Chapter 2

As Kai spoke, the chatter died down. The waiter added an extra seat, and Gareth and I sat closely together. Once seated, I began introducing Gareth to everyone at the table.

Tonight was supposed to revolve around me, but everyone was now completely fixated on Gareth.

Gareth had been studying in France since middle school. He’s naturally outgoing and sociable, so I wasn’t worried about him being out of place.

The girl with the long straight hair teased me, "Sue, you really kept this one under wraps, didn't you? Secretly got yourself a new boyfriend."

Her words carried a bit of edge, and I saw some people’s eyes dart between me, Kai, and Evelyn with curiosity. I smiled softly and said, "Well, life is all about moving forward, isn't it?"

Over on the other side, Evelyn shyly leaned closer to Kai.

"What's wrong?" Kai asked, genuinely concerned.

"Just a bit tired from filming a late-night scene last night..." Evelyn said, trying to muster a smile, "I'll be fine. I'll just take a nap in the car later."

Kai's concern was palpable, "Eat something and I'll take you home to rest."

He urged everyone, "Let's order some food."

Someone teased, "Mr. Dawson is such a doting boyfriend."

"With a girlfriend as beautiful as Evelyn, who wouldn't be?"

Evelyn bashfully hid her face in Kai’s shoulder, "Stop teasing me..."

I could feel some probing eyes on me, waiting for my reaction. Inside, a mix of bitterness and sadness churned, but I didn't let it show. It stung to see my longtime boyfriend with someone who was essentially my replacement, flaunting their affection right in front of me. The feeling of being outdone by a knockoff version was humiliating.

"Doting boyfriend? Really?" I thought to myself.

The deep affection he once showed me could transfer so easily to someone else. I couldn’t tell if that was my tragedy or his.

Finn politely offered me the menu, spinning it on the lazy Susan toward me. Trying to keep my composure, I said graciously, "I’m not familiar with this restaurant. Why don’t you all order what you like? This meal is on me, so go ahead and pick anything."

Kai replied indifferently, "This place is members-only. I'll cover it through my membership."

I smiled politely, "Thank you, Mr. Dawson. Let’s have me host next time."

Gareth, without hesitation, picked up the menu and whispered in my ear, "Sue, what’s this chicken dish with sea cucumber?"

"It’s a beauty-boosting dish. Want to try it?"

"I’d like to."

He kept pointing out dishes and asking me about them, and I patiently explained everything I knew. Our heads were so close together it was almost like we were whispering secrets.

The long-haired girl couldn't help but ask, "Gareth, are you younger than Sue?"

Without hesitation, I answered, "Yes, Gareth is six months younger than me."

The ladies chimed in with enthusiastic comments:

"A younger boyfriend, how intriguing!"

"Young and full of energy!"

I overheard Kai's friends whispering in Glaswegian dialect, perhaps thinking Gareth wouldn't understand them:

"A pretty boy hired to play the part?"

"Must be, just to annoy Kai..."

"I thought she had moved on. He's just a kept man."

"Pride can be a heavy burden."

Disrespectful, regardless of whether it was true. Kai likely heard them, too. His lips curled into a mocking smile as he glanced at Gareth with disdain.

Evelyn softly asked, "Kai, do you like younger women too?"

Kai's response was thinly-veiled disdain, "No. I’m a bit old-fashioned; I need a woman younger than me." Clearly a jab at me, but I bit my tongue, forcing myself not to react.

Gareth, oblivious or simply unbothered, kept browsing the menu. He saw a sea cucumber soup and said to one of the whispering guys, "Dougie, how about I order you some sea cucumber soup?"

Dougie, trying to be polite, replied, "No, thank you, that’s too much..."

Gareth smiled sweetly, "You’ve got dark circles and grey around your lips. Might be kidney issues. Sea cucumber is quite nourishing."

No man wants to hear that, and Dougie’s face turned several shades at once. He rushed to deny it, "I don't have kidney issues!"

Gareth, with unflinching innocence, said, "Your dull, oily skin and red nose suggest hormonal imbalance. You should see a specialist."