Sugar Mama invited me to her birthday party.
Primarily, I suspected, to give me more
opportunities to snag her son. I agonized over
her gift for days, finally splurging on a pair of
974
1300
carnelian earrings — a whopping $500 from my precious savings. I thought I was being frugal. Then I saw Chloe’s gift. She plastered a smile on her face and linked arms with Sugar Mama, announcing, “Auntie, I’m giving you thirty million dollars!” My heart sank. Why didn’t I think of that? “Ten million for happiness, ten million for health, and ten million for joy!” With every “ten million,” Sugar Mama’s face darkened. By the end, she looked ready to explode, her
expression screaming, “Do I look joyful?” Thanks to Chloe’s extravagant gesture, my humble earrings suddenly seemed… thoughtful. I silently thanked her for being so cheap. Sugar Mama picked up the earrings and called Ethan over, praising me in front of him. “Look at Bella’s exquisite taste! These are perfect for me!” “The carnelian is…” She trailed off, unable to find any more compliments for my online purchase. She changed tactics, turning to Ethan with a pained expression. “Honey, is Chloe upset with me?” “Mom, don’t overthink it. She’s just… not great with social cues.” Chloe, who’d
<
appeared out of nowhere, chimed in, “Exactly,
Auntie. I’m great at a lot of things, but social
graces aren’t my forte. Bear with me.” Sugar
Mama’s face turned thunderous. Chloe radiated
a “Your son loves me, deal with it” vibe, and
Ethan remained silent. The perfect “I have a
girlfriend, so I forgot I have a mother” tableau.
Sugar Mama caught my eye. It was my cue. I
launched into action. “Not great with social
cues? You didn’t even bring a gift. Do you even
respect Auntie?” Chloe clung to Ethan’s arm,
pouting. “Ethan is my whole world. There’s no
room for anyone else.” Sugar Mama’s lips.
twitched. I wanted to roll my eyes. Ethan,
meanwhile, looked utterly detached. I stepped forward, taking Chloe’s hand. “Honey, your devotion is touching. But you’re just the
replacement, you know.”
“You’re just keeping the seat warm for me. Why make things so complicated?” I tilted my
chin towards Ethan, batting my eyelashes.
“Right, Ethan, honey?” My voice dripped with
<
fake sweetness. Ethan’s lips thinned, his face
impassive, but his ears turned pink. Chloe,
oblivious, shielded him like a mother hen. “What
are you so smug about? You two are over.
Maybe we started because I look like you, but
now, he loves me.” I surveyed them, hiding a
smile. “Loves you? Doesn’t look like it.” Stung,
Chloe stamped her foot. “Ethan, say
something!” “Ethan, honey, doesn’t want to talk
to you. You’re in showbiz, you should be able to
read the room.” I took a glass of wine from a
passing waiter and “accidentally” tilted it. Red
wine splashed across Chloe’s pristine white
dress. I blinked innocently. “Oops.
Butterfingers.” Furious, Chloe stomped off to
change, glancing back repeatedly as if afraid I’d
steal her boyfriend. Sugar Mama had vanished,
conveniently leaving us alone. I twirled a lock of
hair and sauntered towards Ethan. He looked
down at me. “Done playing games?” I didn’t
answer. As I reached him, I pretended to
stumble. The world spun, and a strong arm
caught my waist. I grabbed his shoulder,
<
DRGG
974
11
laughing. “My feet are slippery too, apparently.” His expression was cool, his eyes sharp. “Is this all you learned abroad?” “Of course not.” I stood on tiptoe, whispering in his ear. “I always knew how to do this. I just never bothered to use it on you.” His ears, which had just returned to their normal color, turned pink again. He remained stoic. “Amateur.” Amateur, but effective. I ignored him, grabbed a glass of juice, and took a sip before continuing. “She said we were over. But the past can become the present. Ethan, I wanted to ask… after three years, did you miss me?” He looked at me, his eyes devoid of emotion. “Not even a little.” I scoffed. “Liar.” “You’re the one who walked away. Now you’re back, playing these games.” His voice was low and cold, his
presence suddenly overwhelming. “Do you think I’m some toy you can pick up and discard whenever you feel like it, Bella?” “Of course
not.” I gave him a soft, sweet smile. “It was all
my fault. I was foolish. What will it take for you
to forgive me?” “Beg.”
