Chapter 92 What Is My Score?
Finished:
“I asked him to lunch. You’re his sister–wouldn’t it look bad if you didn’t show up?” Shawn said casually on the phone.
“Send me the address,” I muttered.
He chuckled softly on the other end. “Don’t be mad Lignel’s just here for fun.”
“I’m not mad.” I hung up right after.
A moment later, Shawn texted me the restaurant address.
I stepped outside and told Noah I had something going on at noon. He looked disappointed but quickly bounced back and asked if I was free for dinner the day after tomorrow. I said yes.
By the time I got to the restaurant, Lionel was already there, chatting with a few friends. One of them a sweet–looking girl with glasses–was leaning on his shoulder, smiling like the whole world had gone soft. The chemistry between them was obvious.
“Hey, Tiffany.” Lionel jumped when he saw me at the door. “What are you doing here?”
I smiled. “Shawn invited me. He’s not here yet?”
Lionel rushed over and grabbed my arm, panic written all over his face. “Tiffany, let’s talk outside.”
We walked under the shade of a tree. I pulled my arm out of his grasp and got straight to the point. “Alright, how much did you ask Shawn for this time?”
“Not much. Just a bit of pocket change, Lionel mumbled, seeing my face darken. “Come on, don’t be mad, okay? I brought my girlfriend here for a little getaway. Didn’t want to bother you. Aren’t you needed to take care of Yuna?”
I looked at my little brother. Still a college kid, still king of innocent in his way. Found a girlfriend; probably just wants to show off a bit. I got it.
But still, he came all the way to Hanzora and didn’t reach out to me first. That stung a little.
Shawn had a unique ability to captivate people. My whole family practically worshipped him. He was polite, generous, and always put on the perfect act–who wouldn’t like him?
“The place Shawn booked for us–it’s like a paradise. Tk, tsk, it’s so beautiful, Lionel sighed, starry–eyed. “Man, rich people really know how to live.”
A weird mix of emotions stirred in my chest. Lionel was my brother and a decent guy at heart. Our parents wanted him to go into public service, and he did; he even passed the exam for a spot here in Hanzora. He worked for a few years before quitting because the pay didn’t align with his desired lifestyle. He decided to take a risk and launch a business alongside some friends. With Shawn’s help, he got into international trade and started making real money. But by his forties, he got cocky–money, power, women, you name it. He was drunk on it all.
1 had no idea how his life would turn out in this lifetime.
But seeing him now, in his early twenties, full of hope and energy–it hit me right in the heart.
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13:45 Sat, Apr 5
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Chapter 92 What Is My Score?
#Finished
I couldn’t help but pull him into a hug. Lionel looked completely stunned. A second later, he blushed and pushed me off. “Tiffany, come on. We’re adults. Don’t hug me like that. My girlfriend’s watching!”
I switched to tugging on his ear instead. “Ow! Okay, okay, I’m sorry!” he cried. “Next time I’m in town. I swear, you’ll be the first one I call. If I don’t–heck, you can punish me!”
“Forget it,” I
..“, laughing despite my anger. I let go of his ear and sighed, “Go back inside. I’ll wait here for
Shawn here.”
Lionel dashed back into the private room, grinning:
Not long after, a sleek silver Bentley pulled up, glinting under the sun.
Shawn stepped out in a plain white tee and gray pants,ooking effortlessly relaxed.
“Why are you standing out here? Waiting for me?” He asked with a smile.
A soft breeze blew across the lake behind us. I felt the moisture in the air brush against my skin. My hair lifted and danced around my waist.
I tucked a few strands behind my ear and said, “Thanks for arranging a place for Lionel. And for looking out for him.”
For a second, the look in his eyes froze, but then he smiled. “I’m his brother–in–law. It’s no big deal; you don’t have to thank me.”
“It is a big deal,” I said quietly. “I know I once told you that, as a husband, I’d only give you a 60 out of a 100. But as a man, you’d score over 90.
His eyebrows lifted. “Oh yeah?”
I nodded.
His mood suddenly turned lighter, more cheerful. He reached out and took my fingers in his. “You don’t need to be so polite with me. We’re married, remember? And since you’re grading me, do you want to know what score I’d give you?”
I paused, slowing my steps. “Probably failing.”
Shawn shook his head and said, “You did not place first in the class, but you did pass.”
I yanked my hand away. “Well, I guess I’m not your star student then. It seems someone else holds that title, right?
Shawn looked at me in puzzlement. Whatever vibe we’d just built, it vanished instantly.
