Gun walked into the chic restaurant, his steps confident, yet a sense of unease weighed down his usually confident stride. He hadn’t seen Jane in almost seven years, and the thought of rekindling a friendship that had ended so messily in university seemed both absurd and amusing. The hostess led him to a small corner table, where Jane was already seated, her elegant frame draped in a designer dress, her signature red lipstick unmissable.

  When she saw him, she fshed that same smile he remembered—bright, confident, but with an edge of mischief. Gun couldn’t help but smirk as he sat down across from her. There’s tension between them, but not entirely uncomfortable.

  “Gun,” she began, her voice smooth as silk, “I’m really gd you came. It’s been too long.”

  He simply nodded, watching her with little curiosity. Seven years had passed, but Jane seemed untouched by time, still radiating that unshakable confidence she’d always had. “So, what is this about, Jane? Why now?” he asked, cutting straight to the point.

  Jane tilted her head, letting out a soft ugh. “I’m not stupid anymore, Gun. I know what I did back then was childish, and I wanted to fix things between us.” Her eyes softened, almost pleading, but Gun wasn’t convinced.

  He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “I’m not sure why you’d want to ‘fix’ anything. What’s in it for you?” His tone was cool, but the amusement in his eyes made her shift uncomfortably.

  Jane blinked, clearly not expecting the directness. “I’ve changed, Gun. I’ve grown up. I realised losing you as a friend was one of the dumbest things I’ve done. I want us to…be good again.”

  Gun chuckled, but it wasn’t a friendly one. It was the kind of ugh that said you’re kidding, right? He leaned forward, his voice low. “You want to rekindle our friendship now? After everything?” He raised an eyebrow. “What’s changed? You’re engaged now to Champ, right?”

  She smiled again, the same elegant smile, but this time, there was something else behind it—something calcuting. “Yes, I’m engaged to Champ. And honestly, Gun, he’s a good man. We’re happy.”

  Gun’s ughter burst out again, this time more genuine. He shook his head in disbelief. “You’re happy? Jane, you might want to sit down for this one.”

  Her brows furrowed, but she still looked amused, as if nothing could phase her. “What is it?”

  “Oh, it’s just... You see, while you were off parading your ‘perfect’ retionship, your lovely fiancé Champ was busy…well, let’s just say he spent quite a few evenings between my legs when you weren’t looking.”

  The silence that followed was thick, tense. Gun watched her reaction closely, expecting some kind of explosion, maybe tears, or at the very least, outrage. But Jane didn’t flinch. Instead, she smiled.

  An elegant, almost serene smile. “Oh, Gun,” she said, her voice as smooth as ever, “I know.”

  He blinked, taken aback by her calmness. “You… knew?”

  She took a sip of her wine, eyes twinkling with amusement. “Of course I knew. Champ…well, he likes to explore. It’s nothing new. As long as he comes home to me at the end of the day, I don’t see a problem. You don’t have to worry about it.”

  Gun stared at her, completely thrown off. He had expected her to be hurt, shocked—anything but this. “You’re okay with that?” he asked.

  Jane shrugged, her smile still in pce. “It’s just how things are. Retionships are complicated, Gun. You, of all people, should understand that.”

  He scoffed, leaning back in his chair, now thoroughly amused but also disgusted. “Well, you sure haven’t changed that much after all. Still making excuses for bad behaviour.”

  She didn’t respond, just kept smiling that unsettling smile.

  Gun let out a sigh, shaking his head. “Jane, let me make one thing very clear. Just because I have money now, just because my life is different, doesn’t mean I’m inviting problems back into it. You were a problem, a big one, and I’m not interested in reopening that chapter.”

  Her smile faltered just a fraction, but she quickly recovered. “Gun, I’m not a problem anymore. I’ve—”

  “No,” Gun interrupted firmly. “You are. And I don’t want to deal with it. I’ve worked too hard to get to where I am, and the st thing I need is to be dragged back into the mess that is your life. So if you think we’re going to be friends again, think again.”

  Jane opened her mouth to protest, but Gun was already getting up, ready to leave. He threw down a few bills to cover his share of the meal and gave her one st look. “Good luck with your life, Jane. But I’m done.”

  He turned on his heel and walked out of the restaurant without looking back, feeling a strange sense of relief. Jane might have changed on the surface, but deep down, she was still the same person who had ruined their friendship years ago. And Gun wasn’t going to let her—or anyone—drag him back into the past.

  As he stepped out into the cool evening air, he took a deep breath, feeling lighter, stronger. He had enough on his pte already. There was no room in his life for people like Jane. Not anymore.