Rebirth: Love me Again

I shouldn't have been surprised that Michael recognized them.

In the United States, the Fay and Johnson family was practically royalty, their name spoken with a mix of reverence and envy.

Yet, my mind was racing with questions.

What were they doing here?

Had they actually discovered this hidden gem?

If they had, it would only be a matter of time before the place transformed into a hotspot, with their influence propelling Shinsei into the limelight.

Perhaps they were among the few who had invested in this place long before I did.

For people like them, born into unimaginable wealth, one of their rare indulgences was food—authentic, untainted, untouched by their gilded world.

It wouldn't surprise me if they had discovered Shinsei before I ever stumbled upon it, quietly staking their claim in its future while the rest of the city remained blind to its brilliance.

But now, here we were, in the same room, connected by this place. And somehow, that made it all the more unsettling.

"So you know them?" Michael finally asked as the trio took their seats, his voice dripping with intrigue.

I sipped my wine, desperately trying to maintain my composure. "No," I replied, the word slipping out too quickly, almost reflexively.

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Michael's skepticism was palpable. "The expression on your face says otherwise. Isn't that Cole Fay your fiancé?"

My breath hitched, and suddenly my appetite evaporated. "That's just a silly rumor. You know how everything works in our world." The words tasted bitter, like ash in my mouth.

Michael snickered, amusement dancing in his eyes. "I guess you have it rough too."

My tongue danced against my gums, a nervous habit that surfaced in moments of anxiety. "Haven't you heard? I'm quite infamous," I shot back, laughter tinged with sarcasm, but it felt hollow, a mask for the turmoil brewing beneath my calm exterior.

"Well then, now that we're finished, it's time for me to leave. I still have a lot to do in the lab, after all," Michael said, pushing his chair back to stand.

Without thinking, I instinctively reached out and grabbed his hand. The warmth of his skin startled me.

I was surprised. He was surprised. We were both shocked by the sudden contact.

I yanked my hand away, almost too quickly, and cleared my throat awkwardly. "What's the rush? You could stay and order more food," I blurted out, my voice a touch too casual.

Michael paused, studying me, and then a rare grin slowly spread across his face, transforming him into a mischievous devil. That grin—it was disarming, a playful, almost devilish charm lighting up his features in a way that could easily leave someone speechless. "Wait . . . you don't want me to leave because

they're

here, right?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

I internally cursed at how perceptive and infuriatingly sharp he was. Sometimes, I wished he weren't so damn smart.

"Of course not," I lied, but it came out far too flat. The truth was, I couldn't leave yet. I was still waiting for Claire—my broker who had secured a slew of land investments for me. That girl was running late, and now, with Cole and his entourage present, I felt like I was stuck in prison.

Michael, sensing my discomfort, smirked, relishing this rare moment of revenge. He had every right to savor it after all the times I dumped QuantumLyfe meetings on him, shoved piles of paperwork his way, and skirted my responsibilities while he handled it all. Now, it was his turn for payback.

His grin widened. "As much as I'd love to stay and enjoy this," he gestured at me with a gleeful flicker in his eyes, "I really need to go."

My eyes widened in disbelief. Michael could clearly see the predicament I was in, and yet, the heartless man was about to walk away and leave me to face it alone. How could he just leave me like this?

But no, he only chuckled darkly as he stood, shaking his head as if enjoying my misery. "You're a big girl now. I'm sure you can handle a little social situation like this. See you later."

And with that, he was gone, the door closing behind him with a soft click. The moment he left, the weight of frustration settled on my chest like a stone. I could feel their eyes on me now—Cole, Zachary, Ella—they were watching, and the tension in the air thickened by the second.

I could no longer focus on my phone as my fingers trembled, trying to dial Claire's number. I had to change the meeting place. I couldn't stay here, not with Cole in the same room. The world felt too small, shrinking with each second that passed. It had never felt more claustrophobic.

But before I could even lift the phone to my ear, Zachary's voice rang out, clear and insistent.

"Hey, Eve! Come join us!"

I froze. Of all the possible scenarios I had envisioned, this wasn't one of them. I cursed internally. Zachary and I weren't friends. Hell, we weren't even acquaintances. We were like air to each other, drifting past without any acknowledgment, and now he was calling me over?

Why now?!

I whipped my head toward their table, my heart pounding in my chest. Zachary was grinning at me like this was the most normal thing in the world. Ella beamed beside him, eyes bright with expectation, but it was Cole who caught my attention. His eyes . . . they were burning, piercing right through me, a silent accusation written in the sharp glare he directed my way.

What did I do now?

Forcing a smile, I mustered the gentlest voice I could, even though my nerves were fraying. "I'm waiting for someone," I said, hoping that would be enough to excuse myself from whatever trap they were setting.

Zachary didn't even flinch. "Good. Wait with us at our table," he insisted, his voice loud enough to draw attention from the other diners.

I swallowed hard. This was a power play. I could feel it in the way Zachary's smile widened, daring me to refuse. My brows furrowed slightly, but before I could say anything, he pressed on, his persistence unnerving. "Come on, Eve. It would look strange if you sat alone. We know each other, so it would make us look bad if you don't join us."

What kind of twisted logic was that?!