Chapter 19 Too Foolish
Daniel made it clear: Zoe was his girl, and he'd spoil her. Any mistakes she made, he'd cover.
Basically, if there was a problem, take it up with him, not Zoe!
I still said no, and Daniel started lecturing me, giving me a headache.
I had no choice but to change and go with him.
It was just a barbecue! No big deal. If I kept refusing, it would seem like I was dwelling on it.
As I was about to leave, Helen handed me an umbrella, grumbling that I should come back early. The weather looked like it might rain, and I had just recovered, so I shouldn't get wet and catch a cold again.
Daniel promised to take good care of me, which finally made Helen smile.
I put on a white dress, let my hair down, and added some lip gloss. Helen said my hair looked great down.
When I walked out, I saw Daniel's eyes light up.
I was five foot six, with a slim waist, long legs, and a good figure.
Daniel and I walked side by side, chatting about recent stuff.
The path was narrow, with kids running around, making it a bit crowded.
I stepped back to avoid him, and he gave me a displeased look.
I looked away, keeping the same pace, just a step behind him.
Walking side by side with Daniel used to be my favorite thing. I used to look forward to walking with him on campus every day, rather than trailing behind.
But Daniel never cooperated, always walking ahead with a cold face, while I followed like a lost puppy.
Looking back, I was really pathetic, being treated coldly by Daniel every day and still being so happy. It was truly embarrassing.
Now that we had the chance to walk side by side, I no longer cared and preferred to stay behind him.
Because my mindset had changed, Daniel was no longer the most important person to me.
The barbecue place was called Boiling Point.
Daniel picked a booth by the window, where we could see the busy street and my reflection in the lights.
We had just sat down when it started raining. I was grateful for my mom's foresight; otherwise, I would have been soaked.
Daniel piled a lot of barbecue on my plate.
I reached out to stop him, blushing, "I'll do it myself."
Daniel looked at his knife and fork, smiling mischievously, "Why, you don't like me? We used to share a spoon to sneak milk powder when we were kids, taking turns eating half a bag. You weren't embarrassed then."
"I call that learning from my mistakes," I replied.
"Jane, can you stop being so sarcastic? Sometimes I wonder if this cold and indifferent person is still the Jane I knew. How did you change?"
I thought, 'I didn't change; I'm still the Jane who liked you. You changed, Daniel. You've become someone I don't recognize.'
"Hurry up and eat, the meat won't taste good if it gets cold."
I took a bite, and it was pretty good.
Daniel awkwardly stuffed his mouth with meat, chewing away.
I wasn't that hungry, so I just nibbled a bit and waited for Daniel to finish so we could head back.
I stared at the top of his head, my mind drifting.
I thought about our mischievous childhood, our teenage years, and everything in between over the past nineteen years.
Daniel was almost done eating and stopped to look at me. He pulled out a napkin and reached over to wipe the oil from the corner of my mouth.
Since that party that changed everything, we hadn't been this close. His sudden move made me pull back quickly.
His hand paused, then he smiled and withdrew it.
"The barbecue's done. What do you want to say?"
He frowned slightly, his eyes full of mixed emotions. "Jane, what happened last time was Zoe's fault. I apologize for her. But you were also wrong. She was really affected by her dad's situation, making her very sensitive and insecure. We've grown up together and have a deep bond. We’re practically family already. I want..."
Daniel hesitated. I looked up, curious, "What?"
"I want you to be more careful with your words for me, to cut her some slack. She cried a lot after that day, saying she felt insecure with me, afraid others would laugh at me because of her. She said she felt small standing next to you. Jane, I don't want her to be sad all the time. Can you understand?"
I laughed, feeling pretty empty inside.
I couldn't understand. Daniel was blatantly biased.
Talking about apologizing and inviting me to dinner, I actually believed it. Turns out I was too naive.
Daniel wasn't inviting me to dinner; he was using it to negotiate, asking me not to upset Zoe.
I could do everything Daniel asked, but why should I?
I was willing to be humble in front of Daniel, but should I also bow down to Zoe?
Who gave Daniel the right to boss me around?
I sneered, feeling hollow inside, "Zoe is your girlfriend, not mine. I have no obligation to pamper her for you. You were there the whole time that day; it was clear she provoked me. Why couldn't I fight back? Zoe's provocation is sensitivity and insecurity, but my defending my family means I have to sit through your lecture disguised as an apology and a meal? Daniel, are you blind?"
Daniel's face changed quickly. He stared at me in disbelief, not expecting such a strong reaction. After all, I had always been obedient to him, and this was the first time I argued so fiercely.
But it wouldn't be the last time.
Maybe in Daniel's mind, I was still his little follower, always at his beck and call, never refusing.
Unfortunately, the Jane who had him in her heart and eyes was pushed away by him and would never come back.
Daniel silently looked at me for a while without speaking. I ignored him, feeling that this meal was really pointless, and picked up my umbrella to leave.
Daniel quickly grabbed my sleeve to stop me, "Jane! I'm sorry, don't rush off. We haven't been able to sit down and talk like we used to for a long time. Can we chat for a bit?"
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