Chapter 5 Teasing the Bartender

After sending the maid away, I was still fuming, and that's when Alan's message came through. Alan: Remember to wear protection when you go out. I don’t want to raise someone else’s child. I was so angry that I replied immediately: Then you'd better install a chastity belt on me, because I can't guarantee that! Alan didn't reply, but knowing his arrogant and proud nature, he was probably fuming when he read my message. Thinking of that made me feel a lot better. After taking the birth control pill and having breakfast, I lay down for a nap. I got up in the afternoon, put on some makeup, and headed back to the club from last night. In the shower that morning, I noticed nothing unusual on my body. It was as if nothing had happened with that man, which made me wonder if he had left after bringing me home. Did nothing happen? To be safe, I took the birth control pill anyway. I asked the maid, but she said she went to bed early and didn’t know how I got home. She even asked, “Wasn’t it the master who brought you back?” I scoffed inwardly. Alan wouldn’t be kind enough to bring me home. Even the driver didn’t know how I got home. It was like a mystery. I had only hired a maid and a driver to make the house less crowded, hoping for a bit of a private life with Alan. If I had known, I would have hired security too. Then I might know when that man left. I needed to know who the first man in this life was. The club was quite empty in the afternoon. I found a young bartender and asked about the man from last night. The young bartender just shook his head and smiled, “Sorry, ma’am, I can’t help you find him from your description. Today’s my first day, but I can ask my coworkers who were here yesterday later.” I thanked him and ordered a drink, intending to sit for a while before leaving. I didn't expect Alan to video call me. When his handsome face appeared on the screen, I was a bit impatient, “What do you want?” Alan seemed taken aback by my tone. “What? Checking up on me? Want to see if I’m having someone else’s child?” My words caught the bartender’s attention. He looked at me curiously. “Aisha!” Alan was clearly angry. In the past life, he only got angry when I tried to go after Linda. In this life, his patience was much shorter. I smiled, then pulled the young bartender close and kissed him on the cheek in front of Alan. Though the camera only caught part of the bartender's face, it was clear I kissed a man. The bartender froze, and Alan went silent. I nodded at Alan, “Now you know what I’m doing. Satisfied?” The call ended abruptly, and I felt great. Was I stirring things up? Yes! But I wasn't the one who started it. In the past life, Alan had done the same to disgust me, sending a photo of him kissing Linda’s cheek. I was just retaliating. But seeing the bartender’s face turn bright red made me feel guilty. I wanted to say something, but he covered his cheek and stammered, “I... I have a girlfriend!” I... That wasn’t cool of me. I quickly apologized, “I’m sorry, that was too much. I apologize! I just wanted to get rid of someone annoying and used you.” The young bartender seemed understanding, with a good temper. He stuttered, “Just... don’t do that again. My girlfriend would misunderstand.” I nodded repeatedly, “It won’t happen again!” To show my sincerity, I gave him a generous tip. He seemed happy, his smile bright. I felt a bit less guilty. Finding a quiet, secluded corner, I sipped my drink and relaxed to the music. Suddenly, a familiar voice reached my ears, “Kevin!” I turned sharply towards the sound and saw Linda hugging the bartender I had just teased. The drink I had just swallowed choked me, and a waiter handed me a napkin. I asked softly, “Are they a couple?” The waiter glanced at them and nodded with a smile, “Linda and Kevin? Yes, they’re a couple. Kevin just started here today.” I was stunned. In the past life, I was shocked to learn Linda had a boyfriend. I never imagined Alan, in his madness to get Linda, would use his power to break them up. Alan loved Linda with a madness that knew no bounds. But what shocked me more was that I had just teased Linda’s boyfriend. Suddenly, I felt that Alan and I were a perfect match in some ways. Like how we both shamelessly interfered in Linda and Kevin’s relationship. In the past life, Alan used force to take Linda. In this life, I kissed Linda’s boyfriend. Alan and I were truly despicable. He took Linda, I teased Kevin. What karma did this couple have to face us? I quickly hid my face with a menu. I didn’t want Linda to see me and come over to greet me, asking if I was feeling better. Based on my observations of Linda these past days, she would definitely do something like that. If Kevin mentioned my kiss, I’d be utterly humiliated. My mind was a mess when my mom called, startling me. Hiding in the corner, I answered the call. Hearing her familiar voice, I felt emotional. Since my rebirth, I hadn’t dared to face my parents. In the past life, my stubbornness had brought my family to ruin, and I couldn’t face them. I hadn’t figured out how to meet them, and my mom called me first. “Mom, what’s up?” I said, my voice choked with guilt. Mom immediately sensed something was wrong, “What’s wrong? You sound upset. Did something happen?” I shook my head quickly, “No, I just choked on some water. Why did you call?” Mom relaxed, “Alan said he couldn’t reach you, so I got worried and called.”