Lynn paused at the sight of me, then stuck out her tongue at Lorenzo playfully.
"Sorry, I forgot to knock again," she said.
Lorenzo smiled fondly, patting her head. "It's fine, but what's up this time?"
"It's lunchtime," she replied. "I heard of a good French restaurant. Will you take me there?"
He agreed without hesitation, forgetting I still had unsaid words.
Before leaving, he suddenly turned back. "Stella, it's noon. Wanna join us for lunch?"
I paused, dazed, trying to recall when we had lunch together the last time.
Ever since Lynn showed up, it felt like his world revolved around her.
I snapped out of it and declined, "It's fine. You two go ahead."
It was time to end things with him.
After leaving the company, I walked straight to the parking lot.
Once I got in the car, I checked my phone and realized I had been crying without noticing.
Wiping my tears away quickly, I took a deep breath and called home.
"Sweetie, what's up? Why are you calling me out of the blue?" asked my mother.
I held back the sobs in my voice. "Mom, I've decided. I'm ready for an arranged marriage anytime."
"Really?" Deborah Mason's voice was filled with surprise.
But then, she sighed, "I know you've been with Lorenzo for seven years, but he's never wanted to marry you. We don't have forever to wait. When youth is gone, he won't want you anymore."
She paused, then gently advised me, "But still, I hope you're not acting out of impulse. Marriage is a big deal. Don't rush into it."
I couldn't hold back my tears. "Mom, I understand. I'm not rushing. I'll listen to you this time."
The call ended, and it took me a while to calm down.
I touched up my makeup and drove off.
The pinned location turned out to be a French restaurant, and I frowned, hoping I wouldn't meet those I didn't want to see.
As soon as I entered the lobby, Lynn's voice came from behind me.
She looked at me with a smug smile. "Stella, what a small world! You're here, too. Lorenzo invited you, but you turned him down. Now you're secretly following us, huh? You're not doing this on purpose to make Lorenzo uncomfortable, are you?"
I remained silent, not interested in her game.
Just as I frowned, my phone buzzed.
On the screen was the number of the private room. Coincidentally, it was right next to where Lorenzo was.
"Stella Mason!" Lynn called out, jogging to block my way. "These days, the company has been preparing for the IPO. Lorenzo has been so busy. Can you stop bothering him? Let him have some peace."
She rambled on, "And aren't you over thirty already? Most people at your age are married with kids. Instead of bothering Lorenzo all the time, why not think about how you're going to live the rest of your life?"
I'd be a fool if I couldn't tell she was provoking me.
I stopped in my tracks, my gaze calm but with a hint of disdain. "Is this how you speak to company leaders? Even if I'm no longer working at the company, I'm still a shareholder. Who are you to talk to me like that? Besides, this is between me and Lorenzo. When did it become your business?"
