Chapter 4

She hadn't even finished speaking when the door of the karaoke room swung open again. Dashiell strode in, sporting a brand-new Rolex, his confidently styled blonde hair and leather shoes commanding attention.

His entrance immediately drew everyone's gaze. That watch stung my eyes, a constant reminder of everything Faye had just said.

"Dashiell? What are you doing here?" Faye hadn't expected him to show up. She gently pushed me aside, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him.

"How could I miss such an important celebration?" Dashiell's tone was flirtatious, his words deliberately ambiguous as he brushed past everyone to sit beside Faye.

The moment he sat down, the people around us exchanged glances, no one daring to speak.

After all, the scene before them was quite comical. There I was in my well-worn, yellowing T-shirt, having barely managed a quick shave before coming out. And then there was Dashiell - young, vigorous, and tall as a pine. With Faye seated between us, the situation seemed even more ridiculous.

"Oh, bro-in-law's here too? I thought it was just you and your friends, Faye."

Dashiell's eyes crinkled in a smile that didn't reach his eyes as he cast an appraising look my way.

"So it's you. I've heard your name before. Now that I see you, you're pretty much what I expected."I smiled politely but didn't pay him much attention.

Dashiell, seeing that I wasn't angry, annoyed, or upset, twitched his mouth twice before speaking again reluctantly: "It's normal that you've heard of me. After all, Faye and I have known each other for many years. We're so close that everyone thinks we're a couple. Brother-in-law, I hope you don't mind."

Dashiell put his hand on Faye's shoulder, smiling provocatively.

I didn't even look up, completely ignoring him.

"Dashiell is talking to you! What's with your attitude? Don't you have any manners?" Faye bumped my shoulder and scolded me in a low voice: "Are you jealous? We're just good friends."

I smiled faintly and shook my head. My heart had long been numb to her, and I didn't care about these actions. It was better not to see them at all.

"Brother-in-law," Dashiell raised a confident smile, "What do you think of my Rolex?"

My heart trembled, understanding his intention, but I already knew it was a gift from Faye.

"Your skin isn't fair enough for gold. It makes you look old."

"Although you're thin, you're too tall to pull off the watch's dignified style."His face looks a bit prissy. This watch is too mature for you. You're not sophisticated enough."

Throughout the entire process, I didn't even bother to lift my eyes. With my years of experience as a designer, I could tell at a glance that Dashiell wasn't suited for this watch. Since he wanted to hear it, I didn't hold back in telling him.

Dashiell's face alternated between white and red with anger, his hands trembling as he gripped Faye's sleeve.

"Can't you speak nicely? What's wrong with Dashiell wearing this watch? You're such a buzzkill! Apologize to him right now."

Faye was furious, glaring at me with hostility.

"He asked me first if the watch looked good on him. I can't help it if he can't handle the truth. I don't lie, you know."

I deliberately emphasized the last few words, looking at Faye with a smirk.

"It's okay. It's normal for my brother-in-law not to like me. After all, like repels like, and opposites attract, right?" Dashiell said in a whiny voice, tugging on Faye's arm.