Self

Chapter 29

Xandra’s alarm was set for the crack of dawn, but she could not peel herself out of bed. Nearly late, they sprinted to make it on time.

“Which floor?” Yara asked, giving her a once–over.

“Second,” Xandra replied, trying to catch her breath and looking slightly disheveled.

They both stepped out of the elevator, and Xandra did a double–take at the study materials in Yara’s hands. “Wait, you’re studying here. too? Don’t tell me you’re gunning for grad school?”

Yara just gave her a cool look and did not answer.

Xandra said, “Loads of students can’t even make the cut, and here you are, years out of college. You don’t seriously think you’ve got a shot, do you?”

Yara’s reply was chill as ice. “Let’s not worry about whether I can make it. Are you talking about yourself when you mention those who

can’t?”

That almost got a rise out of Xandra.

She was in her third year, not even thinking about a job yet, just starting to prep for grad school. She had time–there was no need to

stress.

While her roommate had a whole study plan mapped out, Xandra had coasted through college. She figured if she passed, great; if not, well, she had Yale in her back pocket.

Yara’s jab hit a nerve.

“You think everyone’s like you? Passing or not doesn’t matter to me. He’s promised me the moon–he’ll give me anything I want.”

라고

Yara was not in the mood to chat. “Really? Well, good luck keeping that confidence.”

After she wrapped up, she hurried to catch up with Solomon, who had already made his way quite a bit ahead, blending into the moving crowd.

Her roommate watched Yara’s retreating back, then shot a look at Xandra, who was clearly not in the best of moods. With a curious gleam in her eye, she couldn’t resist asking, “Xandra, who’s that girl?”

Xandra muttered, “Just some girl I’ve bumped into a couple of times. Come on, we’re supposed to get some good seats, remember?”

On their way, Xandra suddenly had a thought, and she turned to her roommate. “Hey, do you know how to cook mushroom soup?”

“Uh, nope. I’ve never tried it. But there are like a zillion how–tos online. Just look it up.”

Xandra quickly found a cooking app with all the steps and dove right in. She was so engrossed that she spent the whole morning on it, not even glancing at the books she had brought.

Her roommate considered giving her advice but then shrugged it off. Xandra was already on the rich kids‘ list, with a future as bright as a polished diamond. Why bother?

After leaving the library at noon, Xandra went to the grocery store and returned with an armload of cooking gear and some groceries.

Her roommate was puzzled. “What’s all this?”

Xandra said, “From today onward, I’m on a mission to be the ultimate girlfriend.”

She was not about to let Yara be the only one who could make a good pot of mushroom soup!

Chapter 29

Her roommate just blinked, speechless.

The moon hung high, and the city lights still twinkled.

Yale wrapped up his workday, feeling wiped out.

His driver dropped him off at his villa, and as soon as he stepped out, a bubbly figure rushed toward him. “Babe, I’ve been waiting for ages. You’re finally home!”

Yale had to step back to avoid stumbling, gesturing for the driver to head out. “When did you get here?”

“I swung by this afternoon. Are you always this late? You must be tired. Why don’t I give you a massage?”

She reached out to touch him, but Yale smoothly stepped aside. “I’m good, really. What do you need?”