Rolly came by on Tuesday evening. He had just returned from a mission abroad.
He brought orange cake—because that was all he could manage to bake in his tight schedule. He would have to fly again later that night.
They sat in the elegant lounge of Jennifer's building, tucked behind a screen of large leafy plants.
"I can't really say anything about it. Most of my missions are classified," Rolly said, rubbing the back of his neck. "If anyone asks, just say your boyfriend is on a business trip."
Jennifer was in a good mood because the cake was delicious. She teased him, grinning, "Since when did you become my boyfriend?"
Rolly's reaction was instant—flush rising, panic flickering across his face. "Ah, I… Well, I promised our mothers we'd be getting married next year…"
Ah. He was too cute.
"I don't remember agreeing to any of that," Jennifer said, taking another generous bite of the perfectly balanced vanilla-and-orange sponge.
She washed it down with Sebastian's Earl Grey tea. For some reason, the royal butler had decided his duties now included not only assisting her as a trainee teacher at school, but also serving tea whenever someone visited.
Rolly stood up, his large round frame pushing the cane armchair backwards. Then he got down on one knee front of her. "Jennifer Margaret Lee, will you be my girlfriend?"
This should have been a perfect moment to tease him again. But Jennifer froze. His expression was earnest—so serious that it looked like he was asking for her hand in marriage.
Once upon a time, Shilem had knelt before her in exactly that way.
A fancy restaurant, golden chandeliers, perfect smiles… That innocent "yes" had led to a beautiful wedding, and then the destruction of her life and dreams. It was brutal.
From smiling in a white ballgown the size of a hot air balloon surrounded by so many flowers the air was perfumed, to returning wedding gifts and working night shifts at the convenience store to pay the bills.
It wasn't just her. Her family was hurt too. Her mother couldn't step foot out of the house for months for fear of what the neighbours would say.
Why these memories suddenly flashed before her eyes, Jennifer couldn't explain. But at that moment, panic seized her. "No! Don't! I can't!"
"What?" Rolly asked, confused, then quietly stood.
"Don't joke like that, Rolly!" she scolded.
"I… ah…" He looked down at his clenched hands. "I wasn't joking, Jenny."
He swallowed. "Ah… I should go. I need to… ah… my flight… see you, Jenny."
And he left.
Like, really quickly.
But Jennifer had already seen the stricken look on his face. What had she done?
Jennifer dropped her forehead onto the table. "I'm an idiot."
Sebastian was still there, clearing the table with quiet efficiency. "I cannot deny that, my queen," he said.
"What should I do, Sebastian?" she moaned, forehead still pressed down.
He hummed, consulting his watch. "It wouldn't be too late to catch him at the airport, my queen."
Jennifer's eyes lit up. "Oh! You're right!"
"I am often told that," Sebastian demurred, straightening a napkin on the table.
Jennifer didn't even have time to retort. Yes, she was an idiot. Yes, Shilem had ruined her life once. Yes, those days had been devastating and terrifying—but those days were over. How long would she let his shadow loom over her?
She finished the cake, downed the tea in one gulp, and a brilliant idea struck her: she was going to dress up.
She remembered how Rolly had nearly fallen backward off her parents' porch the other day when Jessica had dolled her up. Muahahaha. Jennifer was going to be the leading lady in her own rom-com. She was going to rush to the airport, absolutely floor Rolly in a pretty dress, and then—finally—ask him to be her boyfriend.
She even had the perfect line: "The reason I said no was because I wanted to be the one to ask you! Rolly, be my boyfriend!"
Exactly like a sweet, fluffy webnovel. Just like orange cake.
Cue the dress-up montage: a quick shower, the "someday" dress she'd bought and never worn, hair blow-dried, makeup carefully applied. Her reflection made her grin wider. This is going to be perfect!
She checked her phone. Just in time.
She rushed down the stairs. Sebastian had offered to drive her.
High heels clicking as she walked, envelope clutch in hand, she caught herself in the mirrored walls of the lift—and smiled.
She was still smiling when the doors opened.
It was going to be perfect this time.
Then—
Her breath caught.
"Shi… Shilem… what are you doing here?"