Chapter 4: I'll pay!

Everyone else was quick to react, clearly smitten by the seriously good-looking guy standing in front of them. This guy was on another level, not something you'd find hanging around a typical bar. Nova didn't expect everyone to be so intense and quickly scrapped the idea of pretending any longer. She softly pulled on Tristan's sleeve, hinting that it was time to leave. She didn't want him to see her fall apart. Selena couldn't hide her delight at Nova's discomfort She knows Nova all too well. Nova？ Just a silly girl trying to play a part she couldn't fit. The crowd burst into laughter at Nova, turning her face into an instant scowl. Just as she was about to explode and start throwing insults, Tristan calmly grabbed her hand. He stared down Emily, the one leading the charge, and said coolly, "Shut your mouth." His boldness only made the crowd madder. Until now, it wasn't clear why Nova had even brought him along. It looked like this so-called class reunion was nothing more than a chance to pick on Nova. Watching those snickering women, Tristan's demeanor suddenly became more commanding. “So you invited Nova just to make fun of her? Have you no shame? ” Emily snorted when Tristan defended Nova. "A gigolo dares to talk to us like that?" "In my eyes, you're nothing. And you better apologize to my girlfriend, or you'll regret it," Tristan's vibe made everyone else feel chilly! The women quickly shut up. "Who's this punk thinking he can talk big?" Ashton, who had been waiting on the sidelines, saw his chance to knock Nova down a peg. He was fed up with some hired nobody showing off in front of him. He wanted to put Tristan in his place and make Nova beg for his forgiveness. "Since you're Nova's boyfriend, you should know her pretty well, right?" "So, what does she like to eat? What are her hobbies? Convince me, and I'll believe you." Nova felt a wave of panic; she hadn't shared any of this with Tristan. After being with Ashton for so many years, he knew her inside out. If Tristan got even one question wrong, the teasing would only get worse. Looking at Tristan, Ashton was pretty sure he wouldn't have the answers. Whenever Nova and Tristan were together, she often blushed—hardly the look of long-time acquaintances. "Fine, Nova seems happy fooling herself." Tristan saw that the stage was set for drama, and thought it'd be a shame not to play along a bit. "Nova doesn't like foods with a strong veggie taste, like celery and cilantro." "Her favorite snacks come from the food stalls on Westward Alley, but unfortunately, they're closed for renovations right now." "She's really into jewelry design, even makes some pieces herself." He was dropping details that most people wouldn't know. Seeing Ashton's shocked face, Tristan recalled what he had his assistant dig up and kept talking about Nova’s likes. The only way to describe it. Perfect. Nova couldn't believe it. They had just met last night and suddenly Tristan knew all about her. Emily was second-guessing herself, wondering if she'd heard wrong because they didn't seem like a pretend couple at all. As the room grew quiet, Tristan scanned the crowd, thought back to earlier, and coolly said, "Nova's just unlucky to be stuck with classmates like you guys. It's dragging her down." Nova was taken aback; he was truly professional, and her money was well spent. It made sense why he had so many clients. Meanwhile, Ashton was still on the hunt for proof that Tristan was a phony boyfriend, finding him too audacious. He couldn't believe Tristan had much to offer. "You've been played by Nova, man!" "Nova's all about the money and so foolish!" "Only a fool like you would like her." Nova, already livid with Ashton, now completely lost her cool. Originally, it was Ashton who had cheated on Selena. He even made up excuses to break it off, blaming her for not being affectionate enough. Spotting a bottle of red wine on a nearby table, she quickly grabbed a glass and splashed it on Ashton. She was quick about it. "Ashton, you're a total jerk!" Tristan stepped forward, looking like he was trying to stop Nova, but really, he was ready to jump in if Ashton tried anything. After all, guys who hit women aren't exactly rare. And men tend to get more violent when they're embarrassed and angry. Anyone watching could easily see what was happening here. It had turned into a battlefield between the new guy and the ex. Selena stepped right in front of Ashton. Noticing his mood worsen, she turned and blasted Nova. "Are you out of your mind?" "Do you know how much Ashton's suit costs?" "Can you even afford that?" Her words cooled Nova's rage, giving her a moment of clarity. Remembering their time together, Ashton always subtly bragged about his family's wealth. Clearly, he was the rich kid with deep pockets. After finally taking a stand, why should she back down now? She'd done it, so she had to face it. "I'll pay!" It really bugged Ashton that Nova had moved on and found a new boyfriend, bold enough to splash wine on him. Pointing at his ruined outfit, he sneered, "This suit cost 500,000!" "Nova, how are you going to pay for this—cash, or are you planning to max out your credit cards?"