Miao quickly called Rael after seeing the news online.
Alexander Gu Walker and Joy Min's Upcoming Engagement.
She was worried. Why was Xander getting married to someone else instead of her best friend?
Rael finally picked up the call.
(Hey…)
Miao's face fell when she saw Rael on the screen. She looked pale, with dark circles under her eyes and messy hair. It seemed like she hadn't gotten enough sleep in days.
"Twinnie! I saw the news. What the hell is going on? Why is Xander…?"
Rael forced a bitter smile.
(Me and Xan broke up…)
"What?" Miao's eyes widened. "Why? You two were in love! Why did you break up? What happened?"
Rael bit her lip.
(It's a long story, Twinnie.)
"Did Xan cheat on you?" Miao immediately became furious. "That asshole! I'm going to call him right now and make him explain everything!"
(No need, Twinnie. He didn't cheat.)
"Then why did you break up?"
Rael fell silent for a moment before answering.
(I'm the one who broke up with him.)
Miao froze. "Y-You did?"
Rael nodded.
(Yeah… I realized that we're worlds apart. I don't belong in his world. He's rich, while I'm just a commoner. He deserves someone better… someone who comes from a wealthy family just like him.)
"Twinnie!" Miao shouted, her voice filled with disbelief. "Since when did you start looking down on yourself like that?"
(Miao… let's just accept the fact that I'm not like you guys. You, Xander, Jinji, and Zol… In our group, I'm just the ordinary one.)
Miao felt a pang of sadness for her friend. She wanted to argue, but she knew Rael was hurting.
"Don't think like that," she said gently. "We love you, Rael."
Rael smiled faintly.
(I know… and I love you guys too. But… between Xan and me, it's really over. Let's just accept it.)
Miao sighed. "Then… what will you do now?"
(I'm going to the countryside for a while. Please don't tell Xan.)
Miao hesitated.
(Please…)
Miao sighed again. "Alright. I promise."
Just then, a man's voice came from another room. "Babe, have you seen my white jacket?"
Rael's brow immediately rose.
(Babe? That's a man's voice. Who's that?)
Miao smiled sweetly.
A moment later, Kan approached and stood behind her.
Rael's eyes widened the moment she saw him.
(Oh my God! I know him!)
Miao chuckled. "I forgot to tell you… I have a boyfriend now. I want you to meet Kan."
(Your boyfriend? That famous model?)
Miao nodded proudly. "Yes."
(Kyaaaah! I'm so happy for you!)
Rael suddenly became much more energetic than she had been moments earlier.
Miao turned toward Kan. "Babe, she's Rael, my best friend and twinnie—the one I've told you about."
"Hi," Kan greeted with a smile.
(Hi! I'm so happy Miao finally found you. I fully support your relationship! Please get married soon!)
Kan chuckled. "We will."
Miao's face immediately turned red.
(Hehehe! I won't take up any more of your time, Twinnie! I'm going to hang up now. I still need to pack my things. I'll call you later!)
"Okay. Take care, Twinnie."
The call ended.
For a moment, Miao stared at her phone, a hint of sadness returning to her eyes. She knew Rael was trying to sound cheerful, but she could tell her best friend was hurting.
Kan wrapped his arms around Miao from behind and gently hugged her. "Are you done with your things? It's time for us to leave."
Miao turned toward him and smiled. "Yeah. Let's go."
The couple left the condo unit together and headed toward the parking area.
While they were on their way to the shooting area, Miao scrolled through her phone.
"You're calling someone?" Kan asked.
"Yup. I'm going to call Xan—Rael's ex-boyfriend. I want to know why they broke up. They've been in love for so long, and now he's marrying someone else?" she said.
Miao called Xander.
Just like Rael, Xander looked like a mess when he answered the video call. His hair was disheveled, and there were dark circles under his eyes.
(Hey, Miao.)
"Xan, what the hell is going on?" she asked immediately. "I saw the news."
Xander sighed heavily.
(We broke up.)
"Why?"
(I was a coward. I became scared.)
"Xan, did your mom force you?"
(Miao, you know our family.)
"But, Xan…"
(My grandpa already approved my marriage to Joy. He said her family has a lot of connections and businesses in other countries. They're perfect for the Gu Empire. You know that once Grandpa makes a decision, you can't refuse.)
Xander lowered his gaze before continuing.
(I became a coward. And at the same time, I thought about Rael's future. If I refuse, they'll exile me from the family. I'll become poor. If Rael and I live together…)
He sighed once again.
(I don't want to see her suffer because of me.)
Miao sighed. She understood Xander completely.
The Gu family was powerful, and their grandfather was a terrifying man when he made up his mind.
"So… is it really over between you two?" she asked.
Xander ran a hand through his messy hair.
(I don't know…)
"Xan… don't you know that Rael is planning to go to the countryside?"
(W-What?)
Xander's eyes widened.
"I hope you two can get some closure before she leaves and before you get married."
(When is she leaving?)
"I'll text you the details."
(Thank you so much, Miao.)
She ended the call and sighed again.
How did it end up like this?
Kan noticed her frown. He wrapped an arm around her and gently kissed her forehead.
"Don't stress yourself too much. Relax for a while, okay?" he said.
Miao nodded and rested her head on his shoulder.