Chapter 4

He leaned back in a rattan chair.

I stood, refusing to sit.

"Eat something first, or the doggy bag won't fit it all."

I finally felt something was off and quietly asked,

"Mr. Julian, did you see my messages?"

He looked at me calmly, nonchalantly.

"What messages? I don't have time to stare at your chat box all day."

I still didn't move.

He became impatient. "Are you going to eat or not?"

I looked down. These were all my favorite dishes.

My stomach was rumbling.

I reached for a skewer and took a bite. It was so spicy that tears immediately welled up.

"Cough, cough."

"Not good?"

He looked me over, a brazen stare.

"Oh, I forgot. This is *my* favorite flavor."

"I used to always eat mild flavors because of you. This time, you can put up with it, right?"

I remained silent, dipping the skewer in my water glass.

It was still spicy, but the seafood was incredibly fresh, the meat tender.

He narrowed his eyes, watching me for a moment, then raised a hand to call the waiter.

"Bring everything on this table again, but not spicy."

He paused.

"And a strawberry mousse."

I pulled out a wet wipe and slowly said,

"No need. I want to go home."

Julian raised an eyebrow. "What, already feeling sorry for yourself?"

It wasn't that bad, but my stomach burned from the spice, and that burning sensation slowly spread to my chest.

It was just uncomfortable.

I wanted to go home immediately, too lazy to even bother with a doggy bag.

He stood up too, pushing away the plates.

Casually, he said, "Alright, let's go. I'll drive you."

I opened my mouth.

As if guessing my next refusal,

He added,

"This is Seagrove. It's ten miles away."

"And you have no sense of direction. Want to walk until dawn?"

Julian naturally took my hand.

I tried to pull away uncomfortably, but he held on tighter, as usual.

Unable to break free, I gave up.

As we were leaving,

I took out my phone, intending to take a picture to share this gem of a restaurant with Maya, when Julian, who had been staring blankly, suddenly reached out.

He smacked my phone right out of my hand.

"Don't take pictures!"

His voice was loud, instantly drawing the attention of everyone nearby.

All eyes were on us.

He said coldly, "If *she* sees that photo, I have ways to ruin you."

I froze, then processed it a moment later.

My phone lay on the ground, the screen shattered.

I bent down to pick it up, wiping off the dust.

It was a shame; it was a brand-new phone.

I slowly said,

"I wasn't trying to take a picture *with* you, and I certainly wasn't going to post it online."

"I just thought this place was pretty good, and I wanted to come back with my friends sometime."

4

Julian's eyes flashed with a hint of guilt, which then quickly turned to cold indifference.

He pursed his lips. "I'll buy you a new phone."

"Yours was old anyway, from last year."