It was a mistake to momentarily forget how generous this man was.
While it felt burdensome, on the other hand, she was also excited.
Indeed, Dylan’s taste was extraordinary, as he had said. Changing into the dress he picked out for her, she looked in the mirror and felt like a completely different person. Her skin tone looked brighter, and she appeared slim with long legs.
Emerging from the fitting room, Lola shyly asked Dylan, who was waiting outside, “Dear, how do I look?”
Dylan was momentarily speechless at Lola’s transformed appearance.
The ivory dress, simple yet stylish and elegant, suited her pure image perfectly.
“Uh, I think it looks good, but how about trying on something else before deciding?”
“I really like this one.”
The other dresses were over five thousand dollars, which made her feel even more burdened.
When Lola insisted, Dylan reluctantly nodded and asked the staff to wrap it up.
A moment later, Lola came out wearing her original clothes. As Dylan instinctively took her hand to walk toward the counter to pay, a woman approached them, speaking to him as if she knew him well.
“Dylan Eve? Is that you? Oh my! What a coincidence! It’s been so long. How have you been?”
The woman was wearing a luxurious white dress that matched the season. She acted as if she had seen Dylan just yesterday.
Startled by the sudden appearance of an uninvited guest, Lola awkwardly stood next to Dylan.
Dylan frowned and asked in a stiff voice, “Who are you?”
The woman laughed lightly, touched her face, and opened her glossy lips, freshly coated with lip gloss.
“You don’t remember me? You’re not pretending not to know me, are you? If you really don’t recognize me, I’d be so hurt. Or have I become too pretty?”
‘Look how pretty I am,’ the woman was practically advertising with her whole being.
Honestly, it was true that the woman was beautiful. She had long, slender legs and flawless skin without a single blemish on her face. Her voice was lively, overflowing with confidence.
“Who are you?”
Dylan asked again with a cold gaze, but the woman didn’t seem intimidated at all.
“It’s me, Nia Aliza. Don’t you remember? We were rivals back in school. It’s nice to see you again, Dylan Eve.”
Nia smiled and extended her hand for a handshake. However, Dylan didn’t even glance at her outstretched hand.
Nia Aliza. The name vaguely rang a bell. She had been a long-time rival in school and had shown endless interest in him. Moreover, she came from a prestigious family, the second daughter of Chairman Aliza of the Meniza Group, which ranked among the top in Lampard County, comparable to the Donald Group.
But she had married early and settled in the United States, so it seemed she had returned. Dylan only knew about her through business news; he had never been interested in her personal life.
“Who’s this lady next to you? She doesn’t look like your sister.”
Nia’s curious gaze landed on Lola, who was standing next to Dylan, holding his hand.
“Aren’t you going to introduce her to me?”
“I’m a bit busy right now.”
Dylan replied dryly, and Nia smiled, raising the corners of her mouth.
“Ah! You’re still as cold and prickly as ever. Okay, I understand. Since you seem busy today, I won’t disturb you. Dylan, let’s catch up later.”
Although Dylan didn’t respond, Lola felt uncomfortable with the woman’s last words. And for some reason, she felt an inexplicable sense of crisis.
******
“Dylan Eve, I’m so glad to see you again.”
A dangerous whisper slipped from Nia’s pink lips as she watched the backs of the two walking toward the counter.
One of the biggest regrets in Nia’s life was marrying early. No matter how much her parents pressured her for an arranged marriage, she should have held out somehow, but she couldn’t. A marriage without love was a grave, and ultimately, it was bound to end in failure. Perhaps it was a predetermined course.
It had been nearly five years since she last saw Dylan, but Nia recognized him immediately. Dylan Eve, he was still perfect, handsome, prickly, and cold. She thought it was fate that they met again in a place like this.
But she had heard he was still unmarried; who was the woman standing next to him?
She decided she needed to find out more about that woman and walked away with an air of confidence.
*******
They decided to have lunch at an Italian restaurant. Once again, Dylan took the initiative to order food from the waitress.
While waiting for the food to arrive, Lola cautiously asked after taking a sip of water placed on the table, “Dear, it seems like you know that woman well? She mentioned something about rivals.”
