Chapter 6: Maple & Vine

6

On the way, I imagined a thousand ways to greet her.

I couldn’t let her see how much I missed her, but I didn’t want to seem indifferent either. Should I show her a bit more charm? With a nervous heart, I pushed open the private room door. As soon as the door opened halfway, I saw her.

She had cut her hair short, slightly curled and draped over her shoulders, with huge pink earrings hanging from her ears, brushing her collarbone and shoulder straps.

A strapless camisole, an ultra-short leather skirt, her calves wrapped in long boots—she was simply a sexy queen.

I stood for a second, trying to hide my surprise. I entered, about to speak, but my mood instantly plummeted.

Maple & Vine was the kind of place with sticky floors, neon beer signs, and a jukebox that never played the song you wanted. A man was sitting close to her, very young, with a handsome face and a strong build.

Natalie leaned her head close to his mouth; he was saying something, and she laughed heartily.

My heart dropped into my stomach. I wanted to laugh, or maybe throw something—anything but sit there pretending not to care. At that moment, I didn’t know whether I should stand there or not.

“You’re here?” Natalie saw me, as if I were an old classmate she hadn’t seen in years.

“Let me introduce you: this is Quentin, someone I met during the hike. This is Allen, a… good friend.”

Allen stood up and reached out to me, speaking in awkward English: “Hello, I’m Allen.”

“A foreign friend?” I asked.

“Sorry, my English isn’t perfect. I’m here from OAP—just a training stint, you know? Still figuring out the language.”

I was stunned—OAP was Lillian’s company.

My stomach clenched. I smiled and said, “I know OAP, a famous international group. I heard the executives are all young.”

Allen said excitedly, “Yes, our youngest VP isn’t even 30, and she’s a beautiful woman.”

He must be talking about Lillian. I quickly pretended to be interested and asked, “That legendary? Have you met her? What kind of beauty is she?”

Allen gave a thumbs up and said seriously, “She really is beautiful, but that’s not the most important thing. Ms. Carter is the most perfect professional woman I’ve ever seen. She’s professional, dedicated, humble, and sincere to everyone. I can say that every man who’s met Ms. Carter is captivated by her.”

I clicked my tongue in admiration, but my heart was in turmoil.

I knew Lillian was perfect, but hearing another man praise her—especially after I’d just secretly betrayed her—made me feel awful.

“There are still a few friends who haven’t arrived. Have a seat first.” Natalie pointed to the corner, then went back to sticking close to Allen. The two of them held hands, their thighs touching, and when they spoke their mouths were almost touching.

I felt ridiculous.

I couldn’t forget a one-night stand, while to her it meant nothing.

If that’s the case, why did she ask me here? Was I just a prop?

I sat in a daze, lost in thought. At some point, Natalie sat next to me.

“Did you miss me?” she breathed into my ear again.

I glanced at Allen; he was playing on his phone, seemingly unconcerned.

Could it be that everyone Natalie invited today had once had a passionate fling with her… just another plaything?

The thought stung in a way I didn’t expect. “Say something—did you miss me?” She looked at me mischievously and smiled.

I threw caution to the wind.

“I’m sure I’m not the only one who misses you, right?”

“Jealous?”

“Yeah, I’m jealous. Since you have a new flame, why did you ask me here?”

“Want to know?” Natalie picked up a beer from the table. “Drink this and I’ll take you somewhere nice.”

I took the beer and downed it in one go.

The cold fizz burned my throat, but I barely noticed. “Impressive.” Natalie suddenly kissed me on the cheek, then pulled me out and upstairs to the second floor.

The second floor was a karaoke lounge; it wasn’t singing time yet, so it was dark and quiet.

We padded across cheap carpeting, the sounds of the bar muffled below. Natalie dragged me down the hallway to the very end and pushed open a private room.

After closing the door, she threw herself into my arms, almost trembling as she said, “Kiss me.”