Chapter 12: Lunch, Lies, and the Price of Friendship
After a few minutes of consoling her which, to be completely honest, was just me promising her food and snacks like she was a toddler and not a full grown woman Mei finally calmed down. I could literally see the storm clouds in her eyes dissolve into soft cotton candy just at the mention of "I will buy you lunch."
The human brain is truly simple when food is involved.
…
A few minutes later…
I changed into something casual but still expensive enough to scream "old money" without actually having any giant logos. A black Chanel tweed mini skirt that hugged just right without looking like I was trying too hard. a baggy, logo free Balenciaga sweater in cream white the kind that feels like it could double as an emotional support blanket. On my wrist, a gold Cartier Love bracelet that caught the light every time I moved, and hanging from my shoulder, a small brown Hermes mini bag that probably cost more than the average rent in most cities.
For sunglasses, I grabbed a pair of black DiorSoLight frames, oversized enough to make me look like a mix between a celebrity avoiding paparazzi and someone who hasn't slept in two days and to complete the look I put on a pair of beown hetmes Oran sandals.
When I finally stepped outside, Mei was waiting for me already bouncing on her feet like an impatient puppy. Without wasting a second, we headed toward the restaurant.
…
[At the Restaurant]
"So, what do you want to eat, Mei?" I asked politely, already flipping through the menu.
Turns out I asked too late.
Because Mei was already on first name terms with the waiters and not just a polite excuse me sir, kind of familiarity no, she was calling them by their actual names, smiling like she came here every day and probably knew the owner's birthday. She even leaned in to one of them like they were old drinking buddies.
Suspicious, I thought.
I decided to push that aside and order for myself, but then my eyes caught something.
The bill.
The bill per person.
"One thousand one hundred and fifty dollars… per person?"
I blinked, then I blinked again, because surely my brain was glitching. I read it once, twice and even three times, like maybe the numbers would rearrange themselves out of shame, but they didn't.
Trying to be subtle, I set my phone down and coughed lightly to get Mei's attention. But when I looked up, my soul almost left my body.
Half her plate was gone.
Already.
She had been speedrunning her food while I was still mentally preparing my bank account for the trauma it was about to endure.
The audacity.
At that moment, I deeply regretted agreeing to treat her to lunch. I had completely forgotten that this body wasn't just "rich," it was crazy rich, and so were all her friends. Of course their taste in restaurants would match their income bracket.
Sigh.
Just when I was getting excited about all the assets this body had, I remembered that the expenses would be just as extravagant.
Still, I had work to do I needed to find an architect.
"Hey, Mei Mei, you said you know me can you tell me where you know me from?" I asked, trying to sound casual but watching her reaction like a hawk.
Mei's POV
When Yunyun said she was going to take me out for lunch, I was excited. Like, genuinely excited and honestly, there was no better place to go than our place the restaurant we used to sneak off to as kids.
I thought maybe, just maybe, she will remember something if we came here. Us sitting across from each other, the smell of the food, the familiar clink of the silverware but nothing.
And then the nerve she asked me to explain how I knew her. Like, how? Does she expect me to pull out a whole photo album? Besides we were both probably too young then to remember. "Sigh" I shouldn't get angry after all she did lose her memory.
So, I decided to be the mature one and tell her.
"To be truthful, I don't remember exactly how we met," I admitted, "but I do remember we used to be close friends. We went to the same kindergarten, the same middle school, and the same high school. But because I told you Li Shen wasn't a good match for you, you got really angry at me. I never got the chance to apologize because I went abroad to study. It's been a few years since then, and when I heard your marriage with Li Shen was canceled, I came back immediately and no I didn't come to rub it in. I just wanted to comfort you and I am sorry about the wedding, It must have been a sore spot.
I hoped she'd understand.
I took a sip of my drink, pretending not to watch her too closely.
"Oh, also…" I added, "I heard Madam Li say you were looking for an architect."
Nyx's POV
Her explanation made sense. I sat there thinking about it for a moment, sipping on my drink. I understood now the pieces fit.
"I understand it now," I said, finally breaking the silence. "Thanks for explaining it and hey you were right about Li Shen we weren't a good match. Just wished I had listened to you sooner."
Then I leaned forward slightly, lowering my voice.
"About that architect I am still looking for one. Do you perhaps know someone who designs bunkers and safe houses?"
Mei's POV
Her words made my eyes sparkle before I could even stop myself.
Did I know one?
I was one.
I mean, yes, I'd always been obsessed with apocalypse scenarios zombies, end of the world survival plans, the works. I even told her once that one day the world would end, and the undead would roam the streets. She laughed at me then, thought it was a joke. Sure, my obsession came from watching way too many apocalypse movies and reading too many survival novels… but still.
I wanted to just shout, "Yes, I am exactly the person you're looking for!"
But I decided not to cringe her out.
Pinching my thigh under the table to calm myself, I smiled lightly and spoke with a voice that sounded almost like a wince.
"I don't know one, people don't really study that kind of thing and besides, what do you want with one anyway?"
Her response was shocking
To be continued...