A sharp crack sounded in the private room. His normally blank face broke the silence as soon as I smiled and answered.

While the waiter came to switch out the dishes, he leaned closer to me, “Bella...”

I lifted my chair a little, shifting it so there was some space between us.

His pretty almond-shaped eyes suddenly dropped.

“I’ll take you home when we’re done.”

“No need.” I turned him down right away.

“It’s raining, you can’t ride your shared bike.”

The rain outside the window was coming down harder. I really couldn’t ride it; I would have to call someone to pick me up.

“If you had taken that payout back then, you wouldn’t be living like this now.”

I didn’t know if he meant breakup money or abortion money.

He had owed me too much over the years. Five abortions alone.

Feeling a bit bothered, I followed his eyes to the stain on the edge of my pants.

It came to mind that earlier, while coming here, a black Maybach threw dirty water all over me.

It turned out Freddie was the one driving.

He had changed cars again; it looked like he had too much cash lying around and bought one just to avoid taxes.

“I brought a raincoat, no need to bother.”