I returned to my old rented room. It was the one I rented when I first came to London. Back then, we were poor and the two of us squeezed into the narrow bed; even a slight turn would cause it to creak.
Later, I often felt I owed Daniel. The top movie star’s first time happened in such a cramped spot.
“Young lady, where’s your handsome boyfriend?”
I looked up at the noodle soup shop owner, slowly processing what she said.
“If I remember correctly, you two always order beef noodle soup. You eat the meat and your boyfriend just eats the noodles.”
It was so long ago that I couldn’t even remember the last time Daniel and I had eaten together.
“In the middle of the night, your boyfriend doesn’t feel comfortable letting a young girl like you out alone?”
I gave an awkward smile. “Oh, he is busy now.”
“After all these years, he must be your husband by now, right? You two are such a perfect match, handsome man and beautiful woman! Still two bowls of beef noodle soup?”
I curled my fingers. “Just one bowl... no, two. My hubby will be here soon.”
While waiting for the soup, I scrolled through my phone. In just a few moments, Daniel and Emily hit the trending list five times.
Their love was loud and proud, yet always dignified.
I skipped the hateful comments directed at me, staring blankly at Emily’s social feed instead.
Daniel had made her beef soup. The bowl was piled high with beef.
[Daniel said that girls should eat meat to replenish their blood and energy during their periods; you really don’t need to teach your lover.]
The comments section was filled with envy over Emily marrying such a good husband. Some even tagged me specifically.
[You can snatch a diamond ring, but you can’t snatch true love.]
That incident caused quite a stir.
To vent his anger at Emily, Daniel specifically used his connections to expose my dirty secrets.
That person had warned me. “Sorry, Felicia. The movie star is serious this time. I had no choice.”
I didn’t say much after hearing that, just smoked a cigarette.
The habit of smoking was cultivated through endless rounds of drinking. Daniel has high standards, so choosing scripts for him isn’t easy.
I worked hard at it. I could drink and smoke like a pro.
That’s when I built my connections and that’s when I developed my menstrual cramps.
Clutching my stomach, I called Daniel, “Have you finished comforting her?”
“Come join me for a bowl of beef noodle soup, okay?”
Daniel paused for a while and said, “Felicia, I don’t like beef noodle soup anymore.”
“I’m too exhausted today. I’ll make it up to you another day, okay/”
The call ended. I stared blankly for who knows how long until Emily posted another live photo. Daniel was eating her leftovers, looking helpless but indulgent.
[A husband eating his wife’s leftovers is the only natural thing.]
I looked at the two now-cold bowls of noodle soup and suddenly felt my stomach twist in pain.
The pain was so intense that I rushed to the pharmacy for medicine. But then, I bumped into Daniel buying condoms.
In that instant, I couldn’t describe my feelings. I just felt like all the blood in my body had turned cold.
My phone vibrated. It was the investor, ecstatic.
He asked me, “Are you really going to withdraw your investment from Brottier Entertainment and join us? Are you truly willing to give up Daniel Brottier?”
“Daniel’s cash-cow days are over, so I need a new one.”
I suddenly stopped.
“Daniel, don’t do this here.”
I looked in the direction of the voice. Inside the Ferrari, two figures were entangled. I paused for a moment, then grabbed a wooden stick and walked over.
