Ida retracted her gaze, taking a sip of the red wine in her hand. âHeâs not cute anymore.â
Chase chuckled. âYou used to say he was too childish. Now youâre saying heâs not cute? What exactly are you looking for, Ida?â
Ida set her wine glass down. âI donât want anything. Iâm going to the restroom.â
She then got up, adjusting her thin-framed glasses before, heading towards the restroom.
The restroom at this banquet hall had a unisex sink area. After using the restroom, Ida saw a man washing his hands.
From his reflection in the mirror, she recognized that it was Bryan.
She did not halt but continued to the sink as if everything were normal, without a hint of surprise on her face.
Bryan caught her reflection in the mirror. âLong time no see, Ida!â
She replied while washing her hands. âIndeed, itâs been a while.â
Bryan gave her a polite smile. âIda, you seem to have changed quite a bit.â
Ida raised an eyebrow. âOh? How so?â
Bryan smiled. âYour skin doesnât look as good, and you seem to have aged. Youâre not as radiant as you were three years ago.â
Ida was speechless.
Well, wasnât he a charmér?
Her silence made Bryan frown. âI was just joking, Ida. Youâre not really mad, are you?â
Ida, having washed her hands, turned off the faucet. She sounded nonchalant. âNo, youâre right. To you, I must seem old!â
She didnât linger on Bryan and instead turned to grab a paper towel to dry her hands.
Suddenly, a pair of strong hands grabbed her shoulders, spinning her back around.
Startled, Ida looked at Bryan, who had turned her around, waiting for an explanation.
Bryan, holding her by the shoulders, looked down at her. âUpon closer inspection, youâre not that old.
You have good genes, so a few signs of aging only add to your charm.â
As he spoke, he moved closer.
Too close.
Ida had to admit that he had grown more attractive. His youthful charm was now complemented with a mature sexiness.
She wasnât resisting his advances and didnât feel like sheâd be at a disadvantage, so she slowly closed her eyes.
But instead of what she expected, she heard a chuckle.
Bryan laughed lightly. âIda, why did you close your eyes? Did you think I was going to kiss you?â
Idaâs eyes snapped open, and in the eyes of the once sincere and passionate young man, she saw mockery and playfulness.
Ah! Sheâd been played.
She didnât respond, only adjusting her glasses.
Bryan added. âSorry to disappoint you. I have a girlfriend now, and I wouldnât kiss another woman. Iâm very committed, unlike you, who seems to change partners frequently.â
His words stung.
Ida responded nonchalantly. âIndeed, youâre a good man. I canât compare.â
After seeing her unbothered reaction, Bryan reached out his hand.