Chapter 10: He Isn’t That Bad

“Hello? Who’s this?”

“Ralda…”

The gentle voice made my heart skip a beat. It was Winston.

He sounded so sad. “You wouldn’t even answer my calls now?”

“What’s up?” I asked.

In fact, Winston and I had never officially been on a date before. And we had never promised each other anything. All that had ever existed was some indescribable feeling.

But still, I couldn’t help but feel apologetic and guilty when talking to him.

Hesitant, he asked, “Last night… Are you OK?”

Chances were, he heard my moans of pleasure last night, and of course, he knew what had happened.

I pursed my lips and said, “Yes. It’s just… what happens between adults.”

He suddenly fell silent, and all I could hear was his slightly uneven breaths. Our feelings for each other in the early days had somehow turned out to be our burden.

I wanted to hang up. “If this is all…”

“Ralda, let’s meet,” he interrupted me, his sadness palpable.

As Reynaldo’s warning echoed in my ears, I had to brace myself and turn him down. I said, “I’m sorry, but I’m not feeling well and want to go to bed early.”

He smiled bitterly, “Ralda, you don’t even wanna see me now? Maybe… nothing will ever happen between us, but at least we should talk things out. Don’t you think?”

He was right. We indeed should make something clear. Only then could I completely shatter all the hopes he held for us. But Reynaldo had clearly warned me…

“Ralda, please. I know you don’t wanna meet me alone, so I’ve invited Vonnie to join us. Think of it as catching up with your classmates from the old days. OK?”

He sounded so humble and sad, which made me even guiltier.

I sighed, “Tell me the address.”

It was a restaurant.

Stepping inside, I saw both Lavonne and Winston waiting for me.

“Ralda, you’re here. Don’t just stand there; come here and take a seat.”

Upon seeing me, Winston stood up at once and walked over.

I dodged his hand and sat next to Lavonne.

He stared at his hand for a long time; the dejection on his face made me feel bad.

Right after I sat down, Lavonne wrapped her arm around my shoulders and asked worriedly, “Why did you go back last night without telling us? Are you OK? It’s summer. What’s it with the long sleeves and high collar? Aren’t you roasting?”

When saying this, she reached out to tug at my collar.

I quickly held her hand down and smiled, “I’ve got a bit of a cold.”

Looking up, I happened to meet Winston’s complicated look. I averted my gaze awkwardly and couldn’t help but curse Reynaldo inwardly. Why did he have to leave so many hickeys on my body, my neck especially? I didn’t dare to show it in front of the others at all.

Winston stood up and fetched me some water.

Meanwhile, Lavonne grinned. “Winston, you’re as sweet to Ralda as always. You’ve always been the best to her. If you…”

“Vonnie,” I interrupted her. I needed to clarify things with them to avoid any misunderstandings.

Looking at them, I said seriously, “I’ve fallen for Reynaldo.”

“What?” Lavonne was slack-jawed.

Meanwhile, Winston stared at me while slightly clenching his fists on the table, his gaze deep.

I exhaled and said to him, “I’m sorry.”

He looked away and smiled, “No need to say that. You and I aren’t an item, and you falling for him doesn’t mean you betray me.”

I didn’t know if it was my illusion. I seemed to see a cold glint flashing across his eyes that were always so gentle. How was that possible? He had always been gentle and refined, and I had never seen him pulling a long face. He’d never have that kind of look in his eyes. It must have been my illusion.

Lavonne still had a hard time accepting it. “But why, Ralda? Why would you fall for Reynaldo? Have you forgotten how he took advantage of you? We hate him, right? How could you…”

“A lot happened during those three years when we were married. Besides, feelings change,” I said.

“If so, why did you get a divorce?” Winston suddenly stared at me intently.

My hands resting on my knees froze slightly, and I said nothing.

Furious, Lavonne said, “That jerk held a grudge. After he got rich, he got carried away and dumped Ralda.”

“Then what are you to him now?” Winston pressed, still fixing his gaze on me.

I was at a loss about how to answer his question. I couldn’t tell them the truth–that I was now Reynaldo’s lover whom he could humiliate as he pleased. If I did, given Lavonne’s temper, she’d storm into Reynaldo’s office and stab him with a knife.

I came here today to clarify things with them. But now I realized I couldn’t. Some things were too complicated to be clarified.

Suddenly, Winston said, “I came to pay your parents a visit today.”

“What?” I was surprised.

He nodded. “They were clueless about the divorce and said Reynaldo paid off your debts. Ralda, he dumped you, yet you’re still willing to be with him even without a title. Are you doing this to repay his favor?”

“I…” I stuttered.

In fact, putting aside the “lover’s contract,” this was essentially the truth.

Lavonne fumed, “If that’s the case, I bet the jerk will take the chance to torture you.”

I smiled, pretending to be at ease, “Not at all. He’s not as bad as you think.”

“Yeah, right!” she said indignantly. “If he was as good as you said, he wouldn’t have taken advantage of you back then!”

In fact, I wanted to tell her Reynaldo didn’t do anything to me back at the reunion that day. But… what was the point?

She still looked furious. “He wasn’t invited that day in the first place. Why did he show up at all? If it weren’t for him, you would have probably been with Winston and enjoyed a happy life already. It’s all his fault. He ruins your life! What a jerk!”

I smiled, patting her back, “There, there. Calm down, Vonnie. He really isn’t that bad.”

“I don’t care. I blame him! Ralda, you’re so perfect; you deserve to be with the best man in the world. He should be lucky marrying you. But after he became rich, he dumped you? I’m so pissed at him!”

The more she said, the angrier she became, and I could only comfort her. She was as fiery as ever; every time she visited my family, she’d always have a row with Quentin.

“Ralda, don’t fall for him, OK? He’s not a decent man; besides, he doesn’t love you at all. Falling for him is a big mistake. If you keep being so stubborn, you’ll be the one ending up in misery.”

“Relax. I won’t.”

Though I said so firmly, I couldn’t help but feel bitter when I thought of Kimberly. Who knew what would happen in the future?

Suddenly, Winston stared at me, his gaze obscure, “Ralda, how much do you owe him? I’ll help you pay him back.”

Before I could say a word, I heard a cold, derisive laugh next to me. “You’ll help her? In what capacity?”