17
Over the years abroad, I’d saved a lot of money with my hard work. Before returning, I’d bought a fully furnished villa in New York.
After settling in, I called
My mother
my
parents,
briefly
mentioning
my
encounter
with
Peter,
asked
anxiously, “How
do
you
him? feel about
If
you
like
him, maybe…”
“Mom, he’s not right for me…”
I cut her off. Her tone shifted, laced with worry and urgency.“Natalie, tell me. You’re not over your ex–boyfriend, are you? Or did you have some kind of emotional trauma that prevented you from being in love?”
Her
incessant
concern
started
a
headache.
I
quickly placated
her.“I’ll
see him
again.”
After the call, I lay on my bed, my mind racing. Two minutes later, I’opened Whatsapp. Peter’s profile picture was a cherry blossom–pink and white. It was lovely and quite different from his reserved demeanor. I sent him a concise message explaining my reluctance to date.
20
He didn’t reply. I put down my phone, not thinking much of it. I assumed he felt the same way so he didn’t care about it. I dismissed it from my mind.
The next day, I went to a client’s company and ran into Peter again.
My client’s assistant smiled. “Miss Ellis, this is Mr. Peter Caffrey. You can discuss the details with him.” embarrassment. Peter and me alone. My scalp tingled with
He
I
discreetly left,
forced myself to
leaving
ask, “Mr.
ask, “Mr.
Caffrey, Caffrey, do you have any thoughts about the jewelry show?”
“I love your designs. They are excellent. Just proceed with your ideas. I’ll let you know if I have any opinion.” So, what was the point of this meeting? Only then did I know my client was Peter. Dressed in a black suit, he exuded an air of sophistication, yet he sounded surprisingly friendly.
“Don’t be nervous. We’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other.”
What did that mean?!
I
felt
even
more
embarrassed. “Mr.
Caffrey,
did
you
see
my
message
last
night?”
“Yes,” he replied, his tone even.
I felt relieved. Perhaps I was just overreacting. But then he added, “You have the right to refuse me, and I have the right to pursue you.”
My eyes widened in disbelief. He met my gaze, his expression serious, devoid of any hint of jest.
I took a deep breath, throwing caution to the wind. “Mr. Caffrey, I’m with Ethan’s ex, and you’re his friend. I don’t think this is gonna work.”
I made it so clear, yet he shook his head seriously. “He’s him, I’m me. I like you. Just because you’re his ex doesn’t mean I can’t ask you out.”
< 18
