Chapter 40 - Knock on the Door
Chloe's eyes lit up. For a moment, she felt saved.
She quickly found Leo's WhatsApp.
Seeing the old chat history, she bit her lip, a flash of embarrassment crossing her face.
After mentally bracing herself, she sent Leo a message.
-
In the private room next door.
Ryder was chatting with Luna about gossip from his school.
Luna listened, enthralled. The two of them went back and forth, talking with the energy of eight people.
Leo ate in silence the whole time.
Until his phone on the edge of the table buzzed.
Leo finally showed a reaction.
He picked up the phone and looked.
SleepyCeCe: [Leo, I'm sorry. I was too angry this morning and said some nonsense.]
Leo stared at the phone for a long time: [Okay.]
SleepyCeCe: [Leo, what are you doing right now?]
Luna noticed him checking his phone. She glanced at him. "Leo, what are you doing?"
"Chloe messaged me," Leo said.
Ryder swallowed the gossip he was about to share. "Huh? She still has the nerve to message you?"
"Yeah." Leo casually typed "eating" and sent it back. "She asked what I'm doing right now."
Luna took a calm sip of water. "Want to bet?"
Leo looked up at her. "Bet what?"
Luna said, "She's going to ask you for a favor soon."
Ryder chimed in. "Yeah, I agree. Chloe never shows up unless she wants something. She only acts sweet when she needs your help."
Leo didn't say whether he believed it or not. After replying, he tossed the phone aside, ate a few bites of fried rice, then picked it up again.
SleepyCeCe: [What are you eating?]
Leo: [Fried rice.]
SleepyCeCe: [Must be really good, right?]
Leo: [Not bad.]
SleepyCeCe: [When you're done, could you do me a favor?]
Leo startled.
Called it.
Leo: [Sure. Let me finish eating first.]
SleepyCeCe: [Okay.]
-
Chloe stared at her phone, trapped in anxious waiting.
She waited about ten more minutes. Just as she was about to rush Leo, Mia came back from the restroom and said, "Clo, guess who I saw in the hallway?"
Chloe snapped, "Who?"
Mia wanted to tease her. "Take a guess."
"I'm not guessing. Say it or don't," Chloe said, irritated.
Mia's smile stiffened. She swallowed her irritation and said, "Ryder."
"Ryder?"
Chloe froze.
Ryder couldn't even afford a single dish here, let alone a whole meal.
Which meant Leo was here too.
The realization hit Chloe, and excitement surged through her. She opened the camera app, checked her reflection, confirmed her makeup was still flawless, then got up and knocked on the door of the private room next door.
A knock came from outside. Ryder had just sat down and jumped back up. "I'll get it."
"Forget it." Leo gestured for him to sit down, then called out, "Just come in."
Hearing the familiar voice, a flicker of hesitation crossed Chloe's mind. But that killer bill quickly crushed it.
She pushed the door open, wearing a flawless smile. She spotted Leo right away and said, wounded, "Leo, you haven't finished eating yet?"
Leo's chopsticks paused. He hadn't expected her to show up in person.
"Is there something you need?"
How was he still playing dumb?
Chloe frowned, displeased.