I knew she wouldn’t respond right away, so I closed the chat and opened my Instagram. To my surprise, Oscar had posted a series of cool photos-one of a few sses clinking together.


    But there was one hand I recognized: it was Alvin’s. He was wearing the cheap ring I gave him.


    Seeing that ring now made me feel childish and embarrassed. It was part of a matching set; the other one was still with me. I bought it for my 18th birthday, and it cost 300 dors.


    I wore the women’s version and gave him the men’s one. He teased me about it back then.


    After that, he never wore it again. I asked him once why, and he said he was worried people wouldugh at him for wearing something so cheap.


    I understood-someone with his status probably wouldn’t wear a ring that cost a few hundred bucks. But to me, it was special. It was the first money I earned from tutoring.


    I never mentioned the ring again, and neither did he. But now, seeing it in the photos… I wondered, ‘What is that supposed to mean?’ I didn’t know, and honestly, I didn’t want to guess anymore.


    The ring stung a little, though. It reminded me of the times I used to chase after Alvin, always looking up to him, always so careful around him.


    Just then, Jasmine’s message popped up, pulling me out of my thoughts.


    Jasmine: [Who did you sleep with?]


    I stared at her message but didn’t reply. The photo of Alvin wearing the ring was still swirling in my mind.


    Jasmine: [Alvin?]


    Jasmine: [No way, it can’t be him.]


    Jasmine: [Is it Josh?]


    She knew my life and my rtionships too well-it didn’t take much for her to figure it out.


    Jasmine: [A man and a woman, nothing happens? There’s only one exnation: something’s wrong with the man.]


    I thought, ‘Is there something wrong with Josh?’ An image of his narrow waist and toned body shed in my mind, and I immediately rejected Jasmine’s theory.


    There was absolutely nothing wrong with him-it had to be me. Maybe I wasn’t attractive enough.


    Then I remembered how I couldn’t evenpare to a widow in front of Alvin, and I shook my head, no longer bothering to read Jasmine’s messages.


    “Hey, Zoe, you weren’t in bedst night. Where did you go? I texted you, and you didn’t reply,” Myra asked as soon as her rm went off. Her first question was all about me.


    I couldn’t believe she’d actually woken upst night, considering how deep a sleeper she was.


    I felt guilty and couldn’t look her in the eye. “I went for a run.”


    Myra’s eyes widened. “Running in the middle of the night? Are you punishing yourself, or is it just that your hormones are


    Chapter


    out of control? Wanting a man?”


    Her mind really worked in strange ways. “Shut up!” I shot her an exasperated look.


    “Then why on earth were you running sote?” she pressed, still confused.


    I didn’t respond. Instead, I changed the subject, saying we needed to hurry downstairs because I had found a new problem to deal with.


    Myra was a curious little thing. “Zoe, did you mess something up working overtime? You should stop working overtime if it causes problems,”


    I just sighed and didn’t answer.


    We headed downstairs to the restaurant, and as soon as we walked in, we saw Josh sitting there eating breakfast.


    “Good morning, Josh!” Myra greeted him, all bright and cheery.


    Josh gave a slight nod. “Morning.”


    I couldn’t bring myself to look at him. I tugged at Myra to pick our breakfast. She surprised me by grabbing my bag. “Zoe, I’ll eat the same as you. You choose, I’ll save us a spot.”


    Myra winked at me. Her n was obvious-she wanted to spend more time with Josh. I didn’t know how to react, but honestly, I really didn’t want to sit with Josh.


    Reluctantly, I was about to go get food when Josh spoke up, “Myra, I can save the seats for you, but you should get the food yourself.”


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