Chapter 21

Jolie was dumbfounded. What on earth was Lucian going on about? Why did everything sound so ambiguous?

“Did you skip breakfast?” Julie asked.

“Min—”

“Then you should eat something now. No need to wait for me.”

“It’s fine. I’m not familiar with the area around the company. As you know, I just came back to the country and don’t have many friends.”

“You have tons of friends! They could practically fill up a stadium. And now you’re saying you have no friends?” Julie called him out directly. Lucian was silent for a moment before replying, “Go eat with your friends. They’re more important.”

Without waiting for a response, he ended the call.

Julie stared at her phone in confusion.

“Jules, who was that?” Amaya asked, curious.

Julie slipped her phone into her bag and casually replied, “A friend.”

She then sat back down.

Amaya leaned in, whispering, “Jules, don’t leave yet! I made a promise to Zachary.”

Julie sighed and gave a soft response.

Amaya immediately said, “Well, I’ll go with my boyfriend now. I won’t disturb your meal.”

Before Julie could reply, Amaya grabbed her boyfriend and dashed out of the room.

Julie let out another helpless sigh. She really didn’t want to deal with Zachary, but it seemed unavoidable this time.

Zachary, who had been standing nearby, noticed her expression. He half-jokingly said, “You really don’t want to see me?”

Julie snapped out of her thoughts and waved her hand. “No, there’s just something else going on.”

He smiled, his gaze softening as he glanced at her. “Jules, how long has it been since we last saw each other?”

Julie thought for a moment. “More than two years.”

“Two years already,” Zachary mumbled to himself.

She smiled awkwardly and quickly changed the subject. “How have you been these past two years?”

He shook his head. “Not great, but I’m back now!”

He paused momentarily, then asked, “By the way, is it true what they’re saying about you and Zayn?”

She hesitated, then nodded.

Zachary sighed. “I can tell you really care about him. It’s Zayn who doesn’t know how to appreciate—”

“Appreciate what? It’s all in the past now. He’s dating someone new.”

With that, she grabbed the menu and began to order.

Zachary observed her choices and asked, “I thought you used to love spicy foods. Why are you going for mild flavors now?”

Julie smiled faintly. “My stomach isn’t great, so I need to eat something lighter.”

His concern was evident as he asked, “What happened? Do you have stomach problems?”

“Something like that,” she replied, handing him the menu. “Take a look and order what you want. The food here is pretty good. Amaya and I come often.”

“You order for me. I’m fine with anything. I don’t have any special dietary needs.”

Julie paused for a moment before nodding. After placing the order, they chatted casually.

“Julie, I feel like you’ve changed so much these past two years,” Zachary said suddenly.

She smiled. “I must’ve changed a bit.”

“You’ve become even more beautiful. If I hadn’t gone abroad back then, do you think you and I would’ve—”

Before he could finish, Julie interrupted, “No.”

Zachary chuckled bitterly. “Some things never change, huh? You never give me a chance.”

“Zachary, you know how I am.”

He didn’t give up.

“What about Zayn? You still haven’t gotten over him, have you?”

Julie shook her head but didn’t respond.