"I don't think we had anything important between us for me to inform you."
Jake blinked, clearly taken aback. "Natalia? Why are you speaking like that? We are friends."
"Friends?" she echoed, a dry laugh slipping past her lips. "Look, Jake. I already told you that day. There was nothing between us to be saved. You ruined that so-called friendship. You seriously thought I was bluffing?"
Her voice wasn't loud, but the sarcasm in it was sharp enough to cut. A few people passing by slowed down, sensing the tension thickening in the air. The mall corridor suddenly felt smaller, heavier.
Jake's face darkened, anger and humiliation flashing across his features.
And then his eyes shifted.
They landed on Arthur.
It was as if he had only just noticed him standing there. Jake's gaze traveled slowly from Arthur's head to his shoes, a deliberate, assessing look that made Arthur's stomach tighten. There was no doubt about it, this guy hated him.
And Arthur had no idea why.
