Chapter 2
“I got your favorite Pad Thai. Come on down and grab it!” he said.[]
I perked right up, threw on some clothes real quick, and rushed downstairs. []
Sure enough, Drew was waiting outside the dorm building. When he saw me coming, he held up the bag.
I practically skipped over and took it. It was for sure from my favorite Thai joint–a place that didn’t do delivery and you had to drive like an hour and a half to get to. What a pain in the butt.[]
Looking at Drew’s forehead, which was a bit sweaty, I felt all warm inside and reached out to wipe his brow. “You actually drove all the way there? Aren’t you exhausted?“]
Drew didn’t say anything, just gave me that gentle smile on his good–looking face.
“It’s no biggie. You gonna like it?“[]
“Hey, um…” he kind of trailed off, looking a bit hesitant.[]
I was in a great mood, so I didn’t think much of it. “What’s up?“[]
“That Aston Martin your friend has… d’you think I could borrow it for a bit?” Drew rubbed the back of his head, looking all awkward. “My club’s throwing a party soon. You know, there’ll be a bunch of rich kids there. I’m worried they’ll look down on me.“[]
I furrowed my brows a little bit.[]
Drew was great in many ways and treated me well, but he was just like Liv in one respect.[]
Maybe because his family wasn’t well–off, he was extremely status–conscious. Ever since he saw me driving an Aston Martin, he’d been constantly asking about the car.]
My dad never liked Drew much and forbade me from telling him about our financial situation, so I made up a story that I borrowed the car from a friend.[]
As for the apartment, I said it was a friend’s too.[]
Drew didn’t question it, since I always dressed quite plainly and rarely used luxury items. I just didn’t expect him to still be fixated on it.
I wanted to refuse, but thinking about how Drew had just driven across the city to say no.]
buy me Thai food, I couldn’t bring myself to
I hesitated, not because I cared about the car, but because I didn’t like how status–obsessed he was.
My dad owned a national chain of shopping malls, and our family fortune was in the eight to nine–figure range, but I rarely used luxury items. I believed a person’s worth came from what they earned, not from showing off.
But seeing Drew’s pleading eyes, I softened.[]
Chapter 2
He was ambitious–as soon as school started, he’d worked his way into the investment club, which was indeed full of rich kids. His thinking made sense.
After considering it, I agreed and pulled the car keys from my bag. “Here.”
Drew’s eyes lit up instantly!]
He took the keys with both hands, like he was getting hold of some super valuable treasure. He was so stoked that he couldn’t even say anything more. He quickly pecked me on the cheek and then turned to head out.[]
I stopped him. “You’re leaving just like that?“]
Drew was clearly antsy. “I’m gonna take it for a quick drive! I don’t wanna look like a loser tomorrow!“]
I thought that made sense, so I grabbed my Pad Thai and went back upstairs.]]
There was way too much for me to eat by myself, so I asked my roommates to join in. Everyone was happy to, except Liv. She just gave my Pad Thai a look of disgust and said:]
“Maddie, is that all your boyfriend got you?… That’s so cheap.”
“Look, you can’t stick with a guy who’s so stingy. My boyfriend’s taking me to a Michelin–starred restaurant tonight.”
Nobody really gave a hoot about what she was eating or where she was going. And to be honest, I liked Thai food way more than most of the stuff at Michelin–starred restaurants.
After trying out a bunch of fancy restaurants, I realized I still loved Thai food, pizza, and other street food the best.
I forced a smile. “That’s really something. Really something.” Then I picked up my fork, ready to dig into my yummy food.
Liv must have felt my reaction didn’t satisfy her because she glared at me, pulled out a fake Hermès from her cabinet, and stomped out in high heels.]
Before leaving, she spat. “Pearls before swine!“]]
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