Chapter 3

3.

That weekend, there was a college reunion.

I hadn't planned on going, but I was curious. I wanted to see what kind of girl could keep Clint's heart captive for all these years.

The VIP room at the lounge was already packed when we arrived.

Clint's friend, Jared, immediately threw an arm around his neck. "Finally! Look who showed up. Cecilia's back, man. Your long wait is finally over..."

Clint looked panicked. He shoved Jared off. "Don't talk nonsense."

"Nonsense? Everyone in our class knows how you feel about her. It's written all over your face."

Jared finally noticed me standing behind Clint.

He blinked, his smile faltering. "And this is...?"

Clint looked incredibly awkward. "This is my girlfriend."

Jared was stunned. "Girlfriend? You have a girlfriend? Since when? Wait, haven't you been waiting for Cecilia all this time? Why the sudden change?"

Clint's face turned a sickly shade of pale.

At that moment, a stunningly beautiful woman stepped out from the crowd. "Who has a girlfriend?"

Jared waved her over. "Cecilia, get over here! Clint says he has a girlfriend, but I'm not buying it."

The girl Clint had obsessed over for years finally stood before me.

I had seen her photos, but seeing her in person was different.

She was radiant. She had the kind of beauty that commanded the entire room.

No wonder Clint couldn't let go.

Cecilia looked me up and down. Her gaze was filled with skepticism and a clear, sharp hostility. "Clint, is she really your girlfriend?"

Clint opened his mouth, his throat working hard as he tried to find his voice. "She..."

I forced a small smile. "I'm just here to look for something. I left an earring in this room earlier today."

Clint looked at me, his eyes wide with shock.

I knew he was staring, but I refused to meet his eyes.

I stared at the tips of my shoes instead.

"What did you lose?" Jared asked.

"...An earring," I lied.

Jared shrugged. "The staff cleaned the place before we got here. We didn't see anything. Maybe check the lost and found?"

I nodded. "Thanks. I'll do that."

I turned and walked away, my pace quickening with every step.

Behind me, I could hear Jared laughing and teasing Clint. "You just said she was your girlfriend to make Cecilia jealous, didn't you? That poor girl was just looking for her stuff and you used her like that. Cold, man."

Then, he turned his attention back to Cecilia. "See? You've driven the guy crazy. After all these years, you should finally give Clint a title."

Cecilia's voice had lost its edge. It was light and playful again. "Clint and I are just best friends. Stop trying to play matchmaker."

Best friends?

I couldn't help but stop and look back.

Clint was staring at her with a look of pure adoration.

But when she said the words "best friends," the light in his eyes instantly dimmed.

He gave a hollow laugh, playing along. "Yeah, you guys got it wrong. Cecilia and I are just best friends."