Chapter 4
I choked on my water.
Instinctively checked the calendar.
Oh right, Saturday again.
I closed my laptop, walked over to him, and stood on my tiptoes to kiss him.
Derek gripped my neck and paused.
“Wear that outfit from last time.”
…Huh?
Oh.
After four intense rounds, I was the first to tap out.
Derek rolled off me and I tried to get out of bed.
He grabbed my wrist.
“Mm?”
Derek pressed his lips together. “Sleep here.”
“It’s all wet.”
He immediately grabbed fresh sheets from the closet and made the bed.
“Not wet anymore.”
Fine then.
I lay back on the pillow as he pulled me into his arms by my shoulders.
“Mm?”
Derek muttered, “Cold.”
Whatever.
I was so exhausted I fell asleep instantly.
Little did I know, the guy next to me stayed awake watching me for most of the night.
The dream that came was incredibly long, filled with all those days I’d chased after Derek.
From day one of college, he was this incredibly brilliant figure. Crowds would gather outside the law classrooms just to catch a glimpse of him.
Derek was always aloof and never got close to anyone. The only person he seemed tight with was Nora Sullivan, a girl from his hometown.
When I set my sights on Derek, I tried to figure out if they were a couple.
Before I could get to the bottom of it, Nora went abroad by herself and Derek’s mom was diagnosed with cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is the worst kind-basically a death sentence no matter what you do..
But if you have money, you can at least suffer less.
Derek was losing sleep every night from worry, so I went to my parents and got a hundred thousand to cover his mom’s hospital bills.
Once Derek’s mom could finally rest comfortably, he came to find me and said, “Thank you.”
“Dont mention it. Just marry me and we’ll call it even.”
I was shameless about wanting him and completely brazen in my flirting.
Derek looked at me and smiled softly.
At the time, I had no idea what that complicated smile meant.
Two years later, I finally understood.
It was him giving in to reality.
t was the helplessness of selling himself.
woke up the next morning and Derek hadn’t gone to work, which was unusual.
le was setting out breakfast while talking to me.
I’m free today, so let’s go visit your parents.”
kept eating my milk without looking up. “They’re not home. They went to New York.”
Derek paused. “New York?”
Yeah, I enrolled them in an MBA program. They’re taking classes.”
What about the factory business?”
Already wrapped up.”
erek watched me quietly for a moment. “That was your idea?”
Yep. I figured keeping it going was pointless-would just drain them dry.”
fter wiping my mouth, I went to the door to put on my shoes and grabbed my purse.
I’m meeting a friend today, might be back late. See you.”
erek was about to say something but the door was already closed.
really was meeting someone-that influencer friend I mentioned, to pick her brain.
lia White was incredibly helpful, walking me through everything about starting an account, teaching me how to register, write bios, boost engagement, and
rget audiences.
ut she talked so fast I couldn’t keep up with my notes, and she was getting annoyed.
Why does your handwriting look like chicken scratch?”
grinned. “I was always a shit student! How good could my handwriting be?”
lia was laughing and about to pinch me when she suddenly froze. “Holy shit!”
followed her gaze.
lot far away, a gorgeous couple was crossing the street together. When a car sped by, the guy pulled the woman into his arms.
I was Derek and Nora Sullivan.
When did she get back? Why didn’t Derek tell me?
flash of disappointment crossed my mind, but I quickly shook it off.
Can’t get all lovesick, can’t obsess over men. That kind of thinking gets you killed!
went back to focusing on my notes. Mia went to the same college as us and knew about our whole triangle situation.
the elbowed me “Hey, your husband’s first love is back. Aren’t you worried?”
What was there to worry about? I already knew how this would end.
In three years, Derek would become a law firm partner and get back together with Nora.
The day he proposed to her, he lit up the entire city with fireworks.
The sky was dazzling and bright while I huddled in some dark corner, getting screamed at by my boss for dropping a bowl.
“You can’t even wash dishes properly! What CAN you do?”
“I’m taking 200 bucks out of your paycheck for this. Maybe that’ll teach you to stop breaking my fucking dishes.”
