Self

Chapter 2

At the breakfast table, Yale frowned. “Why isn’t there any mushroom soup?”

“You mean the special mushroom soup?”

“Special mushroom soup?”

“Yeah, the one Ms. Simmons always cooks with a blend of

mushrooms, herbs, and a touch of cream, right? Sorry, but I didn’t

have time to do that.

“Just soaking the mushrooms and getting the broth ready takes a lot of time, and it needs to be overseen while it simmers.

“And getting the heat just right is super important. I’m not as patient as Ms. Simmons, watching the stove non–stop. It wouldn’t come out tasting the same, plus there’s-”

Yale cut her off. “Just grab me some steak sauce.”

“Coming right up, Young Master.”

Why does this taste off?” Yale eyed the bottle. And this isn’t the usual brand.”

“We ran out of the other stuff; this is all we had.”

“Pick up a couple of jars from the store to keep here.”

“You won’t find the taste you want, sir.”

“What?”

Mary chuckled embarrassedly. “That was Ms. Simmons‘ homemade recipe. I haven’t got a clue how to make it.”

Clang!

“Hey? Young Master, you’re not eating?”

“No.

Mary watched him head upstairs, utterly baffled.

What made him lose his cool all of a sudden?

“Lazybones, time to rise and shine!”

Yara burrowed deeper into the covers, mumbling, “Cut it out, just a few more minutes…”

All dolled up and picking out a purse, Rainie Shelton said, “It’s nearly eight. Don’t you have to dash back and cook breakfast for Young Master Johnson?”

Yara sometimes crashed there, but she would usually be up before the sun, making that special mushroom soup for Yale’s sensitive

stomach.

Rainie did not get it.

Was Yale seriously incapable, or what? How hard could it be to whip out his phone and order takeout?

No, he just had to be a pain in the ass.

Honestly, it was his bad habits; he was spoiled.

Yara was out like a light, but she waved her hand dismissively at Rainie’s words. “Not going back. We’re done.”

“Oh, and how many days do you think this will last this time?”

Yara ignored her.

“Alright then, sleep some more. I left breakfast on the table for you. I’ve got work and a date tonight, so don’t worry about dinner for me.

“Actually, scratch that. You’ll probably change your mind and go back.

soon. Just close the balcony window when you head out, will you?”

Yara’s stomach woke her up.

Munching on the sandwich her best friend had whipped up, she gazed out at the dazzling sunlight and could not even recall the last time she had woken up without an alarm

After her breakfast -turned–lunch, she slipped into a fresh outfit and made a beeline for the bank.

The first order of business: cashing a check for a cool 50 million

dollars.

Money only felt real when she could touch it.

The next stop was the bank next door. “I need to speak with your private banking manager. I’m here to deposit ten million.”

Eventually, the bank president offered a pretty sweet annual interest rate. Yara haggled for two extra percentage points, and they shook on a deal that left both sides smiling.

She pulled the same move at two other banks, stashing another ten

million in each one.

Each time, she talked her way into an even better rate.

By the time she strutted out of the last bank, Yara was rocking three black cards, 30 million in the bank, and a liquid stash of 20 million talk about a jackpot.

“This split worked out pretty well,” she murmured.

She had hit the wealth jackpot overnight, for real.

As she strolled past a bustling hair salon, Yara did not hesitate to step inside.

She snagged a two–thousand–dollar salon card on the spot, with the perk of jumping the queue.

As she settled into the salon chair, she caught her reflection -those big, brown waves–and for the first time, she was not feeling it.

“Darling, your hair is just gorgeous, like a doll’s!”

She had kept her curls because Yale was all about that long, curly hair.

After every tumble between the sheets, he would get all caught up playing with her locks.

Sporting a head of gorgeous curls meant extra hours in front of the mirror, but Yara was done with that.

She flashed a small smile at the stylist. “Can you cut it short, straighten it, and dye it black?”

prett

A doll, no matter how pretty, was just a plaything.

Someone else could be the doll; Yara wanted out of that game.

As she stepped out of the salon, Yara felt like a weight had been lifted.

Lucky for her, a shop was having a sale right next door. She snagged a white tee and jeans and slipped them on right there. They were a perfect match for her kicks.

Her stroll took her to the gates of Bellmere University. Pausing, she watched the students biking back and forth in the golden sunset, zoning out momentarily.

“Solomon! Over here!” someone called out.

A young guy breezed past Yara. “There are too many people. Why is everybody here?”

“Everyone wants to see Professor Olson, so…”

Solomon Harris said, “The hospital won’t let this many of us in. Let’s just have two from the Bioinformatics Program join me.”

Bioinformatics… Professor Olson…

Tare’t even safawed, and the stepped up quickl

stepped up quickly. “Whe dil pou say

A fushered by the pretty gut before um, Solomon stufferet,

Professor Cleon.”

“Wendy Chean?”

“Which hospital

West Capitollurm

“Thanks.

Uh what’s your major? Youlle a anuchint of Profesor Cleans

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off her shoes,

Yara’s lips quirked in a half–smile. “Why? Trying to kick me out?”

“Wow, you’re sticking it out longer than usual. Last time you and Yale split, it took one call from him, and you were back in his arms before. the hour was up.”

“Help yourself to the soup in the pot

Rainie beamed and dashed to the kitchen, scooping out a steaming bowl. “That Yale’s one lucky dude. He got to enjoy this every day.

Yara called over her shoulder, “Don’t forget to wash up after. I’m going to sleep.”

“Seriously, you’re not going back?*

The only answer was the soft click of the bedroom door shutting.

Rainie muttered, “Looks like someone’s finally standing her ground

Meanwhile, at a villa by the river, Yale took a call under the same stretch of the night sky.

“Mr. Johnson, the bank confirmed Ms. Simmons cashed a 50–million check at 12:05 PM today.

Yale ended the call, his gaze icy as he stared into the night.

“Yara, what’s this new game you’re playing?”

She must be kidding if she thought that stunt would bring him back. When Yale made up his mind, there was no turning back.

“Zachary, care to join me for a drink?

Half an hour had passed when Yale swung the door to the private room wide open.

Zachary was there, grinning ear to ear. “Hey Yale, the gang’s all here We’ve been waiting for you. So, what would you like

Yale stepped inside.

Zachary stayed put, peering over Yale’s shoulder.

“Dude, what’s got you zoned out?”

“Where’s Yara? She’s still trying to find a parking spot?” Yale’s face clouded over,

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