<b>Chapter </b><b>180 </b>


    I was utterly humiliated!


    This was the second time!


    The first time, I had walked in on Josh stepping out of the shower. This time, I was fantasizing about him, and he caught me in the act.


    I thought, ‘I suspect he did this on purpose. I knocked on that door for ages–why did he only open it <i>now</i>?‘


    At this moment, the only way to avoid embarrassment was to pretend I was drunk and then act like I cked out.


    That way, I would not feel embarrassed–the awkwardness would be his problem instead.


    “Jasmine, someone is here. Look, he is right inside,” I said casually, pretending I had said nothing out of the ordinary, as I gestured toward Josh.


    Jasmine’s lips twitched. She looked at Josh with secondhand embarrassment and said, “She drank too much.”


    “I am not drunk,” I replied, ying along with Jasmine’s act.


    After all, people who are actually drunk never admit to it.


    Jasmine pinched my waist lightly and said, “Oh, right. You only had a ss of red wine–how could you possibly be


    drunk?”


    I was at a loss for words.


    A friend could stab you in the back!


    Jasmine, my most trusted and steadfast best friend, had betrayed me right in front of my face.


    I did not even dare look at Josh, but he was looking at me and asked, “Did you need something from me?”


    “N–No, nothing,” I stammered as I turned around and pushed Jasmine toward my little door.


    “I need to talk to you,” Josh’s voice sounded behind me.


    I wanted to bury my head in Jasmine’s back and disappear. Instead, I said, “I feel dizzy. Whatever it is, let’s talk


    tomorrow.<i>” </i>


    I dove straight into my small room without giving him another chance to speak.


    “Look at you, such a coward,” Jasmineughed as soon as she shut the door.


    I red at her–my face burning with frustration–while sheughed shamelessly. “If you have the desire, you should have the courage. Now that the truth is out, the next step is easy: open both doors, share one bed, and forget about Mr. Dolton.”


    13:01 Thu, 21 Aug


    ? ?,31%L


    Faced with Jasmine’s teasing, I pushed her away in exasperation and cried, “Get out! Leave now! We are done being friends!”


    ”


    “If you ever sleep with Josh, you better give me a huge gift as a thank you,” Jasmine said, genuinely hoping to set


    us up.


    After Jasmine left, my face still felt hot. I kept listening for any noise from the room across from mine, terrified that Josh woulde knocking.


    Actually, I hade back today specifically to find him–to ask about the people who had surrounded him earlier and to check if there were any updates on his father’s ident.


    But now…


    ‘How could I possibly face him and ask?‘ I wondered.


    In the end, Iy down on the couch and fell asleep amid my embarrassment, anxiety, and unease.


    That night, I slept on the couch, waking up at dawn, around five o’clock, to the sound of the door across the hall opening and closing.


    Josh was up. I thought, ‘But was he leaving, or just going for a morning run?‘


    I ran to the window and saw him outside with a backpack, riding his bike away.


    ‘He bikes this far every day?


    ‘This is the first time I’ve noticed,‘ I thought.


    But with him gone, I breathed a sigh of relief–at least I did not have to worry about running into him and facing yesterday’s awkwardness.


    Around noon, just as I finished my work at the office and was about to investigate the identity of the big boss, Jasmine called me.


    Remembering how she had set me up yesterday, I clenched my teeth as I answered, “Miss Glisson…”


    Before I could say another word, Jasmine cut me off and said, “Zoe, Thea came in for an abortion. What’s going on?”


    My nerves tightened, and I instantly sobered up. Recalling our conversation at the café, I asked, “Did she go through with it?”


    <b>Chapter </b>181