Chapter 1179: Dignity (part three)

"I wish you wouldn't do it. I worry about you every time you get in that formula one." Leena could understand what the attraction was. Out there on the track, with speed and passion, straining the limits of machine and man. It was a way to blow off a lot of stress, she knew. But it always made her heart beat faster in worry to think of her friend crashing.

"Silly girl, what could happen? Don't you trust my skills?" Patricia said with a pretentious smile. She was one of the top three racers in the competition although she didn't get the grand prize. It was a good score, and definitely something to be proud of.

It's not about trust. Accidents happen. I just worry about you." Patricia was her BFF and she didn't want anything bad to happen to her.

This race is international. I don't want to give it up. It could mean big things," Patricia said with a bitter smile. She was fairly rich, and her family was well-educated. The world was her oyster, so why do something so dangerous? But she was the only one who understood why. Her life was boring. Her family was boring. She caught the rebellion bug, as bored teens often did, and started racing. Small-time at first, but she was hooked on the rush. Now, she was after bigger prizes.

"But, your family will figure it out sooner or later," Leena said anxiously, frowning.

"What about yours?" Patricia asked. "Does your family know what you did?" Patricia shot a meaningful glance at Leena. From the bottom of her heart, she wanted to be like Leena, carefree, able to pursue her dreams. But that was denied for her, so she chose to race cars.

"What did I do?" Leena asked with a puzzled face. She had nothing to hide from her family.

You know. You got married! You brother loves you so much that I can't believe he actually let you do it. So you must be hiding it from him, right?" Patricia asked and stared at Leena smugly. She wanted to see how long Leena could pretend to be cool in front of her. She totally had it wrong, though.

"Sorry to disappoint you. My family already knows. I have no secrets," Leena said with a sly grin. 'Huh!' She thought to herself. She knew this would shock her friend. That was the point.

"No way! I remember your brother even stopped other guys from looking at you, bullying them until they backed down. How could he accept that you're married?" Patricia said and looked at Leena with surprise. She always thought Mr. Cold would keep his sister at home forever, a virgin. To her surprise, Leena married at an earlier age than anyone else. There was a saying: "man proposes but God disposes." In the end, sometimes something surprising happens, out of everyone's control.

"Don't you know the saying: 'act first and report afterwards?'" Leena said and took a sip of the fresh coffee. She had no need to hide anything. She knew it was a whirlwind romance, but it still made her the happiest woman on earth.

"Bad girl, I'm not going to let you off the hook so easily. Tell me. Why didn't I even hear the tiniest rumor about your marriage? I was worried that you would end up dying alone," Patricia said and glared at Leena. It wasn't the first time and probably wouldn't be the last. Patricia was like that.

Hehe! You know me so well. I love Cappuccino," Leena said, taking the cup and sipping the coffee. She concentrated on this, which was more comfortable than Patricia's burning gaze.

"Don't try to change the subject. Why am I the last one to know about your wedding?" Patricia got even angrier. Even her classmate, the guy she set Leena up with, knew it before she did. Some friend!

"I had to find a good opportunity to tell you," Leena murmured. 'Can't this girl lower her voice?' she thought to herself. Everyone in the coffee shop was looking at them now. Patricia got carried away and didn't care who knew. The normally dull roar of casual conversation had died down, as people were trying to figure out why this woman was yelling.

What a lame-ass excuse! Good opportunity my ass! I don't think you were even going to tell me." Patricia didn't lower her voice, instead, she said it even louder. The coffee shop got even quieter, most patrons were now interested in what was going on.

"Wow, calm down, girl. Let's not start any drama," Leena said and looked around awkwardly. She lowered her head when she found people were looking at them like that. The last thing she wanted was to be the center of awkward attention.

What is drama? Can you eat it, or sell it? No, you can't. So why should I give a rat's ass?"

Patricia said in a reckless tone, rolling her eyes. She raised her eyebrow and thought, 'what a hypocrite.'

"Hey, enough with the language. We're in a public place. Please stop saying 'ass' so much," Leena said, frowning. She must be nuts to agree to meet here. If she knew Patricia was going to fly off the handle like this, she would have selected a place they never went to.

"You think 'ass' is a rude word? Then don't fart," Patricia said, and looked at Leena, daring her to say something. Patricia acted all high and mighty, so it was like the loser won the game. Leena felt very depressed at this exchange, but she could do nothing. The only thing she could do was to swallow her anger and bleed inside. Her friend was browbeating her into submission.