Yiren (Part 2) *Continuation of the previous chapter)
I straighten, bracing myself as Valentina stops in front of me, her eyes sweeping over my rusted truck like it's something foul. "Isn't this what you used to drive to college?" she asks, smirking as she gestures to the battered vehicle. Her friends giggle, but I keep my face neutral.
"Yeah," I reply, my voice clipped. This truck was a gift from Papa, and it's special to me.
She crosses her arms, tilting her head as if examining me. "You know, I always thought by now you'd be a big-shot architect."
"Big shot architect? She doesn't even have a job," a familiar voice sneers. Kristy approaches, a smirk dancing on her lips.
"Really, Kristy?" Valentina asks, her eyes wide with fake surprise.
"Mom kicked her out after she was caught with my designs," Kristy adds, her tone smug.
My fists clench. I try to walk past them and get into my truck, but Valentina steps in my way. Her gaze flicks toward my stepfather's run-down house, disgust evident. "You've reduced to dust. You should've listened to me."
I tighten my grip around the keys. Once, Valentina had pretended to be my friend. Back in college, I had been naïve, desperate for friendship. She had slipped into my life easily, but her interest had always been selfish. When I realized she only wanted to get to Jun who was from a filthy rich family, I cut her off. She even offered me money once to set her up with him. Still, standing here now, with her life so shiny and perfect, I feel that familiar pang of loneliness creep in.
"Any problem, Val?" a man asks, approaching from behind. He snakes an arm around Valentina's waist, and she leans into him with a smug smile.
"All good," Valentina replies, glancing at me. "Yiren, this is my fiancé, Cade. Owner of Stone Rise Developments."
Cade extends a hand toward me, offering a polite smile.
Stone Rise Developments? That's the company behind the Central Park project. My gaze shifts between Valentina and Kristy, their knowing smiles revealing everything.
Valentina leans in to whisper, her breath reeking of alcohol. "I never forget, sweetheart. Never." She pulls back, laughing. "You should come to our wedding, Eli. For old times' sake."
"Definitely," Cade adds, oblivious to the tension. He motions to a server, whispering something.
I force a smile for Cade's benefit. "Nice meeting you, Cade. I've got to go."
Valentina grabs my arm before I can escape. "Take the invite, please. The entire New York business circle will be there. You should come."
She shoves a golden envelope into my hand, squeezing my fingers around it. I turn and climb into my truck, their laughter echoing in the night as I drive away.
All I want is to sleep and forget this shitty day. I park my beat-up truck next to rows of fancy cars, each one worth more than I'll ever make in a year. The doorman holds the lobby door open for me as I walk in.
"Madam," he greets with a polite bow.
I glance at his name tag and reply in Spanish, "No soy ninguna señora, Antonio." (I'm no madam, Antonio.)
A warm smile spreads across his face as he recognizes the language. "Seguro que lo eres, ya que vives en el edificio." (Sure you are, since you live in the building.)
"Feel free to use your native tongue with me, my step dad is from Spain. " I say as I step into the elevator. "What's your favorite dish? I'll cook for you."
"Albóndigas," he replies with a grin.
"Noted." The elevator doors close, and I check the time. It's already midnight. Jun must be asleep by now. I enter the apartment quietly, careful not to wake him.
But the faint glow of a lamp catches my attention. Jun's silhouette is outlined in the living room. "You're still awake?" I step closer. He puts down the Kindle and removes his reading glasses, looking at me.
In his silk pajamas, hair tousled, he looks nothing like the polished CEO from earlier. He looks... ridiculously attractive without even trying. Meanwhile, I probably resemble a rag picker after all the cleaning, dusting, and crying I did today.
His eyes rake over me, and I feel self-conscious. "Everything okay?" he asks.
"Yup," I reply, forcing a smile.
"You look awful," he says, his eyes narrowing.
"Glad to see your vision's working just fine."
He doesn't bite back. Instead, he reaches out and gently wipes at the mascara smeared beneath my eyes. I instinctively hide the golden wedding invite behind my back.
"Freshen up," he says. "I'll heat the food." Without waiting for a response, he heads to the dining table and starts gathering the bowls.
"I-I…" No words come out. I'm stunned.
"What are you waiting for? Christmas?" he asks, still not looking at me. "I'm starving, bunny. You made me wait so long."
Wait. He hasn't eaten yet? He was waiting for me?
Today's been a nightmare, but this one small, kind act from him—it's like a dagger to my heart. Tears threaten to spill again, and all I want is to hug him. What would it be like to fall into his arms and let him comfort me?
"Why didn't you eat?" I ask, my voice soft.
"I'm giving my metabolism a head start on tomorrow's breakfast."
I laugh, following him into the kitchen. "Thanks." He pauses but doesn't acknowledge my gratitude. "How many times did you curse me while waiting?"
"Nine hundred ninety-nine."
"So, it's safe to assume you missed my company, Juju."
"Mhmm, like a fish misses a bicycle," he says, turning to lean on the counter. "Now hurry up, or I'll eat you instead."
My eyes widen, and he realizes how I've taken his words. He flicks my forehead. "Corrupt mind."
I giggle, leaving for my room, a spring in my step. "Watch out, Juju. Keep doing things like this, and I might think you want me to stay forever."
I already ate dinner with Papa earlier, but for a certain grumpy someone, I wouldn't mind eating twice. Or three times.
*****