Chapter 73 Competition
The botanical garden was stunning. Even though it was early autumn, flowers were still blooming, especially that long rose arbor, which reminded me of the one at the Northern Institute of the Arts.
Looking at the arbor, I remembered that night when Brad carried me, and we strolled through it.
I took out my phone, snapped a few pictures of the arbor, and sent them to Brad. [Brad, look, this is our arbor.]
After sending the photos, I stayed on the chat screen. Brad hadn't replied to my messages since yesterday, and it felt like something was missing. Seeing his reply now almost brought tears to my eyes.
Brad: [Have you thought about going back to the Northern Institute of the Arts for grad school?]
I was surprised. I had thought about it, but I heard transferring schools across states was tough. [I have thought about it, but isn't it very hard?]
Brad: [If you really want to come back, let me know. I'll figure it out. I have a meeting now, so I'll hang up. Message me if you need anything.]
Brad finally responded. I happily turned off my phone and put it back in my bag.
"What were you talking about that made you so happy?" Louis, ever the gentleman, had kept a polite distance while I was messaging Brad, even though he was curious.
"Chatting with Brad," I replied.
Louis frowned, "That Brad again?"
"Yes," I said.
Louis smiled slightly, waved over a staff member wearing white gloves, and took us to pick out lilies. He said lilies had a good meaning and wanted to give me a bouquet.
I quickly refused, "Please don't. Let the flowers stay on their branches. Mindy is allergic to pollen. I had to stash yesterday's roses in the hot water room. No matter how beautiful the flowers are, I can only hold them for a while before they have to go. It's such a waste."
"Mindy is allergic to pollen? Who told you that?" Louis was surprised.
"She said it herself. Yesterday, when I brought the flowers back, she was so disdainful, covering her nose and staying far away. I was afraid something might happen, so I had to get rid of the flowers. So, Louis, please don't give me flowers anymore. It's a waste."
For the next few days, Louis came to see me twice a day, at noon and in the evening, without fail. Sometimes he took me to meet his friends, but most of the time, it was just the two of us shopping and eating.
Several times, he took me to those ridiculously expensive luxury stores, wanting to buy me bags, jewelry, and beautiful clothes that cost five figures, but I refused them all.
Once, it was drizzling, and I caught a slight cold after getting wet. He wanted to give me a car. Before he could finish his sentence, his assistant had already driven the car over, clearly prepared in advance. The car was light blue, delicate, and very expensive, and it was also the kind every girl would like. I politely declined without even touching it.
Louis couldn't understand this. To him, every girl would like these things, but I was an exception.
Actually, I was puzzled too. I could accept food and gifts from Brad without hesitation. But when it came to Louis, I felt nothing but resistance. How strange.
Girls do like beautiful clothes and jewelry, but only if they can afford them themselves. Relying solely on others could make someone lose herself, and I didn't want to become materialistic. Besides, I wanted to buy what I wanted with my own money, not depending on others.
I wanted to fall in love, but it had nothing to do with money or power. I just wanted to like someone.
At another gathering with friends, I was a bit late because of school stuff. When I got to the club, the table was already full, and the room was filled with laughter.
When I opened the door, there was only one seat left. And to my surprise, I saw Mindy.
One seat, but two people arrived. I didn't know if it was intentional or if I was never part of their plan.
Either way, it was awkward.
"Louis, you're late. As usual, you owe us a round of drinks," Howard said, glancing at me arrogantly with a smug smile.
Louis's face darkened, and he threw his car keys on the table with a thud, freezing Howard's smile.
Mindy turned her head to look at us. Her gaze was complicated, filled with anger, resentment, and an inexplicable hatred.
'She hated me?' I was puzzled.
"Why is there only one seat?" Louis asked calmly.
His face was stern, his eyes deep, and his slightly furrowed brows showed he was very angry.
Mindy explained, "Louis, I'm sorry. I originally said I wouldn't come, but..."
Howard chimed in, "Mindy, why are you apologizing? You're part of the group. We've grown up together; that's a bond. We can't push you out just because there's someone new. You'll always be my Mindy; no one can replace you." Howard stubbornly stood up for Mindy under Louis's pressure.
Howard's eyes, which should have been clear, were filled with suppressed emotions.
'He liked Mindy?' I thought.
"Oh? Someone new? Who's new, and who has been pushed out? Howard, care to explain?" Louis squinted his eyes, exuding a cold anger that was intimidating.
Howard's face turned pale. He opened his mouth a few times as if to say something but ultimately couldn't withstand Louis's cold demeanor and lowered his head, not daring to speak again.
Seeing this, the people at the table quickly called the waiter to add a chair, saying they were too engrossed in chatting and didn't notice, repeatedly apologizing.
The waiter responded and brought a very small and narrow chair, placing it next to the unoccupied one.
"Louis, have your guest sit down. The food is about to be served. You should drink more today. It's been hard to get you to come out lately. I didn't expect Louis to be so smitten. It's eye-opening."
At this point, what was there not to understand?
I was the extra person. They kept their circle tight to exclude me.
"Louis, I have something to do. I'll leave now. Goodbye."
There was nothing worth staying for in such a setting, and nothing I couldn't say. Wasn't it just me being the extra person? I'll leave. If it weren't for Louis, I wouldn't have come to such a gathering.
These young people, relying on their parents' protection, were arrogant and thought they were invincible, looking down on everyone.
But no matter how good their world was, I had never envied it.
I had my principles and way of life, and I'd never thought of climbing up to anyone.
This must be what they meant by "different strokes for different folks."
I turned to leave, but Louis grabbed my arm, "I'll go with you."
He held onto me, half-turned, glanced at Howard, and said coldly, "Don't invite me to such gatherings in the future."
I was about to say he didn't need to do this, but Louis, with a dark face, had already pulled me to the door.
"Jane, I want to compete with you fairly!" Mindy suddenly said to me.
I was stunned. 'Compete with me for what? I study art, while she studies business management. Is there a need for competition?'
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
