Chapter 549 Are We Doing This or Not
Brooklyn arrived at the mall right on time, just as she and Kelly had planned.
Today, she not only drove an old, beat-up car that was probably outdated by decades, but she also wore a dress that fashion had long since left behind.
To top it off, she wore oversized sunglasses that covered most of her face.
Kelly was thrilled with Brooklyn's self-sabotaging outfit. As soon as she saw Brooklyn, she ran up and grabbed her arm.
"Hey, Brooklyn! I knew you loved me the most! So, what do you wanna eat? It's all on me today!"
Brooklyn tapped Kelly's head and then looked her over.
Kelly was dressed in the latest Chanel dress, paired with four-inch heels that made her almost as tall as Brooklyn in her flats.
"Alright, I want a full-course banquet. Can you handle that?"
Kelly nearly dislocated her jaw in shock. "Brooklyn, if you want that, go ask Sebastian. Don't bleed me dry! Even though I'm not short on cash, the thought of you, a big spender, robbing me is just too much!"
Brooklyn knocked on her head again. "Fine, just buy me a drink."
"No way, I have to show you my true love!"
The two of them wandered around the mall.
Kelly, as usual, bought things without any plan, ending up with dozens of shopping bags filled with clothes, shoes, skincare products, and jewelry.
When she turned around and saw Brooklyn carrying only her small purse, Kelly let out a surprised scream. "No way! You're not buying anything? Brooklyn, you're rich! How can you not buy anything?"
Brooklyn had looked at a lot of stores, and some of the clothes were nice, but thinking about her already full wardrobe at home, she decided against it.
She wore a lab coat to work every day, so no matter how nice the clothes were, they were useless. Keeping them at home was just a hassle.
"I don't need clothes. Besides, do I need clothes to look good?"
Brooklyn spun around, her graceful figure exuding elegance even without beautiful clothes.
Kelly clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction. "Ugh! God is too biased towards you! Fine, you're paying for dinner tonight!"
Brooklyn took a few shopping bags from Kelly. "You have a date tonight. He'll pay for dinner. Why do you need me?"
Kelly giggled. "That's exactly why I need a good meal now. I can't eat a lot on a date, right? I need to present a gentle and ladylike image. A lady can't be a glutton!"
"Alright, I'll clean my plate tonight, and you be gentle. Your date will be smitten with you!"
"Deal!"
By the time they finished shopping, it was already six in the evening. The restaurant for Kelly's date was on the top floor of the mall, a well-known Verdanza Café, famous as a romantic date spot.
Kelly double-checked her outfit and had Brooklyn inspect her from head to toe.
"How do I look? Beautiful?"
"Beautiful! If I were a guy, I'd marry you!"
Brooklyn put on her sunglasses, the large frames covering her face, leaving only her chin visible. She was fully committed to her dowdy look.
With that, they walked into the restaurant together.
Inside, the piano music was soft and romantic, played by a handsome man in a white suit, lost in his performance.
The atmosphere was enchanting and warm.
Brooklyn and Kelly entered and started looking for Kelly's date.
"What does he look like? Have you seen a photo?"
Kelly shook her head. "My dad said photos can be deceiving and affect first impressions, so he didn't show me one."
"Seriously?"
Kelly coughed. "He'll be holding a rose. My dad said this kind of entrance is more likely to succeed. It's how they do it in the movies."
Brooklyn was helpless. How desperate were Kelly's parents to marry her off?
But after looking around, they didn't see anyone holding a rose.
"Maybe he's late? Traffic is really bad at this time." Kelly muttered, looking around.
Seeing how much Kelly cared, Brooklyn thought the guy must be decent. "It's okay, let's sit down first. We'll go over when he arrives."
"Yeah, that's all we can do."
They sat by the window, chatting idly.
Jake parked his car, grabbed the prepared red rose from the passenger seat, and checked the time. It was already six-thirty.
Jake, who wasn't keen on the date, slowly opened the car door. Just then, his phone rang.
Jake answered, "Aunt, what's up?"
"Jake, have you seen the girl yet? I heard she's nice, good family background, a great personality, and looks. Be nice to her."
Jake leaned against the car door, reluctant. "Aunt, I don't want to date right now."
"Oh, come on. Even though your parents are gone, you still need to. Never mind, just be nice. This girl is good. Send me a photo later so I can see what she's like."
"Okay."
Jake hung up and rubbed his forehead, reluctantly heading to the restaurant.
In a well-fitted black suit, Jake's tall, lean figure and aloof demeanor were quite eye-catching.
He walked through the revolving glass door and scanned the room for his date match.
He didn't see her.
But then, his gaze paused. He saw a girl sitting by the window, chatting with another girl.
Could this girl be her?
No way!
Jake looked around the restaurant. It was full of couples, except for the table with the two girls.
Could it be the other girl?
The girl was dressed not like someone on a date.
Kelly spotted Jake almost simultaneously.
She spat out her coffee. "No way! Brooklyn, don't turn around. Guess who my date is? Fuck, it's Jake!"
"What?"
Brooklyn was equally shocked. Jake? What a coincidence!
Kelly swallowed hard. "Brooklyn, we need to leave. I don't get along with him."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes! Let's go."
They grabbed their bags, a mountain of shopping bags making them very conspicuous.
Brooklyn took all the shopping bags. "I'll go out first. You follow me in a bit."
Kelly gritted her teeth and nodded. "Okay, meet at the parking lot."
Brooklyn's disguise was so good that Jake didn't recognize her as she passed by. She looked completely out of place.
She made it out smoothly, while Kelly prepared to leave.
"Miss, are you ready to pay? That'll be $180."
The words echoed in Kelly's ears.
Jake frowned. "Ms. Wilson, what a coincidence."
Kelly forced a laugh. "Not really. I was just about to pay."
Jake didn't comment. "Alright."
Kelly reached for her wallet and froze.
Her wallet and phone were in one of the shopping bags, which she had handed to Brooklyn.
She didn't have a cent on her.
The waiter smiled. "Miss, we accept cash, card, PayPal, WeChat, or Apple Pay."
Damn it!
She couldn't use any of those!
Meanwhile, Brooklyn was already in the car. If she went to find her, it would be like selling Brooklyn out. She couldn't do that.
Jake watched Kelly playing with the red rose in his hand.
Kelly decided to go all in. She crossed her arms and looked up at Jake. "You, yes, you. You're my date tonight. Even though I don't want to be with you, I'll talk to you for my parents' sake."
Jake smirked, the smile not reaching his eyes. "Oh? So, it's my honor?"
Kelly was furious.
"Stop talking. Are we doing this or not?"
She was ready to fight to the end.
"Since Ms. Wilson can't pay, I should help you out. Sit down. This meal is on me. After dinner, please tell your parents we're not a match." Jake's tone was distant and cold.
Kelly gritted her teeth and thought, 'Who cares about pride? Just because he's good-looking doesn't mean he's all that!'
"Don't worry. Everyone knows we're not a match!"
"Very good."
Kelly sat down, hoping Brooklyn would realize what was happening and leave.
Brooklyn waited in the parking lot for ten minutes, but Kelly didn't come out. She drove forward and saw Kelly and Jake eating together through the window.
Smiling, Brooklyn drove away from the mall.
The old car, which hadn't been used in years, drove along familiar streets towards home.
Halfway there, the car suddenly stopped.
Brooklyn tried to restart the engine, but it wouldn't budge.
She tried again, but still nothing!
It had broken down!
Brooklyn looked around. She was still several miles from home, and there weren't many people or cars around.
What now?
She was about to call for a tow when Sebastian called.
Sebastian had finished work and returned home, only to find that Brooklyn wasn't there. Remembering she wasn't on duty today, he called to check on her.
"Hey, where are you?"
Brooklyn looked at the road sign. "I'm on the highway. The car broke down."
Sebastian grabbed his keys. "Stay where you are. I'll be right there!"
"No need..."
"Stay put. I'll be there soon."
Sebastian was coming to get her?
Brooklyn was mortified!
She had dressed so poorly to match Kelly's act today.
No makeup, wearing an outdated dress. If he saw her like this, she'd die of embarrassment.
Then she had an idea. Kelly's shopping bags!
Perfect!
She'd find something to change into!
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