Gerald looked up. “What’s up?”“We’ve got a gathering between old friends tonight. It happens every couple of months. I’ve never mentioned it before—but since we’ve bumped into each other, this is me letting you know!“Also, Sharon will be there.” Lilian stifled a little laugh. “Come to think of it: Back in high school, you’d come first place in grades, and she’d come second. The two of you were close—in fact, you were after her, weren’t you?”Gerald didn’t reply.Sharon Leslie, an old friend from high school. It was true that they got along well back then.It was also true that Gerald had harbored feelings for her, but that had been before… all of this.Had he pursued her? He hadn’t dared.Early on, during their first year of high school, they’d chat together often. Later, even on those few occasions when he’d tried to strike up a conversation, she hadn’t replied. And so, they’d drifted apart.Three years had passed in a flash.“Tee-hee! Come on… you know, last month, Sharon’

Gerald recognized her straight away.He had met her in Homeland Kitchen just a few days ago. Jane had been scolding her—back when she still worked for them.She’d left an impression on him. Even just seeing her from the side, he had known that she was an extraordinary beauty. Seeing her again now, she’d immediately seemed familiar to him, and then he’d placed her.“You know me?” she whispered, gathering up the three children protectively.She was evidently frightened of him. What if he was involved in human trafficking?“Yes, we bumped into each other in Homeland Kitchen. Have you forgotten me?” Gerald smiled at her.The woman spent a moment in recollection, then brightened up. “Oh, it’s you, sir! Thank you for helping me out, that time!”That time, she was being scolded so hard she didn’t dare look up from the floor. It was only when she was leaving that she had stolen a brief glance at Gerald.Meeting him again now, what she recognized was his voice.He had saved her that ti

“Did anyone say you could sit here? This spot is reserved for my boyfriend! Goodness gracious… it’s one thing to have been a loser back then, but after three years of university, you still haven’t improved one bit! Go, scram, get lost!”Gerald couldn’t even remember her name anymore, and he couldn’t be bothered to pick a fight with her at the moment.That left the seat by the door, where all the food would be brought in.Realizing that this had been everyone’s intention all along, Gerald simply resigned himself to it.Actually, there was an empty spot beside Sharon, too. However, she’d left her handbag on there, indicating that she was saving the seat for somebody. Certainly, she’d made no move to offer it to him.Lilian grinned at Gerald, then turned and asked, “Sharon, when’s Murphy gonna get here?”“That guy… Hmph! Always wishy-washy about everything. Every time, he’ll say he’s almost there—but you’re still gonna have to wait a while!”Although she sounded upset, in truth her

“Sir, there’s just no way! Their food has already been served!”“You still don’t get it? Don’t you know who you’re talking to? Three minutes, that’s all I’ll give you—and if you can’t get it done for me, your manager will do it in your place. Try me!” the man blustered arrogantly.“Alright… I’ll give it a shot.” The waitress hurried inside and explained the situation.Lilian and the others would have none of it.What was the meaning of this? They had gotten here first—they had even begun eating already! Now, you come in here and say, what, switch tables? Just like that?Who do you think you are!“No way. Tell them we’re not moving!” Lilian was glaring, her temper suddenly flaring.“Oho? I’d like to see just who that is hollering in there, thinking she’s hot stuff!”The doors to the private room opened, and the other group strode right in.It was building up toward a brawl.Murphy was their champion on this side. He had nothing to fear from your run-of-the-mill rich brats—espe

At present, Mila and Gerard were in a relationship one level beyond friendship. However, Gerard had yet to pursue her in earnest—all they really did, for the most part, was chat.Mila kept joking about how Gerard was her pretend-boyfriend, giving him the impression that she had never thought about going any further with him.And yet, she was always throwing these little tantrums.Basically, their relationship status was unclear.Mila’s latest message to him: “I’m asking you a question. Why aren’t you replying? Have you been chatting with another girl these days?”Girls are sensitive creatures, able to detect the slightest change in the wind.Recently, Gerard’s behavior had become highly suspicious. Back then, he would always reply to her instantly. Nowadays, a full minute could pass without any answer.It was a disconcerting situation for Mila.Gerard didn’t want to lie to her. Anyway, there was no point.“Yup. Just chatting.” That was his reply.“Heh. You didn’t have to add