what brings you here?“}
“I just wrapped up a deal nearby and thought I’d swing by since it’s about dinnertime. I figured we could grab a meal together and celebrate the new contract,” Stephanie explained with a grin.”
The whole time, Serena’s eyes stayed locked on me, her gaze burning with an intensity that was impossible to ignore.}
I ignored it anyway. I avoided meeting her eyes and deliberately got into Stephanie’s car when it was time to leave.§
Seeing that, Serena’s face clouded with displeasure, but she didn’t say a word.
At the restaurant, we ordered our food, and everything seemed normal–until my sister suddenly brought up something with a teasing glint in her eye.}
“So, I heard Mom set you up on a blind date and even locked in a time. Are you actually planning to go?“>
The moment those words left her mouth, the glass in Serena’s hand trembled. She turned to me, stunned. “What blind date?“>
I ignored her and kept my focus on Stephanie.}
“Yeah, it’s all set. What, did you think I was joking before?” I replied casually.
Serena let out a sharp, incredulous laugh, her expression one of disbelief. “Albion, I’m still alive, you know. Who gave you permission to go on a blind date?“}
Stephanie raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. “What’s that supposed to mean? What does his blind date have to do with you?“}
“He’s my boyfriend. You tell me–does it have anything to do with me or not?”
She stared at me, daring me to agree with her.
Yet, I said nothing.
Stephanie looked completely baffled. “What nonsense is this? How come I’ve never heard about you two being together?“>
“Albion, say something! Is what she’s saying true?” my sister pressed, her tone growing sharper.}
Faced with their escalating emotions, I shook my head calmly.
“No. Serena and I aren’t in any kind of relationship.“}
The words had barely left my mouth when Serena shot to her feet, her face full of shock and hurt. “You can be mad at me, fine! But how could you say something like that?”
Stephanie, equally stunned, tried to make sense of the situation.}
“Wait a second. If you’re saying you two were together, then prove it. Show me some kind of evidence.“@
At that, Serena froze in place.”
The truth was, there wasn’t any evidence.}
We didn’t have a single picture together because she’d always said she didn’t like taking photos.”
One time, I secretly took a picture of our shadows. When she found out, she blew up at me and made me delete it on the spot.
Even when we went out on dates, she always kept at least two meters of distance between us, as if she were afraid someone she knew might see us.I
Our chats weren’t much better–most of the time, it was me asking questions and her giving brief replies.
There really wasn’t anything to prove we’d ever been together.”
Seeing her stuck, unable to come up with anything, Stephanie rolled her eyes.”
“Look, I get it. Our Albion is handsome and successful, so it’s no surprise he’s popular. But don’t you think your delusions are getting a little out of hand?“%
