After He Played Me, I Teamed Up With His Rival

Chapter 2

After my reply, Kieran went completely silent.

About ten minutes passed. Then my phone rang. His voice was laced with something close to panic.

"Raven, please don't be mad. I didn't mean what I said. I was just running my mouth."

"It's my fault. I should never have spoken to you like that."

"Just don't be angry, okay? Let me take you out for dinner. Make it up to you."

The familiar tone, that practiced softness—for a moment, it almost felt like before.

Then I remembered the photos the girl had sent. And his laughable threat.

I pushed down the wave of emotion rising in my chest. My voice came out flat.

"Fine. The usual place."

It was an upscale restaurant downtown. I'd taken him there countless times before.

I still remembered our first date. He'd been so shy, he couldn't even hold the knife and fork properly. Said it was too expensive, that we should just eat street food instead.

That raw, awkward innocence was what drew me in back then.

I'd learned his parents had died young. That he had a sick little sister. My heart had softened. I'd started supporting him.

I never imagined it would cost me four years of money. And four years of my life.

Kieran was wearing the suit I'd bought him last year. He looked sharper than usual. When he saw me walk in, he stood up immediately, his face arranging itself into that familiar, ingratiating smile.

"I've been saving up. Order whatever you want. Today, it's on me!"

He pushed the menu toward me.

His "savings," of course, were just the extra living allowance I'd given him last month—money meant for supplements. For his health.

"You sure?"

I raised an eyebrow.

He thumped his chest. "Absolutely. Don't hold back, Raven. Think of it as my way of thanking you. For everything."

So that was it. He wanted to use a single meal to sever ties with me.

I said nothing. I opened the menu and ordered the most expensive steak. Then I added truffle pasta, caviar salad, and a bottle of very decent vintage wine.

Every dish I named drained more color from Kieran's face.

I thought back to the street food he used to treat me to.

Even a cheap burrito, and I'd hesitate forever, afraid of wasting his money. I felt for him—his tough background. Every time, I ended up grabbing the bill.

For four years, I'd shouldered the cost of every single date.

At first, he'd blush and stammer out a thank you, his eyes brimming with genuine gratitude. Now, he was using my own money to chase other women. And still daring to give me attitude.

The meal passed in thick silence. Kieran tried several times to break the ice. Each time, my cold indifference shut him down.

As the check was about to arrive, he suddenly clutched his stomach, his face twisting in pain.

"Raven, I need to hit the restroom. You keep eating."

I watched him hurry away. A cold smirk tugged at my lips.

He'd used this trick a hundred times. Every time the bill came, he'd find an excuse to vanish. I'd always end up paying. Before, I thought he was just embarrassed.

Now I knew. He was simply comfortable taking advantage.

I was calmly cutting my steak when a wave of ice-cold water crashed over me.

"You're seducing your own cousin, you shameless old hag!"

The girl who'd called herself Kieran's girlfriend had appeared out of nowhere, her finger jabbing toward my face.

"Did you threaten him? Is that why he's having dinner with you?"

Every head in the restaurant turned. The waitstaff rushed over. The girl didn't care. She lunged for the table, sweeping plates and glasses to the floor. Shattered fragments scattered everywhere.

No one had ever dared bully me. Not since I was a child.

I stood up. Under the shocked stares of the entire room, I emptied the entire bottle of red wine over her head.

Right at that moment, Kieran emerged from the restroom.

He rushed to shield the girl behind him. His eyes were full of nothing but tender concern. Then he turned to me, roaring.

"Raven! She's my classmate. Are you seriously jealous over this?!"

"How could you bully a young girl like that? If you've got a problem, take it up with me!"

He paused, waiting. When I stayed silent, he took it as surrender. His voice dropped, low and smug.

"Just pay the bill. And the damages. And I'll let this slide."

I walked straight past them. Toward the door.

Kieran's composure cracked. He shouted after me. "Hey! Stop right there!"

"Raven! What the hell is this?!"

I didn't look back. I walked out of that restaurant.

And from that moment on, I never cleaned up his messes again.

Later, I heard from the restaurant manager. Kieran had no choice. He ended up pawning that expensive watch I'd given him just weeks ago. Just to cover the meal. And the damages.