"No, we just arrived. Let's find a seat together. By the way, who's this handsome guy? Won't you introduce us?" Belinda winked to Daisy as she saw the other man coming with Edward and her. If she was right, the man with Daisy was the same young man she had met yesterday, who stared at Daisy the whole night. How come they were all together? And how come Edward wasn't jealous?
"Why, you've forgotten me, Belinda? I'm so sad!" Said Brian with a smile as he winked to Belinda merrily. He had also spotted Belinda yesterday night, though he didn't talk to her. Part of the reason was that he was keeping a low profile, and part of the reason was that he had sensed that Daisy was trying to keep him away. He wouldn't enter her social circle without her permission, so he didn't bother her friends accordingly.
Haha! I remember something. But you can't be the sniveling boy who followed Daisy everywhere like a little puppy dog, can you? You're too handsome to be that brat. However, there's an old saying, 'A boy changes fast in physical appearance from childhood to adulthood.' So, you are an adult now?" Belinda quipped as she looked at Brian from head to toe. She couldn't believe her eyes. How could this handsome young man as bright as sunshine be that weak, little boy from her memories?
To everyone's surprise, Edward was the first to be amused by Belinda's words. He laughed out loud at her joke. He always enjoyed watching her belittling random men other than him. Belinda was a master at witty words. She should be the only person that could humble Brian that effectively. The whole night, he had been so angry with this Brian, but had to put up with him because of Daisy. Right now, since Belinda had mentioned his embarrassing past, Edward was so overjoyed. Finally, someone put down this arrogant boy. He'd like to see how Brian would react.
However, Brian was laid back. "Belinda! How ungrateful of you to say that! I've always remembered you as my pretty sister, but you've totally forgotten about how handsome I was. How mean! How can you treat me like this? I have missed you so much! You should be punished! Let's say, a kiss as compensation." Said Brian, with pretended sadness. He pressed a hand at his chest as he spoke, and put on a sad face. He made a show of disappointment. However, the expression in his eyes was naughty and cunning, and the slyness that occasionally appeared in his eyes had betrayed his disguise, making it look a bit like flirting.
Cut the bullshit. You've missed me? Then why didn't you come and chat with me the other night, but instead huddled in your corner and played hard to get?" Belinda debunked him mercilessly. She was puzzled by his gaze last night, and studied him from time to time in secret. At the time, she wondered who he was, and why he was looking at her. She even wondered whether she was too beautiful for the young man to move his eyes away. Nervous as she had been, it turned out that the young man was Brian, her old acquaintance.
"Hard to get? No, not me! I wasn't playing hard to get. I was nervous, and didn't want to talk to you first. I was wondering whether you still remembered me, or even recognized me. Besides, I won't bother Daisy's friends...I don't even know if you want to be bothered. But in the end, you ignored me, and I had to chew my sadness alone, thus I left." Brian had a strong and rich facial expressions, and a flair for dramatic acts. He pleaded like a wronged victim. Edward, who knew about the whole event, was impressed. Brian was so good at telling lies, and compared to him Edward's ability was so much cheaper melodrama. With such ability, this Brian would definitely survive and thrive!
"Okay, that's enough. You two will have more chances to talk about the old days. But now, let's get in and take a seat, " Duke reminded them, frowning. His face was emotionless as always, whereas his heart was overwhelmed with a surge of feelings. He wondered who this young man was, and what were his true intentions? Why did he pop out from nowhere? And why did he talk with his wife like they were old friends?
"That's right! Let's get inside. And you can tell me how you got so gorgeous after I last saw you later on." Still ignoring Duke, Belinda took hold of Brian's hand, and led him into the booth they normally met at, despite Duke gnashing his teeth in anger.
Miss Qin, we meet again. Are you still stuck in the past?" Daisy didn't want to talk to Rachel. But she had to greet her, for Belinda's sake. She needed to make sure that Rachel wasn't blind to the facts. The past should always be the past, even if one wanted to redeem themselves, it would only be a waste of effort.
Mrs. Mu, I have no idea what you're talking about." Rachel's eyelashes flickered as she averted her eyes. She knew what Daisy meant, but she had to play dumb. Daisy and Edward were both beyond her reach. If her real thoughts were revealed, she would be doomed. She was not so stupid to let them pry in her innermost secrets.
Really? Never mind then. But always mind my words. Never insist on something that doesn't belong to you. And most importantly, don't hurt Belinda. If you do, I will stop you." Daisy narrowed her eyes. If she was right about her guess, Rachel and Belinda must have discussed this matter earlier. Or else, Belinda wouldn't ignore Duke and pretend to be familiar with Brian.
"Hurt Belinda? I would never do that. And rather, I am the one to be hurt. Don't you think so, Mrs. Mu? After all, I am the one who was dumped." Rachel hated Belinda more as she started to realize that so many people were her friends. She retorted angrily to Daisy's words.
Miss Qin, I am not trying to interfere in your private affairs with Duke. All the entanglements are between the two of you, and it's not for me to judge who's right and who's wrong. But I want to protect Belinda from all this. And I want everything to be settled soon. After all, Belinda is now Mrs. Leng, and you are a mere ex-girlfriend of Duke. You should know what I'm talking about now. You're just unwilling to accept the fact."
A touch of impatience appeared on Daisy's face. She wondered why every man had to have annoying ex girlfriend? Edward was a ladies man. It was understandable for him to have these affairs. But Duke had little interest in women. Why would he be involved with this woman? Men were a strange breed.