Chapter 61


    Chapter 61


    After dinner, Ste was still raring to go, dragging Barbara, Alicia, and me to a bar. She dered that


    she’d forever be a bachelorette, with bars and nightclubs as her second home


    “Hey, they’re just men, right? Look around, they’re everywhere.” She swirled her drink and casually


    gestured with her chin to all the mening and going


    in the bar


    If I had Ste’s carefree attitude towards men, I wouldn’t have had trouble sleeping and experiencing


    nightmaresst night. I dreamt of my wedding day with Neil, except my face was reced with


    Bonnie’s, and Neil was all gentle and tender with “me“. His gaze was enough to drown in


    What else could that be if not a nightmare? Just thinking about it made me sick.


    “Rena, your dance at the barst time was super sexy. Are you going to dance again tonight?” Barbara


    suddenly smiled heartily.


    “And didn’t Neil take you home afterward?” Ste chimed in, her eyes sparkling. “Men are so conflicted.


    They always think the grass is greener, but once they divorce their wives, they realize they had it


    good.”


    Alicia, however, had a different focus. “Wasn’t the girl that day the college student Neil’s been chasing?


    She seemed so innocent. Isn’t innocence what everyone is after these days? She fits the bill.”


    I didn’t know what happened after Neil and I left the bar that night. All I knew was that Bonnie kept


    ringing and texting Neil.


    Ste sneered, “If someone’s character is rotten, nothing else matters. She didn’t set her boundaries


    with a married man and even drank with him at a bar. She’s nothing but a skank.”


    “You shouldn’t say that,” I took a sip of my drink and gave a bitter smile. “Don’t you know what kind of


    guy Neil is? Bonnie is just a college girl from a normal family. She can’t resist him.”


    Ste put her ss down and took my face in her hands as she said with widened eyes. “Rena, how


    could you defend a home–wrecker? Whether she’s forced or willing, it’s just immoral!”


    Alicia added, “Exactly, we should be lenient with ourselves and strict with others.”


    Their words made meugh. They didn’t understand my mentality. For things that were destined, I


    didn’t want to fuss or resist too much, because it would only harm my physical and mental health, and


    make me leave this world prematurely.


    Just as we were chatting and drinking, a familiar voice suddenly appeared from behind. “What would


    you like to drink? It’s on me.”


    We all turned around and saw Mitch, dressed like a peacock, propped against the bar and trying to pick


    up a woman with his deep voice.


    “Why don’t you join me for a drink.” The woman, an obvious pro at picking up men, cooed sugg


    “I won’t be responsible if you get drunk.” Mitch hadn’t noticed us yet and was still focused on the


    “If I get drunk… just find me a ce to sleep, okay?” The womanughed flirtatiously.


    Man.


    Just as they were about to enjoy their night, Ste suddenly shouted, “Mitch! You just got your


    ED


    you’re already out partying? Didn’t your


    he


    looked around for who was using him. When he saw


    doctor tell you no sex for three months?!”


    The shout startled Mitch se much he almost dropped his ss. His face turned livid Ste, his anger


    turned to fear.


    The woman gave Mitch a dubious and scornful look. After a nce at Mitch, she scoffed and turned to


    leave.


    Barbara, Alicia, and I couldn’t helpughing. Ste was hrious.


    Despite his fear, Mitch came over and pointed at Ste angrily. “Stop spreading rumors, you’re ruining


    my reputation!”


    “Mitch, do you remember how I said I’d always give you a hard time whenever I see you?” Ste stood


    up, looking formidable despite being shorter than Mitch.


    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    Mitch stumbled back, stuttering, “Why.,.why do you want to give me a hard time? I didn’t do anything to


    you…”


    Ste lifted her hand as if to hit him. Mitch quickly shielded his head, “Try to hit me and see. Don’t think


    I won’t fight back. I can have my dad talk to your dad, and introduce you to-”


    He abruptly stopped, seemingly realizing he’d said something wrong. Sure enough, Ste’s face


    darkened. She grabbed Mitch’s cor, “Are you saying that man was introduced by your dad?!”


    “It’s all because you always pick on me!” Mitch defended himself.


    “You’re done!” Ste was furious. She started hitting Mitch, who ran away in fear. Cooper appeared just


    in time to stand in front of her.


    Since both Mitch and Cooper were at Rosemont, it meant only Neil and Bonnie had gone to another


    city. My heart sank.


    “Ladies! Ste! Calm down, Mitch is still young and speaks without thinking, don’t mind him.” Cooper


    tried to mediate,


    “And what if Rena’s dad introduces you to a 300–pound widow to be your wife, what would you do?”


    Ste confronted Cooper.


    He nced at me, apparently having imagined the scenario, and immediately dered he’d fight me to


    the death!


    Ste pointed to Mitch behind him, “Then get out of my way. I’m going to give him a hard time today.”


    Cooper actually stepped aside. Without any protection, Mitch ran away, and Ste chased after him.


    The two started a game of tag in the noisy bar.


    Half an hourter, Ste came back, her face full of satisfaction, obviously having vented out her


    frustrations.


    I’d had enough of this drama, and went to the restroom. When I came out, a man blocked my way. He


    had a refined demeanor and was wearing sses. He asked me softly, “Hi, may I have the pleasure of


    joining you for a drink? I know it may seem forward, but I’ve been watching you.”


    12:21


    Was he hitting on me?


    Honestly, I was nning to turn him down, but surprisingly, I found myself drawn to this guy’s voice and


    charm. He seemed to be around my age, and I thought having a drink and a chat with him might not be


    too bad.


    “Sure,” I smiled gently, and took a seat next to him.


    Ste caught sight of what was happening on my end, and sent me a flirtatious wink, along with an


    encouraging thumbs up. I shifted my gaze as the guy started to introduce himself, “I’m Gat, and you


    are?”


    “Just call me Ms. Finch,” I wasn’t too keen on sharing my full name with a stranger.


    “Ms. Finch, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Gat shed a brilliant smile.


    We sipped our drinks and made small talk. There wasn’t much to discuss, especially in a setting like


    this. Most sessful pick–ups usually turned to talk about sex after a few exchanges, but Gat was


    a ss act. He hadn’t said anything to make me feel ufortable.


    Gat suddenly asked, “Are you single?”


    I was taken aback, my mind started to ponder, what was my husband Neil doing at this moment? Was


    he out shopping with Bonnie, or were they getting cozy in bed?