Tina stormed off. Her best friend didn't even try to call her back. Instead, she gave Weston a solid kick and hissed, "You ever heard of thinking before you speak? Or did you swallow garbage today because
that's what it sounded like!"
Weston ran a hand through his hair and hurried after Tina.
Tina had barely stepped out of the bar when Weston caught her by the arm, his voice low and apologetic, "I messed up. I'm sorry, okay?"
"You didn't mess up," Tina said, "You're right. Guys are often led by their desires, but Phillip's not like that."
"Okay, okay, he's a saint then," Weston quickly backed down, not wanting to push her further. "So why are you mad? You scared me."
It wasn't that Tina thought Phillip was some playboy. She knew better than that.
She suddenly realized, whether it was his indulgence or his tenderness, it was all because she was his fiancee.
He would've treated her the same way if someone else were in her place.
And that was something she'd always known.
She wouldn't have minded if she didn't love Phillip.
Seeing her silence, Weston blurted out, "Break off the engagement with him. I'm serious. I'll talk to my dad and get him to propose on my behalf. I'll tell them I love you, and you love me, and if they try to split us up, they'd be the villains of the century. Let your dad direct all his anger at me. I'll take it for you."
"Are you out of your mind?" Tina looked at him like he was crazy.
"Well," Weston said, "I just can't stand seeing you like this."
"Tina," her friend called softly, nodding toward a figure standing by a car not far off.
Phillip was there clad in a black coat, blending with the night. His gaze settled on her wrist, still in Weston's grip.
The chill of late autumn in
Stonebridge grew more biting by the day, the rustling trees and the rowdy street unable to fend off the encroaching cold.
Tina pulled her hand back and walked toward Phillip.
He held out a white cashmere scarf, shifting his gaze from Weston, and wrapped it around her.
"It's gotten colder today." he said.
The scarf was soft and warm. Tina stood still, locking her eyes on his face.
He seemed too calm, and at this close range, Tina was sure he had heard Weston's words.
Someone was trying to steal her away, suggesting she break off their engagement. Yet, it didn't seem to faze Phillip in the slightest. Tina still felt the need to clarify. "He's talking nonsense. There's nothing between us but a childhood friendship, nothing more." "Okay," Phillip said.
Tina waited, then pressed. "You're not bothered?"
She hoped for a hint of jealousy, a sign that he cared.
"Not at all," Phillip replied.
"What if it were true?" In the end, Tina seemed more eager to probe. "So you wouldn't mind even if I was in love with him?"
Phillip had learned to control his emotions from a young age, understanding that calm was crucial for rational thinking, especially given his responsibilities, where every decision had to be spot-on
Controlling and concealing his feelings was second nature to him.
He looked into her earnest eyes with his usual composed expression and told her, "I assured you of your freedom in this regard. The choice is entirely yours."
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