Chapter 2

"Babe, is everything okay?"

I looked at my boyfriend, Adrian, and forced a smile.

"Yeah. I just really like the food here."

I pretended to focus on my plate, but my eyes darted to the other side of the restaurant.

I had just spotted Vanessa and her friends walking in.

Adrian smiled, cutting a piece of steak and placing it on my plate.

"Take your time. If you like it, I'll bring you here again next time."

I nodded and smiled, but I couldn't relax.

Hearing my mother's loud laughter from across the room, I wanted to pay the bill and leave with Adrian immediately.

But before I could say anything, a familiar voice drifted over.

My heart sank. There was no hiding now.

"Oh my gosh, Chloe! Who is this? Is he your coworker?"

Vanessa’s eyes sparkled as she stared at Adrian. She put a hand over her mouth, playing coy.

"Chloe, why didn't you tell me you had such a handsome coworker?"

Adrian looked at her, then at me. He remained perfectly polite.

"Hello. You must be Chloe's friend."

Hearing this, Vanessa smiled even wider. She slid right into the booth, sitting right next to Adrian.

"Friend? Oh, no. I'm Chloe's mother!"

As she moved, the sickeningly sweet scent of her peach perfume filled the air around us.

"Oh! Nice to meet you, Mrs. Miller," Adrian said. "I'm Chloe's boyfriend. We were actually planning when to come over and introduce myself properly. I didn't expect us to run into each other like this."

Ever since my mother walked over, I had been staring at her.

So, I didn't miss the flash of annoyance in her eyes when Adrian said he was my boyfriend.

Adrian was handsome and had a polite, gentlemanly vibe. I knew exactly what my mother was thinking.

She thought I didn't deserve him.

"Mom, your friends are waiting for you," I said, trying to stop her.

She was using her status as my mother to sit incredibly close to Adrian. And because she was my mom, Adrian didn't suspect a thing. If I hadn't spoken up, her hand would have probably landed on his shoulder.

Vanessa was clearly displeased by my interruption. She pulled her hand back and sat up a bit straighter.

"I'm just so happy to meet your boyfriend for the first time! Chloe, out of all the guys you've dated over the years, he is definitely my favorite."

She winked at Adrian. "And the most handsome."

My face fell. Adrian’s smile also tightened.

After all, no guy wants to hear about his girlfriend's ex-boyfriends from her mother.

"Mom!" I spoke up again, my voice sharp. "Those were just friends. Adrian is my first boyfriend."

But Vanessa just giggled and gave me a knowing look. "Oh, right~ Is that what you told Adrian? Don't worry, Adrian, she's right. You're definitely her first love. My bad, I must have misremembered."

I felt a surge of pure anger.

"Adrian, I'm full. Let's go," I said, standing up.

Adrian looked at me, then back at my mother with an apologetic smile. Hearing my words, Vanessa looked deeply hurt, though she still tried to act magnanimous.

"It's fine. I shouldn't have interrupted and made Chloe angry. Adrian, you two go ahead."

I dragged Adrian out of the restaurant. Vanessa didn't try to stop us.

But I knew she only did that to keep up her image of being a perfect, sweet mother in front of Adrian.

She loved competing with other women, and her ultimate goal was always to get men's attention—no matter who the man was.