Lost Me Gained Regret



Debating whether to speak up first, Christine downed a glass of ice water and, clenching her teeth, burst out, "Dailey's out of his mind, you know!" I nodded in agreement.

If you like someone, just say it, right? Get it out in the open, start dating, and do all that couple stuff. What's happening now is just out of line, almost like he's acting like some sort of thug.

Anyone would be upset in this situation.

"Maybe we should call the cops on him."

"I want him to learn his lesson the hard way," Christine said, then paused, realizing something. "Wait, I didn't even tell you what he did. Why would you suggest calling the cops?"

"Ah, I get it."

She leaned back on the couch, arms crossed, looking at me with an inquisitive stare. "Were you spying on us from upstairs last night?"

""

I felt guilty; I had intended to go downstairs, but Gregory stopped me. I figured it was their issue, and as a friend, I shouldn't interfere too much.

"I messed up, so let me help you. I'll have a word with Gregory, maybe sway him a bit to take your side."

"But let's not go overboard. After all, Dailey has been a major help to us in the past."

Christine gave a sarcastic laugh. "You're sounding like Gregory's fiancée now, not the unconditional ally you used to be."

I touched my nose, feeling a bit awkward. "I'm just trying to be fair. We can't be too harsh, right? Wouldn't be right."

Christine was just blowing off steam.

After all, Dailey was a major client and Gregory's friend.

She didn't want to put her best friend in a difficult position.

"This time, I'll let it slide, as if I've been bitten by a dog. But if there's a next time, I'll make sure he loses face completely!"

I thought it over and decided to share a bit about Gregory's first love with her.

"Last night, I asked Gregory about it. He said it wasn't really love, just a teenage crush that got nipped in the bud by Dailey's grandfather." Christine shook her head. "Gregory's just pacifying you. Clarence told me last night that Gregory was so into his first love that he almost broke ties with his family over it."

"

I frowned. I was sure Gregory wouldn't lie to me; I had seen how hard our journey had been, every step of the way.

"Clarence's words aren't reliable, you know? Remember what he told you at Gregory's birthday last year? He tends to miss the mark on things."

Christine smiled. "You have a way with words. Been hanging around me too long, huh?"

I playfully slapped her arm. "I'm serious, though. It's your call. If you don't want anything to do with Dailey, I've got your back."

Christine grabbed a bunch of

grapes, spitting out the seeds as she

talked. Even if I wanted something,

he'd have to chase after me. I won't make the first move again, no more warm face to cold butt."

It was hard to picture Dailey chasing anyone. With his background, he was more the type to have people lining up for him. Christine was no slouch either, but Dailey was wealthy and not bad-looking. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"You might want to think about the class difference. We're doing okay, but would you be able to love him enough to take on the world? If not, it's not worth complicating your comfortable life."

Just then, Christine was about to get married when her phone rang with an unfamiliar number. Thinking it might be a client, she answered.

A familiar male voice, albeit a bit weak, came through.

"Christine..."

"I've got a fever."

Christine: ?

Christine, after a brief silence and with a formulaic coldness, replied, "Need me to call you an ambulance, Mr. Clarkson?"

Dailey: "..."