"It's our teacher's birthday banquet today. If she sees me show up without you, she'll read into it."
"No need. My ride is already here."
The car had pulled up beside us. I walked straight over, opened the door, and got in.
The moment I shut the door, Jeffrey's car shot past—so close it grazed the spot where I'd just been standing. The driver jolted in his seat and cursed out loud.
"Driving some fancy car like he owns the damn road."
"Miss, you okay?"
I shook my head calmly and said nothing. I just rolled down the window and let the breeze wash over my face.
It suddenly occurred to me—even back when he was too poor to afford an electric scooter, Jeffrey had always been like this.
Even with no parents to speak of, his blue school uniform washed so many times it had faded to near-white, and a face that seemed to resent the world itself—
None of it could stop him from being the most dazzling presence in any crowd.
Because before he became the city's most outstanding young businessman, he had been a painting prodigy who'd stunned countless people with his talent.
One year, he nearly missed an important competition because he couldn't afford the entry fee. I gritted my teeth and paid it with my living expenses, then stretched what remained to feed us both.
Until my mother found out.
She humiliated him in front of everyone on the crowded school grounds, tearing him apart until there was nothing left of his dignity.
While I was still dreaming of the trophy he'd bring home—
He turned in a blank exam paper.
And never picked up a brush again.
He started skipping class, staying out overnight, launching a business with people I'd never met.
When I asked why, he only said he wanted to give me a better life.
He was still gentle. Still attentive. But sometimes it felt like I was living through a long, silent punishment.
Later, I learned the full truth and had a massive fight with my family.
Out of guilt, I threw myself into supporting every plan he had for the future.
So when Laura first promised she'd look after Jeffrey for me outside of school, I felt nothing but gratitude.
They started having more and more in common.
At first, I stood between them, arms linked with both, laughing as I brought them closer together.
Later, they were the ones with their arms around each other, joking like old buddies, while I stood off to the side with a smile.
Unable to get a word in.