Chapter 4

Returning to my spot, he saw the package box on my chair and asked: "What did you buy?"

Without blushing or my heart racing, I said: "Shoes."

Derek's brow furrowed slightly, his gaze falling on the package box again.

My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly tossed the box under my desk.

This package box was just an ordinary cardboard box, right? Although the quality was a bit better, there wasn't any logo on it!

Even if there was, it would be tiny—just a pattern that you wouldn't notice unless you were paying attention. Besides, Derek bought it online, right? He shouldn't know this box contained the dress he bought.

I calmed down and couldn't help but sigh. This is what happens when you walk the dark path too often—Derek doing anything slightly suspicious made me feel guilty.

After this was over, I definitely wouldn't do bad things anymore.

Actually, I'd regretted it before, but by then I couldn't extract myself.

I remembered that time returning to the dorm when the door wasn't fully closed and I heard my roommates' voices inside: "Holy shit, he... he actually likes guys? Damn, better not have his eye on me."

I rolled my eyes. For fuck's sake, look at yourself in the mirror, I'm attracted to good looks.

Then I heard another roommate say: "Not necessarily, I heard Logan has someone he likes."

At that moment, that voice I'd always found particularly pleasant came coldly from inside: "Really disgusting."

Crack...

Something shattered.

Oh, it was my positive filter of Derek shattering into pieces.

I'd originally wanted to viciously push the door open and enter, but in the end I chickened out and went downstairs, sitting sadly on the nearby grass for ten minutes.

I'd thought that in the dorm, even though our relationship wasn't great, we could at least exchange a word or two. I didn't expect him to be this kind of person.

From that day on, my other two roommates would instinctively avoid me when they saw me, yet they fawned all over Derek. I felt this was all Derek's doing.

Finally, filled with resentment, I decided to disgust him.

Now, there's no turning back once you've shot the arrow.

Not only did I not reflect on whether my actions went too far, I actually felt I was getting the short end of the stick.

Platonic relationships are all about that emotional value, and I was heartbroken, feeling I'd given too much.

I picked up my phone, opened the alternate account, and sent him a message: [Baby, want to see your nude photos.]

Right after sending, I suddenly came to my senses and quickly recalled it.

Ahhhhh, that was way out of line.

My face instantly flushed red.

I quickly pressed the phone face-down on the desk.

Carefully glancing at the next bed over, I saw the guy whose profile was impossibly handsome staring at his phone screen, his brow slightly furrowed, expression subtle. I didn't know if he'd seen my message.

But he didn't reply, so most likely he hadn't seen it. Small chance he saw it and chose to ignore it.

I was used to it, even painfully thinking: having to act like a simp just to get revenge, this losing deal I'll never do again.