Chapter 158


    Matilda had one of those dreams thatsted an eternity, the kind that clings to your eyelids even as you


    pry them open to the morning light. That morning, she awoke with a start to find the sun high in the sky,


    nearly noon. Gasping for breath as if to shake off the remnants of the dream world, she finally felt


    anchored back into reality.


    She fixed her hair into a fresh style and shot quick texts to Criss and Chloe. Today felt like a new


    chapter–she had shed her past pains and, with them, her vulnerabilities.


    She wondered if Yvan was satisfied with this oue. After all, everything had yed out exactly as


    he wanted, hadn’t it?


    Criss responded almost immediately, suggesting they grab lunch together. Matilda dolled herself up


    and stepped out, a bounce in her step, to meet him at the bustling shopping center.


    Half an hourter, they found each other at the grand entrance.


    Criss was decked out in a sharp suit, looking every bit the part of a suave gentleman. Matilda couldn’t


    help but grin at the sight. “Dressed like you’re on a date, huh?”


    Criss wrapped an arm around her neck with a yful swagger. “Aren’t you my biggest frenemy?


    Always forgetting me for the good times, but the first to call when there’s trouble.”


    After a few teasing apologies from Matilda, they linked arms and strolled into the mall like besties on a


    spree. They flitted from one boutique to the next, and soon, both were toting a couple of shopping bags


    each.


    “Dumping that jerk should call for a celebratory meal, don’t you think?” Criss quipped with a smile.


    “Let’s invite Chloe over to join us.”


    “I messaged Chloe, but no clue why she hasn’t replied,” Matilda said, checking her phone again and


    murmuring about it being odd before refocusing. “Let’s just go eat, and she can cab over when she


    gets back to me.”


    “Sounds like a n.” Criss picked out a trendy bistro and led the way inside. His features drew


    admiring nces from the staff, who whispered to each other about how “adorably in love” the pair


    seemed.


    They settled into the private booth, and Criss casually hooked a stool with his foot to prop his long legs


    up, abandoning any pretense of the polished celebrity demeanor for one that screamed nouveau riche–


    only a cigar in the mouth would havepleted the picture.


    With a roguish glint in his eye, he drawled, “Order for me, darling.”


    “You’re such a pig,” Matilda teased with augh. “I heard someone saying how handsome you


    are when we walked in.”


    Thatment sent Criss‘ ego sky–high, and he hummed with satisfaction. “We mixed–race folks are


    just naturally good–looking. Like that Adrian guy. He’s pretty sharp, too.”


    1/2


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    10:51


    Chapter 150


    “Why bring him up?” Matilda made a face. “I’ve cut ties with all of them.”


    “Oh, really?” Criss raised an eyebrow yfully. “In that case, maybe I’ll go sleep with Yvan tor get back


    at him for you.”


    “Do whatever you want, but don’t make it about revenge for me.” Matilda rolled her eyes. “What’s there


    to like about a scumbag like that? A fresh young thing would be far better.”


    “Now you’re lecturing me?” Criss fished out a cigarette, lit it like he owned the ce, and squinted at


    the menu. “You should thank your lucky stars for having a gay best friend like me. Look at me,


    shopping with you through your break–up blues.”


    Break–up blues? That notion sent Matilda into a fit of giggles.


    “I stopped loving Yvan five years ago.”