Chapter 226: Decency
I picked up this trick from Isabella. On the outside, it looked like I was being all rebellious and in-your-face, but really, it was just some playful teasing. The end game? Brad would find it both annoying and hilarious, and he couldn't get enough of it. Isabella said most guys can't resist their girlfriends acting like this.
Plus, I knew Brad couldn't actually kiss me, so I had the guts to pull it off. If he were really here, he wouldn't ask for my opinion before planting one on me. Whether I was down for it or not wouldn't change a thing. I wouldn't dare mess with him, scared he couldn't keep his hands to himself. I've seen that hungry look in his eyes more than once, and it was kinda scary.
I still had this idea that we should only get it on our wedding night, and I didn't want to rush things. So, teasing was my only move.
Brad flashed a deep, seductive smile, with a clear threat in his eyes. "Be good, wait for me to come back, I won't disappoint you."
Yep, I was totally trying to mess with him.
After Brad's little threat, I felt way less tense, my breathing got easier, and I slept like a baby.
I trusted Brad, but my playful side made me stir the pot; otherwise, I couldn't pretend I didn't care.
Next morning, the ever-diligent Yancy had breakfast ready. The tall dude was carefully serving porridge, every move precise.
They say serious guys are the hottest, and Yancy was proof of that.
Mia came out after freshening up, and we exchanged a smile before sitting down to eat.
Honestly, I've been pretty lucky. Brad used to handle my meals, and now, thanks to Mia, Yancy was on food duty. Overall, it felt pretty sweet.
While Yancy was in the kitchen grabbing something, I nudged Mia and nodded towards the kitchen. "Mia, didn't expect you to be such a hit with the younger guys now. How's it feel? Gonna give him a shot? Yancy's rich, talented, handsome, and most importantly, he's got a good heart." Mia grabbed a sandwich and shoved it into my mouth, her face turning red with anger. "Eat your food and stop talking crap, or I'll smack you."
"Mia, you're just embarrassed and trying to hide it," I said, munching on the sandwich.
"We're just colleagues and good friends, nothing like what you're thinking. Besides, with my current situation, starting a new relationship is impossible. If Yancy gets the wrong idea and it stops him from finding a girlfriend, that wouldn't be cool. Jane, I'm telling you, don't joke about me and Yancy."
"It's normal for guys and girls to be friends. Usually, explanations are just cover-ups, and too many cover-ups become the truth. Love is something that's already written in the stars," I said.
Yancy came back and asked what we wanted for lunch, clearly missing the point of our convo. I tried hard not to laugh. If Mia hadn't given me that warning look, I might've spilled the beans.
Seeing no one answering him, Yancy looked at us all confused and gave a helpless smile, saying girls' thoughts were hard to figure out.
Mia shot me a look that said, "You started this, you fix it." So I smiled and said, "Nothing, let's eat, we're all starving."
Yancy smiled, picked up a fork, and served Mia a piece of pickled cucumber. "It's fresh, Mia, try it. If you don't like it, I'll get something else tomorrow."
After eating, the three of us headed out together.
Mia and Yancy went off to work, while I went to school to meet Larry and talk about a new design project.
Right outside the neighborhood, I spotted Benjamin across the street, his tall frame hard to miss.
Benjamin was rocking some black casual clothes, still standing tall and thin, but his eyes had this serious, sad vibe.
Overnight, the usually cold and sharp Benjamin looked like he'd been through the wringer, filled with sadness.
Worried, I grabbed Mia's hand. She turned to me with a calm smile and softly said, "I'm fine, you go ahead."
"Don't sweat it, Jane, I'm here. Even if it kills me, I'll protect Mia," Yancy said, glaring at Benjamin like a guard dog, and acting like he was about to put his arm around Mia's shoulder.
Normally, Mia would've pushed Yancy's hand away. But today, in front of Benjamin, she just let it be.
Later, Mia told me she felt pretty low at that moment, but I didn't see it that way. Both parties were cool with it, so it wasn't despicable.
When Benjamin saw this, his eyes instantly filled with pain and embarrassment, his tall body swaying.
Even from a distance, I could see the sadness washing over him, like it was gonna swallow him whole.
I couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for him.
But no one can always stand behind someone else, and no one will always wait for a love that’s going nowhere.
Mia, with Yancy by her side, walked away, and Benjamin just stared blankly in their direction, a tear rolling down his cheek.
Seeing this, I was genuinely grateful to Yancy. Mia's successful departure right in front of Benjamin was likely due to Yancy's higher status, which made Benjamin hesitant to forcibly take Mia away.
After all, in Benjamin's eyes, family interests far outweighed love. When faced with a choice, especially when love could no longer be retained, the outcome was clear.
As for Benjamin, I both hoped he would fight to keep Mia, proving his love for her was real and fearless, showing that Mia's years of devotion weren't one-sided. On the other hand, I hoped he would let go quickly, as Mia had been hurt too deeply, and I feared his endless entanglement would rob her of the courage to start a new life.
Benjamin's love for Mia was real, but he was also truly bad.
Until today, Benjamin still hadn't given Mia the commitment she wanted. He had too many things he couldn't let go of, and in his heart, those things were more important than Mia.
So, Mia's decision to give up was the right one.
So, Benjamin's pain and torment were what he deserved.
I hesitated but ultimately couldn't bear it. I walked over, intending to talk to him, mainly to advise him to move on and leave with some dignity.
"Benjamin, as a friend, let me give you some advice. Go back and learn to cherish the people in front of you. Mia is a past you can't recover, and the woman carrying your child is your future. You’ve already hurt Mia enough; don’t do the same again."
During those years at the Northern Institute of the Arts, Brad and I got along well with our dorm mates, and I considered Benjamin a friend. His current situation was his own doing, but as a friend, seeing him so distressed, I couldn't help but offer some advice.
Moreover, only if Benjamin truly let go could Mia truly start a new life.
Benjamin was bad, but he was also a good friend.
Benjamin turned around, clasping his head, and cried out in pain. "I can't let go. I love Mia so much. For almost five years, she said countless times that she would always be with me, always love me. How could she leave me? How could she stop loving me? I am the one she loves the most; she said so."
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