Chapter 2

As I stepped out of the company after work in the evening, I saw him standing outside. Dressed in a suit, he had a handsome face and a tall and strong figure with excellent body proportions, just like a model on the runway. Passersby couldn't help but look at him. 

it were any other day, I would have gone up to him and asked him to get in the car to keep others from looking at him. 

But this time, I just wanted to pretend I didn't see him. 

I walked towards the station on my own, and Alex quickly caught up with me. He didn't mention the incident and said calmly, "It's Jason's birthday today. He invited us to have dinner together. " I stopped and looked at him. "Sure. "

We got in the car, and there was a silence inside. 

The wind blew in from outside the window, and I smelled a faint scent of jasmine. 

It was the scent of Vivian. 

The scent wasn't unpleasant. On a whim, I asked, "Do you like the smell of jasmine?"

Alex's eyes flickered slightly. "It's okay. "

"Really?" I thought, "Then why have I always smelled this scent on you before?"

I didn't say anything more. 

We arrived at the agreed hotel, where they had been waiting for a while. 

Seeing us come together, Vivian was obviously surprised. 

"Good evening, Alex, Isabella. We've been waiting for you for a long time. "

I smiled indifferently and looked at Jason. "I'm sorry. I came in a hurry and didn't bring a gift. " Jason is Alex and Vivian's childhood friend. Alex always took me with him to their gatherings, and gradually we became acquainted. 

"I've given him a gift. You don't need to feel sorry. "

Alex led me to the table. 

The remaining two seats were opposite each other. I didn't know if they arranged it on purpose. I let go of his hand and walked straight to the seat opposite. 

Alex's expression changed slightly, but he didn't say anything and sat down next to the empty seat beside Vivian. 

I knew what his friends were thinking. 

They never approved of Alex and me being together and were always cold to me. 

Before, I wanted to get along with them, and I would give them gifts I carefully selected for every holiday. 

But I've never seen anyone really use the things I gave them. They probably didn't want to accept me from the bottom of their hearts. 

I was too naive to see such an obvious thing until now. 

I didn't say a word and ate quietly. 

Alex chatted with them with ease, peeling shrimp without stopping. 

He never eats seafood unless someone peels the shell for him, and he will reluctantly try a bit because he finds it troublesome to peel it himself. 

However, he didn't mind the trouble now. He peeled a whole plate of shrimp, moved it in front of Vivian, and then slowly took a wet wipe and wiped his hands carefully. 

This was a treatment I had never had. 

Seeing this, I felt depressed. 

I decided to let him go, but I still felt sad when I really saw him like this. 

Jason also noticed his actions. He looked at my expression and nudged Alex, teasing, "Don't favor one over the other. Peel some shrimp for your girlfriend too. "

Alex seemed to realize it for the first time, looked at the empty plate on the table, and said, "Order another plate. "

"No. " I took a sip of my drink and said calmly, "I don't like shrimp. "

"How about fish then?"

"I don't like it. "

Alex looked at the table, his eyebrows slightly wrinkled. "What about chicken?"

"I don't like it either. "

He looked surprised, seemingly not expecting me to say this without hesitation. 

Meeting his gaze, I took a napkin calmly, wiped my mouth, and added, "I don't like anything you

said. "

"Isabella, are you angry?" Vivian said cautiously, "Why don't you eat this plate of shrimp? Please don't be angry with Alex. "