Lillian turned and spotted her cousin, Fanny, in a little cocktail dress, staring at her with open disgust.
Why was Lillian everywhere? Recently, some big-shot had visited their home, collected all of Lillian’s belongings, and even took her household registration papers.
Her mom had said they had nothing to do with Lillian anymore. Clearly, Lillian had snagged some powerful man, relying on that pretty face of hers!
Now that creep Mark was after her.
If only Lillian had just slept with Mark already! Why did she have to drag Fanny into this mess?
“Cousin!” Lillian suddenly put on a bright smile and looped her arm through Fanny’s. “You’re here for dinner too? I’ve been waiting for you a while.”
Fanny’s eyes went wide. “Who’s your-”
Lillian leaned in and whispered, “You’re here for a date, right? Want to start a scene, tearing my hair out, and look like a lunatic? You know how you act at home, Fanny. Either help me, or watch this date go down the drain.”
Fanny clenched her teeth. “What are you up to?”
Lillian shrugged. “Just help me get inside.” She glanced at the man beside Fanny with a sweet smile. “Hope you don’t mind, sir?”
The man looked momentarily taken aback, then cleared his throat and nodded. “Of course not. Are you Miss Fanny’s cousin?”
“Exactly, I’m just here to keep her company.”
With smiles and laughter, the three of them entered the restaurant, and the bodyguards backed off.
Thank goodness for Fanny-at this hour, reservations were required. While rules didn’t apply to Conrad in City N, ordinary people still had to follow them.
Inside, Lillian scanned the place, and there he was, sitting in the main dining hall. His presence practically screamed “don’t approach,” though some people nearby looked like they were working up the nerve to try.
Fanny, irritated by Lillian tagging along on her date, grew impatient. Her date, though, seemed gentlemanly enough. Lillian gave him a quick glance-he was polite and well-mannered, the type Fanny’s mom, Grace, would approve of.
Lillian kept a low profile, her eyes constantly on Conrad’s table.
A sudden commotion broke out at the door.
“It’s Pandora Brook! The award-winning actress!”
“Oh my god, it really is! Can I get a picture with her?”
There she was, dressed in a fitted mermaid gown, her makeup bright and striking as she elegantly walked in through the door and made her way over to Conrad.
Lillian’s heart sank as she watched; even Conrad had a rare smile on his face.
“Wait, it’s Pandora with Conrad? Well, yeah, only he could get the queen herself to come out for dinner.”
“Can we post about this?”
Fanny knew this date was a total bust. First, there was the stunningly beautiful Lillian, and now, on top of that, a huge star like Pandora. She felt like she was being overshadowed by these two women, making her look like a flashy peacock.
Watching others succeed effortlessly, while she herself was trying too hard and getting nothing in return, made her feel incredibly frustrated and angry.
“Miss Fanny, are you ordering?”
Fanny snapped back and gave her date a smile. She ordered something and then said softly, “Sorry, I chose a place that’s a little too lively.”
“It’s fine. I think it’s nice here. I heard you’re still in college?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, and your cousin hasn’t ordered yet? Miss Lillian?”
Fanny nudged Lillian, who turned her head, looking especially charming under the warm lights. Her date seemed stunned, unable to look away.
“Thanks, but just a glass of water for me,” Lillian said. With the situation involving her grandmother unresolved, she couldn’t focus on eating. Besides, if she did sit down and eat, Fanny would probably blow a gasket.
Seeing a server approach Conrad’s table with a bottle of wine, Lillian stood up and headed over. Fanny rolled her eyes, clearly thrilled to see her leave. Seeing her go over to Conrad with a look of disdain, she just knew it-Lillian couldn’t stand being alone and had to flirt with a few men to feel good about herself.
“Why’d your cousin leave?” her date asked.
“Who cares? We’re not close.”
“Mr. Conrad, we meet again.” Lillian walked over, flashing a perfect smile as she took the wine from the server’s hand. “Let me pour this for you. Please, just give me a chance.”
Conrad set down his fork and knife. “I don’t know you.”
With Conrad and Pandora sitting together, everyone nearby was already watching. When he said that, all eyes turned to Lillian, some shocked, others mocking.
What was this woman thinking? Desperately clinging to him like that?
But Lillian’s shameless persistence had long been forged in the fires of dealing with Conrad. She still remembered that night when she’d waited hours in the cold, drenched in spilled drinks and smashed cake, all for him to return.
Now, just pouring him a glass of wine? It was nothing. As long as she could reach her goal, she didn’t care.
“Mr. Conrad, even if you don’t know me, I’d still appreciate a chance.”
“What’s with this restaurant? Is it their job to disgust people?”
The server got the hint and immediately snapped his fingers for someone to escort Lillian out.
Fanny could’ve died from embarrassment, not daring to look at the people staring.
“Does your cousin know Conrad?”
“No way. She’s just after wealthy men; Anyway, she’s been flirting with men for ages.”
But her date suddenly got up. “Sorry, but I think we should end this date here.” With that, he walked over to Lillian’s side.
“Sorry about that-Mr. Conrad, my girlfriend made you uncomfortable, so we’ll be going now.” The man took off his jacket, draped it over Lillian’s shoulders, and gave her a gentle smile. “Let’s go.”
Lillian was baffled. What was this guy up to?
Before she knew it, he had his arm loosely around her shoulders, guiding her out of the restaurant. She couldn’t care less about Fanny’s reaction. As far as she was concerned, Fanny and her mother Grace were both terrible people who’d used her misery for their own gain. She couldn’t care less about Fanny’s feelings.
Of course, she missed seeing Conrad’s face darken as he watched her leave and the bottle he shoved off the table, smashing to pieces in his grip.
The cold breeze outside snapped her back to reality. She handed the jacket back. “Thanks, but I was only here to find Conrad. I used you guys as an excuse to get in.”
The man replied softly, “I know.”
Lillian finally took a good look at him. “So, is your blind date over?”
“I can tell you two cousins aren’t on the best terms… I’m ending this date not because of you, but because I don’t really like your cousin.”
“Sir, don’t tell me you’ve taken a liking to me?”
The man was left speechless by her question.
“As you can see, I’m a woman who’s all about money. Sorry, I like to stick close to those in power. I still have to wait for Conrad, so sorry to interrupt your date.”
“My instincts tell me you’re not like that.”
“Your instincts are completely wrong. I’ve always been accustomed to the best of everything. I can’t handle even the slightest hardship, and aside from clinging to men, I have no other skills.”
After saying that, Lillian waved him off and sat down by a flower bed, with Conrad’s car in view.
It was ironic-back then when she was with him, she’d wait for his car every day, but now that she wasn’t with him, she still had to wait. It was like going in circles, never a choice that was truly hers.