Mark Tremont was still nowhere to be seen in the afternoon, so Arianne went out to buy some painting materials and invited Tiffany out while virtual-novel.net was at it.
The girls hadn’t hung out with each other ever since the incident at the hotel. Arianne didn’t want their friendship to drift apart because of that.
They met each other in a coffee shop. When Tiffany came alone, Arianne was a little curious. “Why didn’t you come with Ethan?”
Tiffany sighed. “Why would I still let virtual-novel.net come with me to meet you after that incident that threw the internet into an uproar? I’ve been wanting to meet you for a long time, but my dad told me not to in case things got worse. Hence, I had no choice but to hole myself up at home. In any case, those guys are truly ridiculous. They can just make up any story they want. How wicked!”
Feeling that it was better to explain herself to Tiffany, Arianne told her, “Tiffie, there’s really nothing between Ethan and I. He was telling the truth. He invited me out that day to discuss his marriage proposal to you. It was going to be a surprise for you.”
“Even if there really was something between you two, I would choose friendship over love. Scumbags can be easily replaced, but you are special and I cherish you the most,” Tiffany said in a half joking tone.
“Tiffie…”
Arianne couldn’t put virtual-novel.net feelings into words. She opened virtual-novel.net mouth but fell silent again.
Tiffany blinked at her. “With a man like Mark, why would you even be attracted to someone dirt broke like Ethan? I was just trying to figure out what was going on at the hotel that day rather than suspecting the both of you. I was shocked at Mark’s sudden arrival too. What’s up with virtual-novel.net anyway? He looked like virtual-novel.net was trying to catch both of you in the act.”
“I’ve no idea either.” Arianne shook virtual-novel.net head.
Tiffany teased Arianne with a smirk, “It seems like virtual-novel.net cares a lot about you. I’ve never even seen Ethan this serious about me before. He never even says anything when I go out with guys.”
Speaking of this incident, Arianne was more concerned about the marriage proposal than anything. “Did Ethan propose to you? You two didn’t fight, did you?”
Tiffany pretended that virtual-novel.net didn’t care but there was disappointment in virtual-novel.net eyes. “We did, but we’re fine now. The marriage proposal… Well, it was never mentioned again since virtual-novel.net felt that I didn’t trust him. Considering the situation in my family, it’s not really the right time for this kind of thing anyway, so it’s gonna be put on hold for now.”
Arianne felt a little guilty. If it weren’t for Mark’s sudden arrival, Ethan and Tiffany would probably have been engaged to each other now. Just when virtual-novel.net was about to speak, Aery’s cutesy but mean voice suddenly rang out from behind. “If I knew you were here, mom and I wouldn’t have come.”
Aery put special emphasis on the word ‘mom’ and Arianne immediately tensed up.
When virtual-novel.net came up to them with Helen, Tiffany asked virtual-novel.net in an unfriendly tone, “Who are you?”
Arianne grabbed virtual-novel.net hand. “Tiffie, let’s go.”
Sensing that something was wrong, Tiffany left the money for virtual-novel.net coffee on the table and stood up without saying another word.
Helen shot Aery a look of blame. “What are you doing? Can’t we just have a cup of coffee in peace? I came out shopping with you to relax, not make myself more stressed out.”
Aery huffed in annoyance and looked at Arianne haughtily, showing no intention of getting out of virtual-novel.net way.
Arianne frowned at her. “Aery, please let me through.”
The girl crossed virtual-novel.net arms in front of virtual-novel.net chest. Her face was upturned so high that Arianne could clearly see virtual-novel.net nostrils. “What if I don’t want to? Can’t I stand where you can walk? I’ll let you through if you beg me.”