Chapter 112 Blinding Them with Brilliance
Reese had just sat down and logged into her social network when her college group started blowing up with messages. She wasn't particularly interested in the chatter; after all, years had passed since graduation with little contact.
But just as she was about to shut it off, seeing her name stopped her cold. It's funny how curiosity can hook you when you least expect it. And she had already clicked through.
Someone in the group was asking about her.
"Reese missed the reunion last year, and we have to make sure she shows up this time. Sofia, weren't you and Reese besties back in the day? Always following her around, and now she won't give you the time of day?"
"I bet Reese is too ashamed because she's ugly. How can we eat if she turns up and spoils our appetites?"
"Yeah, I remember in college Reese wasn't exactly a looker—it was like a whole new level of ugly, and everyone kept their distance."
Someone mentioned Reese might have gotten married, triggering a wave of shock and curiosity.
"No way, she's as skinny as a rail and with those looks, who would marry her?"
Sofia felt uncomfortable as she watched them tear Reese down and wanted to defend her friend.
"Can we please stop talking about Reese like this? She might not be a beauty queen, but she has a good heart."
Sofia still remembered how Reese stood up for her in college when others picked on her for being too gullible. And in her eyes, Reese had that slowly-endearing kind of beauty.
Reese couldn't help but laugh at their mockery. Far from what her classmates thought, not many from her college days had ended up doing well, and she certainly wasn’t one to hide like a scared mouse. They wanted a show, and she was tempted not to disappoint.
She quickly typed on the keyboard.
"Give me the time and the address, just send them when it’s time."
It's just a reunion, right? But let's be real, it's the ultimate showdown of showboating wealth. The successful ones strut their stuff, the strugglers cling to their coattails hoping for a leg up.
Reese's reply set the chat ablaze.
Whoa, Reese just responded. Thought she vanished off the face of the earth!
Reese chuckled, "With all of you so concerned about me, how could I ever disappear?"
Reese is in! Let's just do it tonight then.
Yeah, let's do it! Pick a place and reserve a table.
I've never actually looked forward to a reunion like this before.
Reese got bored with the nonsense and turned her attention back to work. Lilly might have heaped tasks on her, but nothing Reese couldn't handle with ease.
Most of her time was spent on her latest venture, contemplating starting a new company focused on game development and high-tech products.
Admittedly, she wasn't too familiar with the field, so she needed to do some online reconnaissance.
At six in the evening, Reese received a text from Sofia.
The bistro on the first floor of M Hotel? Reese nearly laughed out loud. Didn't Calvin just acquire that hotel for her last month?
Now, as the owner, she could not help but find it ironic they picked her own hotel for the gathering.
But, they had taste; she'd fallen for the restaurant's decor and the chef's signature dishes captured her heart.
Her reply was breezy.
I'll be there on time.
She wouldn't disappoint those looking to make her the punchline.
Sofia, perhaps worried Reese would be upset, made a comforting call.
Despite the lapse in their contact, Sofia still cherished the kindness Reese showed her back in college.
Reese slid the answer button, her tone warmer, lacking its usual chill.
"Sofia, how have you been lately?"
"Pretty good, Reese. And you? You're doing well, I hope. Don't mind those people; they just can't keep their mouths shut. Remember how you stood up for us in college when the other class tried to push us around? They have some nerve talking about you now."
Reese wasn't actually fazed by their words at all. If she could give anyone a piece of advice: don't waste your time getting angry about those who don't deserve your emotion or time.
"I'm not mad, and I won’t be. You know me, right?"
Those folks weren't worth a second glance, let alone affecting her mood.
Sofia chuckled, "Glad you're not mad. Make sure you come over tonight, on time. Don't worry, if anyone dares to badmouth you, I've got your back."
"Uh-huh."
After hanging up, Reese's smile faded as she dialed Calvin's number.
"Hey, Reese, what's the scoop?" he answered.
"There's a class reunion at the M Hotel tonight. Get ready, buddy. I'm planning on dazzling those haters. You in?"
Calvin caught on immediately.
"Oh, I gotcha. Are these the same jerks who used to rag on Reese for being an 'ugly duckling'? Don't sweat it, Reese. Tonight, they won't know what hit them. Need me to drop by and up your game with my killer looks?"
"No way. I don't want people to think I'm rolling with your clownish style," Reese straightforwardly declined, not bothering to spare Calvin's feelings.
Calvin knew their vibes didn't mesh. A powerhouse like Reese needed someone equally dominant to match her presence.
"Fine. What about taking Malcolm? He seems like your type."
Those two were like a match made in heaven – both first-rate in charm and presence. Standing next to them would make Reese's former classmates feel downright inferior.
Reese dismissed the idea: "I'm just going to a class reunion, not a lovey-dovey showcase. Why would I bring my husband to meet those nobodies?"
Calvin tsked and teased her.
"Reese, you've changed so fast. Not long married and you're already defending your man. Will a time come when you'll only have eyes for him, leaving all of us in the dust?"
"Cut it out. Do I look like someone who ditches friends for romance? Besides, could I have made it this far if I relied on a man?"
If men were reliable, she would have settled down, got married, had kids, and lived a homemaker's life long ago. It was their unreliability that had made her depend on herself.
"Alright, I trust our Reese won't fall head over heels that easily. Later."
Reese snorted softly and started getting ready for the night's reunion. She was almost too excited to see those stunned faces.
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