8. It's a bit ...

"What's the matter with you? You… will be matched huh?" Becky smirked at the change in her friend's face.

"No! I… I just… got to know a guy and we… we're just close friends at the moment. That's it." Aubrey replied with a bit of nervousness and embarrassment.

Becky smiled amusedly at her friend's flushed face.

"Dear Aubrey, how about we go on a double date? There was a very nice and quiet place. So you and your male friend can chat more freely without any distractions from envious people." Becky said.

"Envy? Who's jealous? I don't feel like I'm a celebrity that everyone can envy." Aubrey replied originally.

"It's not everyone, but there is one person who will be heartbroken if you have a boyfriend." Becky replied with a chuckle.

"Who?"

"The man behind you has been listening to our conversation," Becky answered in a whisper.

Aubrey spontaneously turned around and Tom was shocked to see Aubrey turn around quickly. The man smiled softly and said, "Hi, I just sat down. I don't know what you're talking about." Tom answered.

Aubrey narrowed his eyes and Tom immediately sat back in his chair and focused his attention on the laptop in front of him.

"Huh, he has always liked you but you don't want to accept his love," Becky answered plainly and honestly.

"WHAT? I only think of him as a teacher and a friend. I never gave him any special attention. After all, he is Chesa's ex-girlfriend." Aubrey replied with a sinister smile.

"Is that true? Wow, I just found out about that. Yes, what was my suggestion? You ask your close friend then call me. I'll book a place for the four of us later." Becky replied with a happy smile.

"Okay, I'll tell you when it's done." Answered Aubrey.

Teaching hours are over and they are separated. Aubrey is picked up by her boyfriend, Michael. Their long-standing relationship has never made Aubrey jealous though. For some reason, Aubrey actually felt sorry for Becky. The blonde woman felt that Michael was not a good man. However, she couldn't possibly say that to Becky because her friend loved her boyfriend so much.

Aubrey went straight home to change her clothes. She wanted to go to his coffee shop but couldn't in the formal attire she was wearing now.

"Well, it seems that someone is happy because she had met her future in-laws." Just as Aubrey stepped into the house, she was suddenly greeted with sarcastic words spoken by her stepmother, Patricia.

Aubrey didn't care and didn't think about it. The young lecturer continued her steps towards her own room.

"Hey, you are of no manners! Is this how a teacher treats parents?" Patricia was furious that she was being ignored by her stepdaughter. Aubrey smiled sarcastically and turned around.

"The way I treat someone depends on how she treats me." Aubrey replied with an expressionless face." Patricia clenched her fists tightly in annoyance. This woman hates her stepdaughter very much and wants to kick her out of the house so she can control Aubrey's father and this house for her and her only child, Chesa. But unfortunately, Aubrey is not a weak woman and is easily bullied. Plus, her husband doesn't easily believe what she says.

"Tch, if it wasn't for this house being the only legacy from my mother, I would be lazy to live here. I can live outside by living in a coffee shop or rented house near campus." Aubrey muttered in annoyance. This is not the first time that mother and daughter have always provoked Aubrey's emotions into being rude and cruel so that they have a reason to complain to Aubrey's father and throw her out of the house.

Aubrey immediately went to the bathroom to clean herself and change clothes. Her hair, which was still half wet, was let loose and made her face look fresher. Aubrey wears a casual t-shirt with loose-fitting jeans. Aubrey's body is similar to the model but unfortunately, the height does not support it because she is only about 165cm. With her sling bag and pet hat, Aubrey walked out of the house to her own coffee shop. Aubrey started her car and drove to the business she had started when she was in college.

Arriving in front of the coffee shop, Aubrey immediately entered through the back door which she deliberately made so as not to be seen by the visitors in the shop.

"Boss, just rest first. There aren't that many visitors yet so the two of us can still take care of it." Liza replied with a cheerful smile. The two employees are tough, smiling, and don't like to complain. Aubrey feels lucky to have Christin and Liza as her employees.

"I'll wear an apron first." Aubrey smiled and immediately went into the employee restroom to change.

Aubrey loves spending time hereafter every lecture. The woman with blonde hair never takes a nap or rests at home. Home for her will never be comfortable as long as there are still two women who hate her to death and try to throw her out of the house.

"Hey, boy. You want to order as usual?" Christin greeted the white-haired man who had just entered and headed straight for the cashier.

"Oh y-yes, as usual. I will sit in my usual place." Said the man who was none other than Liam, Aubrey's future husband who is now pretending to be his girlfriend for only three months.

"All right, I'll take your order," Christin said with a big smile.

"You seem very familiar with that man." Liza, who had just finished delivering customer orders, saw her friend smiling to herself while making coffee.

"Do you know? Actually, he's handsome but it's a shame it's a bit…" Christin knitted her brows.

"Stupid?" Liza added.

"Shh, don't be so loud. Later you hear other visitors." Christin replied, pursed her lips.

Aubrey who overheard the conversation of his two employees from behind sighed. Little do they know that Liam is the man who will be her boyfriend in three months. From now on, she had to act like a boyfriend but it was very difficult for Aubrey to do because she had no security in being in a relationship with a man before.

"Are you guys still busy?" Aubrey came out from the back and immediately joined two of his employees.

"Hey, boss, no boss. I will deliver this drink and food to the man sitting at the end." Christine said.

"Go, I'll take care of the cashier." Answered Aubrey.

"Okay boss," The two employees spread to the visitor area. Some have just arrived, some want to order, and some have asked for the bill.

Aubrey glanced at the corner table and found Liam seriously drawing with his sketchbook and pencil.