Vrie frowned and coldly asked, "Brandon, what are you doing here?"


    Brandon red at her, frustration thick in his voice. "Vrie, I should be the one asking you that. You promised me that if I stayed away from Michelle for a month, you''d forgive me. So why are you here, on a date with another man?"


    His tone dripped with jealousy, but Vrie remained unfazed.


    "I did say that," she replied calmly. "But if I remember correctly, we''re already broken up. Who I see and what I do is none of your business, is it?"


    Brandon''s face darkened. "You say we''re broken up, but I never agreed to that. We just had a fight. And if you''re seeing someone else while we''re in a rough patch, that''s not fair to us, is it?"


    Before Vrie could respond, the man across from her spoke up. "It''s fine, mister. Even if I''m just a backup for her, I''m willing."


    The words hung in the air, and the entire restaurant fell silent.


    Brandon''s anger red, and he let out augh, though it was devoid of humor. He turned to the young man, his gaze ice-cold. "Even as a backup, you''re not qualified."


    The young man didn''t flinch. He simply smiled. "Mister, I don''t think that''s for you to decide. As long as Veevee agrees, that''s all that matters."


    Brandon''s expression darkened further, a surge of frustration washing over him. It was like trying to punch a pillow-no resistance, no impact, just pure helplessness.


    The young man turned to Vrie, his eyes filled with sincerity. "Veevee, would you be willing to let me be your backup? Whether it''s a month, a year, or longer, I''ll wait. As long as you''re not married, I won''t give up."


    Vrie hesitated. Her friends had been right-youth had an undeniable charm. When someone this young, full of energy, looked at her with that kind of devotion, it was hard to resist.


    She pressed her lips together, ready to respond, when a firm grip suddenly closed around her wrist.


    Before she could react, Brandon yanked her from her seat and began dragging her toward the door.


    She barely took two steps when another hand grabbed her other wrist.


    "Mister, it looks like Veevee doesn''t want to leave with you. You should let her go," the young man said, his voice calm but firm.


    Brandon turned sharply, feeling the resistance. His gaze hardened when he saw the young man''s hand on Valerie''s wrist. If you want to keep that hand, I suggest you let go right now."


    His words cut through the air like ice.


    The young man didn''t flinch. He simply smiled. "I won''t let go unless you do first."


    Brandon inhaled deeply, trying to suppress the fury boiling inside him. He looked eyes with the young man,


    II


    speaking slowly: idging by your age and the way you dress, your family isn''t well-off, is it? Don''t make a reckless decision that could bring trouble to them-"


    "Brandon!" Vrie had reached her limit. She yanked her hand free from his grip and snapped, "I''m warning you if you do anything to him I will never forgive your  fo


    Brandon''s eyes turned red, his expression a mixture of disbelief and disappointment. "Vrie, you''d say something like that to me... for this guy?"


    Vrie''s heart tightened at the sight of his pained look. She quickly looked away, unable to meet his gaze.


    Although they were broken up, how could she stop caring about him so easily? After all, she had once truly loved him-enough to imagine a lifetime together.