Chapter 12: Fool

The next morning —
Monica stood in front of the mirror, silently cursing Steven for the hundredth time in her mind. When she was taking a shower last night, she had discovered marks all over her body left by him.
To her surprise, even after a night had passed, the faint red marks still adorned her fair skin, making them particularly noticeable.
She turned her back and twisted her head to look at her waist in the mirror. The words he had written yesterday had already been washed away, but the moment she thought about it, regret began to creep in.
He had actually written his own name! How could she not have thought of such a simple answer?
Last night, as when she was about to leave Steven's room, he stopped her. He reached out and touched her lower back, whispering, "We have each other's names on our bodies now."
"Huh?" She was puzzled.
"Silly girl," he affectionately and cheerfully kissed her forehead. "Go back now, goodnight."
Monica was furious. "Steven, you're the fool! How could you dare to call me names!"
With that thought in mind, she grabbed a wet towel and vigorously rubbed the spot where he had written his name last night. The fair skin quickly turned red from the force.
But the more she rubbed, the deeper the words seemed to be imprinted in her mind. The embarrassing scenes from last night kept replaying in her mind, and the slightly cool sensation of his semen still seemed to linger on her skin, making her blush even harder.
She forcefully threw the towel aside and gritted her teeth. "Steven, just you wait!"
After getting herself ready, Monica left the room and headed straight to the restaurant for breakfast. She carried her plate and saw Ryan sitting alone from a distance. She walked over and sat across from him.
"You're up early today," Ryan took a sip of his coffee. "Did you have a good time last night?"
He had no idea what had happened between Monica and Steven, and was simply asking if she was satisfied with the trip. However, his words felt like a direct jab to her.
Monica forcefully speared a piece of fruit with her fork, causing a crisp sound against the porcelain plate. "It was awful."
"Huh?" Ryan sat up straight. "What didn't meet your expectations? If it's because of the hotel's service, it's my fault as the host."
"It's not that—"
Before she could finish her sentence, a chair next to her was pulled back, and Steven calmly sat down.
Ryan looked at Steven disapprovingly. "You were the sneakiest last night, leaving so early without even getting me to drink."
Just as Steven settled down, Monica abruptly stood up, picked up her own plate, and walked over to an empty table, clearly not wanting to have anything to do with him.
Ryan looked at Monica and then at Steven. "Did you upset our lady again? She was kind enough to come check on you last night, you know."
Steven looked up at Monica and calmly said, "Maybe I'm just too wicked, and enjoy. Revenge, perhaps we are too different."
The sound of Monica poking at her plate grew even louder. Ryan watched the two of them like they were speaking in riddles, completely confused.
AfterIn a few minutes of this awkward atmosphere, Steven stood up and walked to the side to answer a phone call. At that moment, Eric leisurely strolled into the dinning area.over.
When EricMonica saw Monica sitting alone toon the side, he walked over andshe reached out, he and patted her shoulder, "Why don't you go and sit over there?" he pointed toward the table she had just moved from, oblivious to what had just happened.
"I don't want to." Monica replied in a stiff tone.
Eric glanced at Steven, who was making a phone call not too far away, he smiled knowingly, and didn't say anything. He sat down next to Ryan.
"These two are really strange." Ryan whispered to Eric in a low voice, "I can't figure out their relationship at all. If it's not right, then why did Steven defend your sister from drinking last night? And then your sister went to see him worriedly. But now, it seems like they are at war again."
Eric stirred his coffee and said, "They are just enjoying themselves. If you can't figure it out, just don't bother, it will only burden your small brain."
Ryan kicked him under the table, "Fuck you."
After finishing lunch, everyone packed up and prepared to go back. Monica had been avoiding Steven all morning but had to face him when saying goodbye.
Eric exchanged a few words with him, picked up Monica's small luggage and walked towards the back of the car. Monica didn't want to be alone with him, so she didn't say a word and bypassed him to reach for the passenger seat.
Steven turned around and, before her, placed his hand on the car door, preventing her from opening it. From behind, it looked like he was hugging her.
Monica didn't expect him to be so blatant and panicked, looking towards the back of at the car, afraid that Eric would notice. She tried to break free from his hand and whispered, "What are you doing? Let me get in the car!"
He looked down at her and said, "You left something at my place."
"What did I leave?" She subconsciously touched her coat pocket, realizing that she wasn't wearing it when she went to his room last night.
Steven evaded the question and said, "Are you going back to school tomorrow? Wait for me in the evening, I'll pick you up after work."
She reached out her hand and said, "Can't you give it to me now?"
"Not now." Steven politely declined.
The sound of the trunk closing echoed heavily.
Steven prompted her with an "Hmm?"
Monica was afraid that Eric would notice, so she hurriedly pushed him in an attempt to send him away first.
"Alright, alright, I understand. You should go quickly."
He let go and took a step back. Eric happened to come around from the back of the car, at that exact moment. Monica quickly escaped into the car, fastened her seatbelt, and calmed her breath.
She looked out the window and saw Steven still standing there.
She opened the car window a little, revealing only a pair of beautiful eyes, with a threatening gaze: “Why aren't you leaving?”
It seemed as if he was waiting for her to roll down the car window. His black eyes instantly caught her attention. His hand, which was in his pocket, was pulled out and he waved at her gently, as if bidding farewell.
He mouthed the words clearly, although Monica couldn't hear them. He said, "See you tomorrow."
"Who wants to see you tomorrow!" Monica closed the car window, feeling a bit annoyed. "I should have said I didn't want that thing just now."
"What thing?" Eric turned his head and asked.
"It's nothing." She coughed twice. "Just drive, I'll explain this afternoongo shopping with Lisa this afternoon." Monica settled in for the drive.
"Then we agreed to go shopping."
All troubles can be solved through shopping.
This was is Monica's best friend, YingtuLisa's life philosophy.
At this moment, she was dragging Monica to browse through luxury stores, swiping her card whenever she liked something. In no time, she had bought a bunch of things, even surprising Monica, prompting her to ask: "What happened to you today?"
"Not happy, just venting." YingtuLisa flicked her hair and complained to Monicaher, as if pouring out her bitterness,
"My dad really annoys me. He told me yesterday that he thinks I spend too much and will never find a husband. He can't support me forever, so he wants me to be more frugal. He even said he has already found a potential partner for me and wants me to set up a meeting with him. Is he that desperate? I'm only 25!"
YingtuLisa's father came from a poor family. He was forced to be laid off from a factory in his early years in a forceful way and often remembers the experience bitterly, but fortunately he seized the opportunity and caught the wave of development, becoming successful in business.
This is why YingtuLisa often jokes that she and Monica are different, referring to herself as the "second generation of nouveau riche."
"He's just used to suffering from when he was young, that's why he always tries to constrain me with old-fashioned thinking." YingtuLisa complained incessantly, "Sometimes it's really hard to communicate with him."
As the two chatted, they entered a jewelry store. A well-trained salesperson immediately greeted them with a standard smile, "Good afternoon, ladies."
The display case was filled with dazzling diamond jewelry. The two of them aimlessly looked around, their gaze quickly drawn to the diamond necklace worn by the mannequin in the center glass case.
"You have a good eye. This is our designer's new collection for this spring." The salesperson guided them closer,
"This full diamond necklace uses a brand newbrand-new cutting technique, and the design concept comes from the ancient Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite. It symbolizes love." The salesperson added.
"This one is beautiful." YingtuLisa exclaimed, "The symbolism is also very romantic."
"Yes, and this necklace is a limited edition globally. We don't have it in stock, so if you want it, you'll need to pre-order." The salesperson smiled, "This piece is very popular. Mr. Wright of Sterling Holdings, I don't know if you two have heard of him, he just ordered one here two weeks ago."
Steven?
Monica was startled, thinking of his figure standing outside the car before they parted at noon.
YingtuLisa glanced at the quote the salesperson handed over and clicked her tongue, "He's too extravagant." Referring to Steven’s expensive purchase.
Monica couldn't help but become curious.
If Steven bought it, he definitely wouldn't wear it himself, so he must be giving it as a gift. Who would he want to give the necklace to? She found herself wondering almost obsessively.
Could a person like him also have someone he wants to give a necklace to?
Monica began to sympathize with the girl she had never met before.
**Chapter 13: The Princess and the Dragon**