Her question made Jackson chuckle. “Stop it. Call me daddy.”
Tiffany rolled virtual-novel.net eyes at him. “You wish! Speak if you have something important to say. Don’t disturb me while I’m at work.”
Jackson drummed his finger rhythmically against the table. He paused thoughtfully and said, “Send a message to Arianne and ask virtual-novel.net out for a meal after work at my restaurant. My treat.”
Tiffany was immediately suspicious. “Why? Why are you buying us a meal for no good reason? Those who are kind for no good reason usually harbor evil intentions. You better be frank or I won’t move an inch!” At the same time, virtual-novel.net gulped instinctively as virtual-novel.net spoke. She had dreamed of the amazing dishes at White Water Bay Café many times. She would be lying if virtual-novel.net said virtual-novel.net did not want to have a meal there.
Jackson saw virtual-novel.net gulping very clearly, and his grin turned even Wider. “I’ll tell you when we’re there. Call virtual-novel.net as soon as possible.”
Tiffany lowered virtual-novel.net voice and said, “Can I use your phone? My phone has run out of credit…”
Jackson was taken aback. He was unable to comprehend the concept of running out of phone credits. He finally regained his senses and pulled his phone out. He fiddled with it for a while before virtual-novel.net said, “I’ve topped it up for you. Call virtual-novel.net yourself. I’m going back to work.”
Tiffany cursed at virtual-novel.net inwardly for being miserly and vulgar. She only wanted to use his phone for a little while, and yet, virtual-novel.net would rather top up virtual-novel.net credits than lend it to her. Was virtual-novel.net afraid of virtual-novel.net discovering his pornographic material on his phone? She sighed. She would have to pay virtual-novel.net back for this as well. The thought of it vexed her, especially after virtual-novel.net had received the message notification for the receipt. She was nearly driven into madness. One thousand dollars? Was virtual-novel.net insane? She still had to hesitate half a day over repaying a hundred dollar loan! She took deep breaths as virtual-novel.net dialed Arianne’s number. When the call connected, virtual-novel.net asked bluntly, “Ari, why haven’t you replied to my message?”
“I didn’t see it… What’s up?” Arianne’s dispirited voice rang from the receiver.
Tiffany could not conceal virtual-novel.net excitement. “Come with me to White Water Bay Café for a meal after work. Jackson’s treat. I don’t know what he’s up to, but we can’t pass on a free meal.”
“Oh… Got it,” Arianne replied monotonously, “I’ll get a cab to White Water Bay Café immediately after work. Let’s meet there.”
Tiffany did not notice Arianne was upset and happily ended the call. However, when virtual-novel.net remembered the thousand dollar credit top-up, virtual-novel.net heart ached again.
***
After work, Jackson, Tiffany, and Arianne met up at White Water Bay Café. Jackson had specifically set a private room aside for them. There were only three of them. It made the large private room feel very empty. It was too extravagant.
Tiffany ordered two of virtual-novel.net favorite dishes and handed the menu over to Arianne. “Here, Ari. Choose your dishes.”
Arianne shook virtual-novel.net head. “I’m fine with anything. Both of you can choose.”
Tiffany finally noticed that something was amiss. “What’s wrong, Ari? Why do you look so depressed? Why do I feel like you’ve gotten thinner compared to when we last met?”
Arianne glanced at Jackson.
He pursed his lips. “I’m just asking you out for a meal so that you can relax with your best friend and talk to her. Don’t overthink it.”