Chapter 133:
“Perfect. See you then,” Colden replied, his enthusiasm practically spilling through the phone.
“Just one thing,” Yelena added, her tone light but firm. “Keep it low-key. No grand entrances, no unnecessary attention.”
Colden chuckled, the sound warm and easy. “Got it. Don’t worry. I’ll be in full disguise.”
Navigating life as a celebrity was a balancing act. Privacy and freedom were rare commodities.
The next day marked the start of winter break for the university, leaving Yelena with a welcome reprieve from her studies. With Colden’s concert just three days away, she was looking forward to catching up with her friend before that.
As she prepared to head out, Bella appeared, her expression smug and calculated.
“Are you going to Colden’s concert in three days, Yelena?” Bella asked, her voice dripping with faux sweetness.
Yelena glanced at Bella, holding back a sigh. Why did she always have to pry into everything? Still, she responded evenly, her tone calm but curt.
“What if I am? Does it matter?”
“Oh, it’s just that Colden’s concert tickets are so hard to get. I managed to grab two scalped ones,” she said with a deliberate air of self-importance. “You could come with me, but then Bernice said she wanted to go too and now I don’t know what to do…” Bella pretended to be hesitant, yet her satisfaction was almost gleaming.
Bella had poured a considerable amount of effort—and a hefty sum of money—into securing those two tickets. It had stung to part with so much cash, but the opportunity to flaunt them in front of Yelena made the expense feel justified. To Bella, this was more than a small victory; it was a moment of sweet, petty vindication.
It didn’t need a genius to guess what Bella was trying to achieve. The secret smug expression plastered across Bella’s face said it all.
𝗀Ɐ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀.𝒸𝗈𝗺, 𝓶𝗈𝗋𝑒 𝓬𝒉𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓈 𝗈𝗇
Without missing a beat, Yelena responded with an indifferent, “I’ll be fine. Go ahead with her and enjoy yourselves.”
Bella’s smile widened, her eyes gleaming with triumph. “Alright then, Bernice and I will go. But if you’re interested in attending, well, I guess you’ll have to wait until next time,” she said, her tone oozing with false sympathy.
Though her face had mostly healed, Bella still hadn’t regained the radiant complexion she prided herself on. The lingering dullness irritated her to no end, a constant reminder of her recent humiliation.
Unable to let go of her bitterness, she took every opportunity to mock Yelena, hoping it would soothe her wounded pride. Yelena, however, saw through it all. Bella’s insecurities were so blatant they were almost laughable.
Tired of the pointless exchanges, Yelena slipped on her shoes without another word and walked out the door.
A short while later, Bella and Bernice headed out for a shopping trip, both in high spirits.
Meanwhile, Yelena arrived at Miro Cafe a bit earlier than planned. She settled into a cozy corner, noting Colden’s absence. He was likely still exhausted from the jet lag and had to disguise himself to avoid drawing attention.
Miro Cafe was a gem on Eighfast’s bustling commercial street. Its upscale decor, paired with a serene ambiance, made it the perfect spot for a quiet break.
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