Chapter 59: Like Throwing Away Trash
Leah’s hand froze. It had been a while since she’d heard that. She didn’t usually wear makeup, but she’d compared herself to Madeline in the mirror before and couldn’t see the resemblance at all.
Everything that happened with Asher Keating had started because Azure Bay had used the gimmick that she looked like Madeline Sterling. To be honest, Leah really didn’t want to hear those words right now.
"Where does she look like her? You must be drunk." Todd Coleman studied Leah’s face carefully.
"No, really! The side profile and her nose... you have to look from the right angle, you know?" Zion Sawyer gestured toward Leah’s face.
"From my angle, you look like a real beauty," Leah laughed.
"Really? Wow, Leah, I’m going to take that seriously."
Todd started teasing her again, and the two fell into their usual bickering. After chatting a little longer, the three of them decided to part ways. Zion and Todd were heading in the same direction, but Leah said she had to meet a friend, so she didn’t join them. The two men hailed a cab and said their goodbyes.
Leah checked the distance. This place was close to The Dynasty Club. ’That’s probably why Asher chose it.’ She went back and asked the front desk how much the meal had cost. The receptionist wouldn’t say, only that it would be put on Third Young Master Keating’s tab, so she gave up.
She pulled her clothes tighter around herself. It was early December now; the new year was just over twenty days away, and the weather had gotten quite cold. Leah took out her earbuds, played some music, and walked slowly with her hands in her coat pockets, her mind gradually starting to quiet down.
She had been with Asher Keating for over three months now, without even realizing it, meaning more than half of the six months he had mentioned had already passed. She had never deliberately kept track of the time. In that respect, Leah and Asher were actually very similar.
’Live in the moment. Don’t dwell on gains and losses, and don’t hold on to excessive hope. That way, you won’t suffer from excessive disappointment.’ This was the mantra she had always taught herself.
But the wish she’d made on her birthday—that Asher would be good to her for a little longer—was already the greatest hope she had allowed herself in years.
But a voice in the deepest part of her heart always reminded her: ’If Asher ever tells you to leave, you must not cling to him. Don’t pester him.’
This period with Asher had been the most relaxed and happiest time she’d had in years. And she had a job now. It was so much better than her school days when she had to constantly work part-time jobs to scrape together tuition. To ask for more would be ungrateful.
Lost in these thoughts, she reached the entrance of The Dynasty Club. Leah stared blankly at the door for a moment before taking off her earbuds and walking inside.
When she reached the door to the private room, she thought she could faintly hear Asher’s voice. He was singing. A thrill went through Leah; she had never heard Asher sing before.
She pushed the door open just a crack, but what drifted out was the sound of a male and female duet: "Ten years ago, I didn’t know you, you didn’t belong to me..."
Leah’s hand froze on the door. The female voice belonged to Madeline Sterling. She slowly let go, and the door closed again without a sound.
She stood at the door for a moment, then walked toward the elevator. ’I should probably wait outside for a bit,’ she thought. ’Or go downstairs and buy a pack of cigarettes. Smoke one slowly... five minutes. The song should be over by then, right?’
While waiting for the elevator, she heard someone call her name. She sighed and turned around. "Eldest Young Master Sterling."
Morgan Sterling was smiling at her. "You’re here. Why aren’t you going in?"
"I need to go downstairs to buy something."
"Then come back soon." For once, Morgan Sterling surprisingly didn’t give her a hard time.
"Okay." The elevator arrived, and Leah quickly stepped inside.
As the elevator doors closed, the smile vanished from Morgan Sterling’s face. He took out his phone and sent a text: "The little canary has arrived."
Leah walked out of the main entrance and took a deep breath. Just as she was about to head to the small shop next door, she unexpectedly ran into Chester Hale.
Chester Hale greeted her and asked curiously, "Are you just arriving or about to leave?"
"I just finished dinner and haven’t gone in yet. Dr. Hale, what are you doing here?" Leah was a bit surprised too, but then she thought about it. ’It makes sense. He’s one of the rich kids, after all.’
"I have a social obligation I couldn’t get out of." Chester Hale sighed with a hint of resignation.
"I see. By the way, Dr. Hale, do you have a cigarette?" Leah asked suddenly. She figured that if she bought a whole pack, she wouldn’t finish it. She didn’t want Asher to know she smoked, and it would be too wasteful to smoke one and throw the rest away.
Chester Hale frowned slightly but still took out a cigarette for her. He then flicked his lighter, and Leah leaned in to light her cigarette, murmuring a quiet "thank you."
Chester Hale lit one for himself. "Since when do you smoke?"
"I don’t really. Work was just a little stressful today." Leah made up a random excuse.
Chester Hale didn’t press the issue. The two of them stood at the entrance, smoking slowly and chatting. When the cigarettes were finished, Leah said goodbye to Chester Hale.
But when she got back and stepped out of the elevator, she ran into Madeline Sterling again. Leah tried to pretend she didn’t see her, but Madeline called out to her anyway. She sighed silently. ’What is with today? It’s just one person after another.’
"Hello, Miss Sterling."
"It’s Asher’s birthday, and you’re only just showing up?" Madeline Sterling looked at her, her face full of displeasure.
’So today is Asher Keating’s birthday.’ Leah was stunned for a moment. ’No wonder my luck has been so great today.’
"Tsk, don’t tell me Asher didn’t tell you?" Madeline Sterling’s lips slowly curved into a smirk.
Leah didn’t say anything. Madeline laughed. "Everyone says Asher spoils his little canary, but I guess it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. He didn’t even tell you about something as important as his own birthday?"
Leah lifted her gaze and replied coolly, "So?"
Madeline was taken aback by her response. Leah looked at the woman in front of her, dressed in a wine-red, backless, spaghetti-strap evening gown. ’A celebrity, indeed,’ Leah thought. ’Not afraid of the cold at all on a day like this.’
She glanced down at herself: overcoat, jeans, sneakers, and a turtleneck sweater. Asher had gotten angry yesterday and left another mark on her neck, so she’d had no choice but to wear a turtleneck today.
’What a stark contrast.’ While she was still thinking, Madeline suddenly reached out and tugged at her collar. Startled, Leah quickly swatted her hand away. "What are you doing?"
"Heh, Asher still likes leaving his marks on people’s necks, just like always. He used to love kissing my neck so much I couldn’t even see anyone." Madeline giggled, feigning embarrassment.
"Miss Sterling, your Sterling Family has some strange customs, always staring at other people’s necks." Leah was growing impatient. ’First Morgan, now Madeline. What is wrong with them?’
"Haha, Leah, don’t get too cocky! A man like Asher Keating is destined never to marry you. At most, you’re just a little plaything he keeps on the side for fun. Besides, there are tons of girls younger and prettier than you out there. It won’t be long before he throws you away like trash."
Madeline admired her freshly manicured nails, then laughed. "And don’t forget how he noticed you in the first place. If you didn’t look just a little bit like me, do you really think Asher would have even given you a second glance?"