Chapter 78
Talking about the past made a different kind of light sparkle in Celine’s eyes, as if she were reminiscing.
Isabella thought carefully and then shook her head at Celine. “I don’t remember.”
During high school, Isabella had been so immersed in her studies that she barely noticed the people around her,
There were only a few people she was close with; she hadn’t paid much attention to anyone el
Celine pouted, as if she had known this all along. “He liked you! He followed you throughout high school, wrote you love letters, secretly watched you, and you didn’t even notice.”
She sighed softly. “Poor chubby boy… He even recorded a song for you back then, and he could actually sing pretty well.”
Celine spoke as she took a big bite of barbecue.
Mentioning singing. Isabella thought carefully. “I kind of vaguely remember that”
But as for what he looked like, Isabella had no recollection.
She thought, “There were just too many people chasing after me back then, Isabella mused. Chubby, skinny, handsome, not- so-handsome… there were all kinds.’
Isabella placed more barbecue in front of Celine.
“You’re too thin. You need to eat more, Isabella said.
A lot of people said Isabella was thin, but she thought Celine was the one who was truly skinny.
Celine chuckled. “Alright! If my bestie is treating me, I’m definitely going to eat more!”
As she spoke, Celine’s eyes momentarily darkened with a mix of emotions. She hesitated, glancing at Bella, and asked tentatively, “Bella… have you been having some family troubles lately?”
Isabella’s hand froze mid-air, her chopsticks suspended between her fingers. She looked up at Celine and said. “What makes you ask that all of a sudden?”
Celine’s eyes flickered, and she quickly shook her head, “No… I’m just asking”
Isabella’s lips curved into a barely-there smile. She thought, ‘So, Ivana had stooped so low as to spread rumors even among our old high school classmates? That woman never ceased to amaze me.
Before Isabella could dwell on it further, Celine, unable to suppress herself, probed again. “I just think… you should cherish your family, Isabella. Having family still around is… well, it’s the greatest happiness anyone can have.”
Isabella’s lips curled slightly. “I get what you’re saying. Don’t worry about me. I’m doing just fine.”
Isabella thought, ‘Once, she would have agreed with such sentiments, But things had changed. My father had throw me into the fire pit time and again, and my own sister had tried to seduce my boyfriend, scheming behind my back. Fandy? 4 had long since stopped wanting any connection with them’
Still, airing her dirty laundry in front of others was not something Isabella was keen on. She saw no need to tell Celine more than necessary. Soon enough, Celine shifted the conversation, and the two of them resumed their light-hearted banter, eating and chatting as if the heavier topics had never been touched.
Before long, an hour had slipped by. Both girls were full and satisfied, but Celine was far from done with their night. She looked at Isabella with excitement in her eyes. “Bella, let’s go karaoke! I haven’t sung in ages.”
Isabella raised an eyebrow. “Sure, why not?”
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Chapter 78
Celite beamed, her eyes sparkling with joy. “Oh, Bella, you’re the best!”
She picked up a skewer of grilled greens from the plate and handed it to Isabella. “I know this is your favorite
Though it was just a skewer of vegetables, the grilled greens carried a faint, fragrant aroma.
Isabella took the skewer and tasted it, then smiled at Celine. “It tastes just like before.”
Celine bit into a potato chip and mumbled through her mouthful, “Of course! This place has been around forever.”
The place had been there since they were high school students.
If the food weren’t good, it wouldn’t have lasted this long.
Isabella nodded in agreement.
After a short break, Isabella paid the bill, and the two of them left the restaurarit
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They walked to the parking lot, chatting along the way. When Celine saw Isabella’s car, her eyes widened in surprise. “Bella, when did you get a new car?”
She had always known Isabella’s family was wealthy, but this… this was next level.
Isabella glanced at the car, a faint smile playing on her lips. Samuel came to mind, and she replied casually, “It was a gift from my family.”
She thought, ‘Samuel was family – more family than my own father ever had been.
Celine nodded, still a little envious. “Wow. Alright then.”
They got into the car, and Isabella drove toward the KTV. Her eyes were focused on the road ahead, but her tone was casual as she asked, “Celine, have you thought about changing jobs?”
She had some connections and wouldn’t mind recommending a few positions to Celine. Anything to help her friend avoid the grueling jobs of dishwashing and food delivery
Celine was tapping away on her phone, replying to a message. She laughed softly. “With my work experience? Jobs aren’t that easy to come by these days. The economy is rough everywhere”
Celine thought, ‘Having a stable income was already a blessing. At least I could manage to cover my mother’s medical bills, even if it meant working myself to the bone day shifts, night shifts, whatever it took. As long as my mother’s health didn’t deteriorate further. This was enough”
But Isabella didn’t know how hard things had been for Celine lately.
She had worked so hard in high school because her mother had been diagnosed with a severe heart condition. Eversince. she’d been doing everything she could to scrape together enough money to keep her mother alive.
That’s why she said to Isabella earlier that Having family around is the greatest blessing. She lived in constant fear that her mother would leave her one day.
Isabella nodded. “If you ever need anything, just let me know. As long as it’s within my power. I’ll help you”
She genuinely cherished this friendship.
Celine put her phone down and looked at Isabella, her eyes glimmering with unshed tears. “Bella, you’re so kind.”
Even though they hadn’t spent much time together since graduation, Isabella always helped her out in subtle ways. She didn’t talk about it, but Celine knew. She always knew
Seeing the tears welling up in her friend’s eyes, Isabella smiled and reached out to pinch Celine’s cheek. “Don’t forget, we’re
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Tike sisters
Celine burst out laughing through her tears and nodded, “Yeah!”
She thought. Good sisters.
The two of them continued chatting and laughing as they drove. An hour later, they arrived at the karaoke lounge.
Isabella booked a private room, and they were soon settled inside. A waiter appeared with a tray of high-end fruit platters.
The waiter placed the fruit tray down and gave a small bow. “If you need anything, just let us know.”
Celine waved him off with a smile. “Thanks, you can go now.”
The waiter bowed once more and left.
As soon as the door closed, Isabella’s lips quirked into a teasing smile. “Should we order more beer?”
Celine immediately shook her head, laughing. “No need!”
But her expression grew complicated, and Isabella noticed. She frowned slightly. “What’s up? You’ve seemed a bit on edge today. Is something bothering you?”
–
Celine coughed lightly and forced a smile. “No, no. I guess I haven’t been sleeping well lately feeling a bit out of it. Come on, let’s sit
Isabella said, “All right.”
They walked forward, but as Celine shifted slightly, Isabella suddenly caught a whiff of something fragrant in the air.
She stopped dead in her tracks, her heart skipping a beat. Her expression changed dramatically, and she looked at Celine in disbelief. “Celine, you…
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Chapter 79
