I Am Not Your Rival

The black sugar cubes were the final solution. There was no going around it.

Yanmei ended up scratching her head, knowing it was all her fault. Now, instead of smiling at cute rainbow sugar cubes, the customers will fear their sweeteners.

While Anton was cooling down his temper, they both maintained a period of silence, just merely drinking their coffee and eating their pastry.

After Anton was finished with his hot drink, he said, "So? Are you amenable to forgetting what happened last Friday?"

Yanmei was utterly disappointed at Anton. He absolutely did not know how to ask for forgiveness. However, she was not a difficult person to deal with. She rolled her eyes before answering, "Just forget about it. I know how one can get upset sometimes... I supposed you owe me the same courtesy."

He pressed his lips together and nodded his head. "Fair enough. Now... You have to see mother again. She is bored and in need of a companion... and she is constantly bothering me about what happened."

"Now, girl. I hope this is not about your mother forcing you. I honestly hope this was your sincere effort," Yanmei said as she folded her arms together.

Anton's eyes squinted at her. She once again called him "girl" and worse, she doubted him. He leaned forward and slowly enunciating the words, "You - have no idea - how - much of an effort - this is for me."

She saw his eyes nearly closed while Anton tried to convince her further. Eventually, she shrugged and said, "Okay! Let it be and sure, I'll answer to Mommy Soon's calls and her requests... I hope no more accusing next time."

Yanmei finished the last piece of her pastry and checked the time. She said, "Oh my... Time runs really fast. I think we better get back. I have work to do, and Yeona and I will be working on some documents after work."

His mouth twitched before saying, "Yeona."

"Yes, Yeona. She is my assistant, so it's natural that we work together - accompany each other once in a while!" Yanmei explained, knowing he may still think there was something between her and Yeona.

"So, if Yeona is not your type. What is your type of woman?" asked Anton after clearing his throat. As he said this, he pretended to look at his phone.

'Oh, my gosh! Wait… wait.' She told herself in panic before saying out loud, "The assistant that came to your office on my first day and… The actress - Baek Hei-ran?"

Anton's face turned dark, hearing the name he had sworn to detest since college. His thought said, ' I am a better choice than Baek Hei-ran.' However, what came out was, "I am better than Baek Hei-ran!"

"Pfft! Haha!" Yanmei laughed without hold for seconds and only slowed down after catching her breath. She fanned her watery eyes and said, "Of course, girl! You are way much better... You are so fine that you blow my mind!"

Her answer gave Yeong complete cofusion. He began to wonder if it meant that Yanmei was considering him better than Baek Hei-ran or she was just joking. He asked himself, 'Can a lesbian turn straight after all?'

When he realized his thoughts went overboard, he scolded himself, 'Yeong stop it now! So what if she turns straight or not?'

Just as he was thinking this, the person they were talking about came inside the cafe. "Oppa! You are here!"

Anton literally wished he could spit out blood in front of this woman. Baek Hei-ran came walking towards him, swaying her hips with an effort, flaunting her curves. She was immediately irked at the sight of Yanmei.

Her hands clenched into a fist. Never had Anton been seen with a woman, let alone have coffee or have a decent conversation with him. She asked herself, 'What makes this woman so special?'

Baek Hei-ran looked at Yanmei from head to toe after lowering her shades. Deep inside, she was furious. She found Yanmei attractive, and it scared her.

Despite secretly acknowledging Yanmei's charm, she raised her brow and asked Anton, "Oppa, who is this woman? Has she been bothering you?"

She then turned to Yanmei saying, " Excuse me, but Anton does not like to spend time with cheap women."

Yanmei was earlier smiling at the actress that stepped inside the cafe, but after hearing her insult, she placed a hand on her mouth while both her eyes grew wide. She asked, "Cheap women?"

"Show respect to anyone I am with! She is not what you think but one of my managers!" Anton said firmly. He wondered if he will ever get tired of this woman's lack of etiquette.

"Excuse me, Ms. superstar, but just because you are rich and famous, you can just talk to anybody that way," said Yanmei. She then looked at Anton and said, "I want to go back to the office now."

"Already getting up," said Anton, ignoring Baek Hei-ran completely.

"Oppa!" She called to him, holding his arm, but Anton was quick to push her hand away. He rushed outside the cafe, not looking back.

Anton could not remember when Baek Hei-ran started calling him "oppa" but he hated it the most. It gave the wrong impression to others that they had a special relationship.

Yanmei was still getting her bag when Anton walked out of the coffee shop. When she was about to walk past Baek Hei-ran, she felt a hand on her arm.

"Listen to me well, woman. If you steal Anton away from me, you are going to experience hell! Stay away from him, you understand me?" She threatened Yanmei without hesitation. Her beautiful face turned into monstrous.

She had been after Anton for as long as she could remember. She was not just about to give him up to a newcomer.

Yanmei let go of her arm and said, "The truth is, I am not your rival, but if you challenge me that much I don't mind playing a game with you."