Filed to story: A Second Chance with My Billionaire Love
Xavier and I are best friends. I’m only staying because of him.”
“Hmph! Stop pretending. You know this isn’t what I’m talking about!” Seraphina uttered angrily.
Flossie was stunned for a moment. She then understood what Seraphina meant.
“That’s because there’s something in Beach City I can’t let go of. That’s why I came back,” Flossie answered truthfully.
“What is it? Halston?” Seraphina’s glare was like a sharp knife. “You were kicked out by Halston four years ago. Do you really think you can reclaim your spot now? You should know better than anyone that you don’t deserve him!”
“That aside, even if I can’t reclaim my spot, it won’t be yours for the taking either…” Flossie said.
“Shut up!” Seraphina was enraged by what Flossie said.
With a single push, Seraphina flipped the barbecue grill over, sending the white-hot charcoal tumbling all over them…
“Oww!!! It hurts!” A piece of hot charcoal landed on Seraphina’s foot and she yelped in pain.
The men, who were chatting out in the open, heard the noise, and they all came running. Everyone surrounded Seraphina.
“What happened? Why did the grill suddenly topple over? Were you two roasting skewers or yourself?” Xavier was confused by the chaotic scene.
“Stop your sarcasm already. Can’t you see that I burned my foot? Hurry up and help me out! What if it leaves a scar?” Seraphina grabbed her foot and clenched her jaws. She was nearly crying.
Moses risked taking a beating and continued to mock her. “It’s rare to see Seraphina in such a weak state. The charcoal has really done justice for us! N
Seraphina swung her fist in his direction. “Moses, how could you say that? Just you wait. I’m going to beat you up!”
Everyone quickly stopped her. They were all worried about her burned foot, and everyone was focused on her.
Christopher silently observed for a moment. “Seraphina, your wound looks serious. You should tend to it right away.”
“Exactly. Christopher, it hurts so bad…”
“Can you still walk?”
“I can’t. It hurts whenever I move. Forget about walking. Can anyone carry me?” Seraphina didn’t even give anyone the chance to volunteer. She directly pointed at Halston. “Halston, you and Christopher are the most reliable ones in the group. I wouldn’t dare order Christopher around. That’s why you’ll have to carry me!”
Halston was initially looking at Flossie, and he couldn’t hide the look of concern in his eyes.
It felt like he was caught cheating and quickly looked away. After that, he bent over and grabbed Seraphina’s arm. “I’ll tend to your wound.”
The others nervously followed along.
Apart from Xavier, nobody else asked about Flossie’s situation.
“Flossie, are you sure you weren’t burned?” Xavier took a few steps before turning around. He was a little worried.
“No.” Flossie smiled and shook her head calmly.
“That’s great!” Xavier watched Halston, and the others leave. His tone was somewhat affectionate. “In that case, I’ll go and check on Seraphina. We’ll all be in trouble if she gets upset. I’d better move quick!”
“Go ahead. I want to stay in the sun for a while.’ Flossie urged Xavier to leave.
When she was finally alone, she couldn’t help but frown.
She carefully rolled her sleeves up. There was a patch of skin the size of an egg on her left arm that was burned. It was just as bad as Seraphina’s foot.
“Damn! It hurts like hell!” She exclaimed through clenched jaws.
She was so unlucky today. Not only did Halston blackmail her into staying for the barbecue, but she even had to meet the crazy Seraphina and get scalded for no reason!
Being around Halston only ever brought her bad luck!
Flossie hesitated. She was thinking if she should leave while the rest were away. She’d then go to the nearest clinic to tend to her wound.
Suddenly, she was handed a tube of medicinal cream.
Flossie looked up expectantly, but a look of disappointment and surprise soon filled her eyes.
“Christopher?”
Christopher had his back to the sun. He looked like Prince Charming from the novel. “This is quite effective. Hurry up and use it. You don’t want any scars to form!”
“How did you know I…” Flossie had an awkward expression on her face.
She was trying hard to hide the amount of pain she was in earlier. It wasn’t because she was mentally strong, and it also wasn’t because her skin was too thick to feel any pain.
Instead, she just didn’t want to appear too insignificant next to Seraphina while everyone surrounded her.
“I noticed your facial expression wasn’t natural earlier. I figured that you were probably burned too, but I’m sure you have your reasons for not wanting it to be known,” Christopher said gently, like how an older brother would. He made Flossie feel very safe.
Flossie sighed and laughed bitterly. Without realizing it, she was opening up to him.
“You were all so worried about Seraphina. I didn’t want to steal her limelight. Besides, I’m not the kind of woman who’d cry over pain.” Years ago, when she lived in an environment full of love, she would openly express her vulnerability.
However, over the years, and after numerous experiences, she’d gotten used to being tough. She’d help herself feel better without needing a show of concern from others.
“Silly girl. Only babies who cry will get milk. If a girl is too tough, life gets very difficult…” Christopher sat next to Flossie. He was like a gentle autumn breeze. “Don’t think Seraphina is just a fierce girl. She’s actually very smart. She knows how to show her vulnerable side, and she’s also good at expressing her needs. That’s why we all spoil her rotten.”
“I can tell you all do spoil her rotten. In fact, I’m a little envious of her personality. She can find friends wherever she goes. It’s too hard for me,” Flossie said.
“Yeah. You’re very kind, but there’s always a feeling of distance. During the years you were married to Halston, we might have met very often, but we never got close. It’s such a shame, really.” Christopher, who was the oldest in the group, was much more experienced and mature. Although he rarely spoke, he was the best at judging a person’s character.
“You and Halston are actually quite alike. You’re both very stubborn. Once you make up your mind, it’s hard for you to change it. What a pity you two broke up…” Christopher could tell that neither Halston nor Flossie had moved on from the other.
Flossie didn’t say anything. Instead, she unscrewed the medicinal cream and silently smeared some of it on her wound.
The cool sensation stung her wound a little.
Flossie didn’t make a sound. Instead, she merely frowned.
“Ahh, didn’t I just tell you that only babies who cry can get milk? You really need to know how to show your vulnerability,” Christopher said with a sigh.
He had never seen a woman as stubborn as Flossie. She was clearly in a lot of pain, but she didn’t even make a sound.
“Of course, this is how I protect myself.” After applying the medicinal cream to her wound, she stood up. “Thank them for me. I’ll be making a move first.”
Christopher didn’t try to convince her to stay. “Are you sure you’ve given up on Halston?”
“Didn’t I tell you that I did that a long time ago?”
“I bet you can tell that Seraphina’s feelings for Halston aren’t purely platonic. She’s had a crush on him for many years. Now that she’s returned, she won’t give up easily…” Christopher was the only one in the group who’d discovered this secret.
Flossie shrugged nonchalantly. “It has nothing to do with me. I wish her the best of luck.”