The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

I answered confidently, "It was. The divorce came so quickly and suddenly that I couldn't cover my losses even with my old job. It would have taken me a long time to get back on my feet."

Zane asked, "Have you ever considered going back to your old job?"

I didn't even think before shaking my head. "No. I love my career now, and it pays better. Why would I go back?"

Zane's smile widened when he heard my answer.

Shane had been waiting in the cafe below Huxham Corporation long before the lunch hour. When Sasha showed up, he pointed out sarcastically, "My, my, aren't we the busy office lady? How could you keep me waiting like this?" Sasha rolled her eyes and shot him a withering look. "You know most of us get off for lunch at the same time, right? It's not my fault you decided to show up early.

"Besides, I came here as soon as the clock struck noon. You should be lucky I even bothered coming."

Shane earnestly nodded when he heard this. "Okay, okay."

Worried that he might have forgotten the budget she gave him, she said tersely, "You can order whatever you want as long as you keep it under a hundred dollars." Shane protested, "That's stingy of you."

"Sorry," Sasha said, not sounding very apologetic as she stopped his attempt to negotiate further. "I'm living on a paycheck now, and it's not a big one. I take care not to overspend. Feel free to leave if you think you deserve better." The steely tone in her voice made Shane oblige immediately. "I'll stay put, thank you very much."noveldrama

Only then did Sasha let him order

from the menu. He ordered a coffee and pasta for himself, which added up to 99 dollars. He flashed her smug grin as he said, "My budgeting's pretty genius, huh? Not only did I order within the budget,

but I even saved you some money!"

As if humoring a child, Sasha drawled, "Yes, how thoughtful of you."

Shane staked a table for them and said arrogantly, "Of course. Though I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss the good old days. Back then, my friends and I would have feasts that add up to thousands of dollars.

"Most of them wouldn't hold back on treating me to fancy meals, either." He fixed Sasha with a meaningful look and added, "Unlike now. I can't even order meals over a hundred dollars, especially since someone isn't in a generous mood."

Sasha did not miss his pointed

implication and snorted. She countered, "First of all, you never treated me to any meal. Secondly, i you're on such good terms with

if

Se friends you speak so highly of, don't you have them buy you lunch instead?

"You could always join them for a feast fit for a king, right?" She propped her face up in her hands as she jested, "Surely you wouldn't have to settle for a cheap coffee and pasta."

This riled up Shane as he exclaimed, "Trust me, I'm just as surprised as you are! I used to treat them to those fancy meals or whatever they wanted, yet they turned their backs on me when I needed them the most! "They avoid me like the plague now if I even so much as hint at them to buy me a meal."

He was baffled by their behavior. After all, he had treated them as his closest friends. Disgruntled, he asked Sasha, "Why do you think they're shunning me like this?"

"It's simple," Sasha said, leaning into

her seat. She explained

nonchalantly, "Your dad threw you out of the family. Your friends helped you out at first, but that was

before your dad got pissed and told

everyone he wouldn't pay your debts.

"He made his point loud and clear, and everyone knew they would only be asking for trouble if they helped you after that."