3
Vanessa had never put this much effort into anything for me.
Even on my birthday, when I asked for a cake, she’d only complain impatiently, saying, “We’re adults–why bother with pointless formalities?“.
Yet here she was, going out of her way to prepare such a grand surprise for Griffin in front of everyone.
Turns out, people only put in effort for the ones they truly care about.
Scarlett Monroe observed my reaction, clearly satisfied by how much it stung.
She smirked, a sly, knowing smile that twisted like a thorn in my heart.
After the event, Vanessa and Griffin returned to the private suite together.
Scarlett immediately hooked her arm around Vanessa’s and teased, “Vanessa, pulling off such a big surprise for Griffin–aren’t you boyfriend will get jealous?”
Vanessa froze, then glanced at me. A flicker of guilt crossed her
“Next time, for your birthday or our anniversary, I’ll plan something just as big for you,” she said hesitantly.
I shook my head lightly. “Don’t bother.”
If it’s the same thing you’ve already done for someone else, how could it even count as a surprise?
I wasn’t about to accept someone else’s leftovers.
Vanessa pressed her lips together, as if she wanted to say more.
afraid your
Before she could, Griffin chimed in. “Logan, you’re not seriously upset, are you? Vanessa was just going along with the publicity plan. Don’t be so petty.”
“As her boyfriend, you should be more understanding. Don’t make her guess what’s on your mind all the time. That’s exhausting for her.”
Classic Griffin, always stepping up to defend Vanessa.
I let out a soft laugh. “With you looking out for her, why would
ever need anyone else?”
The words carried a sharp edge, freezing the room in an instant.
Griffin sighed dramatically, offering a resigned smile. “Alright, fine. If it makes you feel better, I’ll apologize. Don’t be mad at Vanessa.“”
e
The air hung heavy with awkwardness until someone broke in to lighten the mood. “Come on, we’re all teammates–no need for these formalities. Let’s drink!”
Scarlett, grinning mischievously, stepped into the center. “Today’s not the only story. Vanessa gave Griffin flowers yesterday too!”
She giggled and glanced at me, looking for confirmatio
Vanessa seemed to think Scarlett had pinpointed the issue. She
turned
- me. “You’re upset over something that trivial?”
Casually, she added, “I bought you flowers yesterday too, but you
left early, so I couldn’t give them to you. I still have them, though.”
11:10 AM
<
She walked to a corner of the suite, pulling out a small, wilted bouquet of lisianthus from a box filled with beer bottles.
The second she produced it, someone stifled a laugh.
It was painfully clear why–the lisianthus bouquet looked embarrassingly cheap next to the extravagant roses she’d given Griffin.
Griffin had even brought the roses along, making the comparison all the more glaring.
I could feel the mocking stares around me, silently ridiculing the idea that I could ever compare to Griffin.
Griffin raised his eyebrows smugly, a triumphant smirk plastered on his face.
Feigning disapproval, he glanced at the lisianthus and said, “Vanessa, you should’ve given Logan roses. Why this?”
The tone barely stopped short of outright saying she was tossing me scraps.
Vanessa replied indifferently, “It was late after the dinner last night. There weren’t any roses left. This will do. Anyway, he doesn’t know flowers–he shouldn’t care.”
The best for Griffin, and whatever’s left for me.
The difference between love and indifference couldn’t be clearer.
Why did she assume I wouldn’t care?
She held the flowers out to me, but I didn’t reach for them.
Vanessa’s brows furrowed again. “Don’t you like flowers anymore? I picked these especially for you.”
“No thanks,” I said flatly. “Give them to someone else.”
“You’re being ridiculous again,” she shot back.
“I’m not. I mean it. I have things to do, so I’ll leave you all to it.”
I opened the suite door and walked out without looking back.
I hadn’t taken more than a few steps before the whispers started behind me.
“Logan’s being so dramatic.”
“Griffin and Vanessa’s video is blowing up online. It’s brought in tons of sponsors for the studio–why is he so hung up on this?”
“Exactly.”
Vanessa, finally losing her patience, tossed the flowers aside. “Forget him. Let him sulk.”
Every harsh word cut into me like a blade.
I paused mid–step, a wave of sadness washing over me.
To her, I was utterly insignificant.
