The Broke Student's Mistress Move

When I was sixteen, I fell in love at first sight with the eighteen-year-old Zephyr. I poured a fortune into funding his education, including overseas studies, all to keep him by my side. He gave up the one he loved and endured six years of humiliation, all to comply with my demands. The last year of his studies abroad, my family went bankrupt, and we lost contact. When we met again, I had opened a cake shop, and he visited with his girlfriend, not sparing me a glance. Later, in a shadowy alley, Zephyr pinned me against the wall, his eyes reddened. "I'm willing to be the other man, Zoey. You can't just leave me like that..." ***** Zephyr showed up just as I was about to close the cake shop. When I looked up, our eyes met. His eyes were just as they were three years ago, cold and frosty like a winter lake. "Zephyr, it's your birthday today. You should at least buy a cake," the woman beside Zephyr interrupted my thoughts. I instinctively lowered my head, not daring to look at him again. In my youth, I had done many reckless things. Although I couldn't say I had a clear conscience regarding Zephyr, I didn't feel overly guilty either. Avoiding his gaze was just a small act of self-respect. But to be honest, I didn't quite resemble my old self from three years ago. Besides, Zephyr had always been indifferent towards me. Perhaps he had long forgotten about me. After a few self-reassuring thoughts, my heart, which had skipped a beat upon seeing Zephyr, returned to its normal rhythm. "Checkout, please." A small cake was pushed in front of me. I mechanically went through my daily routine, avoiding eye contact with the person in front of me. "That'll be one hundred and twenty-five bucks." "Zoey...?" The woman called my name with a hint of doubt. My hands paused in the middle of packing. "Is it really you? What happened to the proud Miss Carey? Have you really come down to this?" Only then did I recognize who was beside Zephyr. She was Zephyr's childhood sweetheart, Sylvie. Nine years ago, I was sixteen. Back then, my family hadn't gone bankrupt, and I was the envy of everyone, cherished by my parents. Zephyr was my sixteenth birthday gift. When I first saw him, he was working part-time to save for his college tuition. Even in the same server's uniform, his face stood out with striking handsomeness. I fell for Zephyr at first sight. So I pestered my father to become his sponsor. The Carey family covered everything, from college tuition and living expenses to the costs of studying abroad. We could even provide connections to secure him a job after graduation. No one would turn down such a golden opportunity. There was just one condition; I wanted Zephyr to be my boyfriend. At sixteen, I was deeply influenced by romance novels, dreaming of a boyfriend who was smart, handsome, and aloof. Zephyr fulfilled all my fantasies. But I forgot to ask if he had someone in his heart. So, when I saw Zephyr embracing Sylvie, my teenage heart broke into pieces. "Long time no see." I forced a somewhat strained smile at Sylvie. I didn't dare glance at Zephyr. Sylvie looked me up and down, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "I thought I had the wrong person. Miss Carey, is that it? After leaving the Carey family, this is the best you can do? Slumming it, aren't we?" Sylvie was a far cry from the girl I once knew. We had crossed paths a few times. In my memory, Sylvie, though the same age as me, was reserved. Every time she saw me, she couldn't even meet my eyes, let alone speak to me in such a mocking tone. But I knew time had changed, and I was no longer the cherished Miss Carey from back then. Besides, in these three years, I had seen all sorts of people. My smile remained, and I spoke calmly as I reminisced with her. "Miss Swan is right. With the family bankrupt, I can only run a small business to make ends meet." Sylvie reached out, linking her arm with Zephyr's, and slightly raised her chin. "Who would've thought the once haughty Miss Carey would be speaking kindly to someone like me? It's amazing how time can change things, right, Zephyr?" My hand clenched into a fist at my side. Finally, I mustered the courage to look up at Zephyr. He hadn't changed much since the last time I saw him, except a newfound steadiness in his gaze. Zephyr looked at me for what felt like an eternity, long enough for my heart to nearly stop. My lips moved, ready to say something, but he cut me off. He turned to Sylvie and said, "Let's go." For some reason, a pang of disappointment hit me. But I quickly pushed it aside. 'What are you thinking, Zoey? Did you really think Zephyr would still be holding onto you? The fact that he doesn't hate you is already a win.' I lowered my head and chuckled at myself. Now, they were lovers who had finally come together, while I, the villain in their story, had exited the stage three years ago... "Zoey, are you off work?" Olson's voice brought me back to reality. I nodded at him and softly said, "Yeah, let's go." "Those two just now..." Olson was curious. "Just old friends, nothing more." I replied. Olson knew about my past, so he didn't press further. We closed the shop and walked home together. Little did I know, a pair of eyes followed my every step as I walked away...