The cost

Chapter 30

Tm Queenie Dylan, Queenie smiled with a spark of excitement. Clearly, Vinson was her type. She playfully draped her arm around Mia’s shoulders and said, “And this is my bestie, Mia Reed”

Noticing Queenie’s warm response, Vinson felt a surge of delight. He jumped at the opportunity, saying, “Ms. Dylan, Ms. Reed, fate has brought us together. Even if you can’t join me as my backup dancer, I’d still be thrilled if you could come to my concert next month.”

He whipped out his phone and scrolled through it. “Ill reserve VIP seats in the front row for you both. Looking up, he added. “Do you mind if we exchange contact information now!”

Everyone knew tickets to Vinson’s concerts were a hot commodity, and they usually needed to be reserved months in advance.

Queenie was not a crazy fan, but she wasn’t about to pass up such an offer. “Sure,” she said, her cheeks coloring slightly as she pulled out her phone and opened WhatsApp. “Let’s swap numbers.”

Meanwhile, Mia stood back with her arms crossed to appraise Vinson. She knew Queenie’s taste all too well, and Vinson was exactly her type.

Yet, Mia was guarded, not yet sold on the man’s character.

As an old hand in showbiz, Vinson could tell Mia wasn’t interested i

d in him and even caught a hint of distaste. He wisely chose to keep the interaction brief and said, “Great!”

After adding Queenie’s number, he flashed a warm smile. “It was a pleasure meeting both of you. Ed stay for a drink if I didn’t have other matters to handle,” He added while patting his chest, “Next time you’re at Haven Lounge, just drop my name. I’ll cover your expenses

Long after Vinson had disappeared, Queenie was still lost in her thoughts.

Mia snapped her fingers in front of Queenie’s face and reminded, “Queenie, Earth to Queenie. I knew you’d fall for him. Just don’t rush things: make sure you really know who he is first.

Queenie’s charm was undeniable, and if anyone could win Vinson over, I was her. But if Vinson wasn’t good enough, it was all for naught.

1 see, honey” Queenie’s eyes lit up with a gleam, enjoying Mia’s protective fuss. She hooked her arm around Mia’s, pulling her close. “How about you crash at my place tonight?”

“Okay..” Mia agreed, noticing Queenie’s cheeks were flushed, likely from the alcohol. She escorted Queenie out of Haven Lounge and buckled her safely into the car.

The cool sea breeze was refreshing. Mia wiped the sweat from her brows and relished the moment. She spread her arms wide and twirled around.

Just then, Matthew moved to approach them, but he stopped short as he caught Mia’s radiant smile.

Over the past five years, he had only seen Mia conform to his expectations. He had never realized how liberating her smile could be.

He stopped in his tracks, finally understanding the kind of disappointment Vinson had hinted at. A profound disappointment appeared to be indifference. To Mia, he was someone to avoid at all costs, and she despised him deeply. An ache full of emptiness spread through Matthew’s heart It was a sensation he had never felt before.

His stomach churned, and the taste of alcohol mixed with smoke surged up, causing him to throw up. He didn’t know if the tears in his eyes were from the nausea or the pain in his heart.

When Matthew looked up again, the captivating figure he cared about had already vanished without a trace.

Suddenly, he felt a pat on his shoulder. “Maut, are you okay?”

Vinson’s eyes twinkled mischievously as he shook his phone. “Don’t look so doen, man” He confidently slapped his chest and promised, “Give me three days, and I’ll get you that short–haired girl’s number”

Matthew knew all about Vinsori’s scherming ways. His expression darkened, a single thought echoing in his mind – Mia was disappointed in him

“There are plenty of fish in the sea. If it doesn’t work out, just find someone else. Sering Manhew still look miserable, Vinson launched into his own philosophy. Trust me, man, I can get you any kind of woman you want.”

“What a playboy! You don’t know loyalty at all, Matthew thought subconsciously, but then he suddenly thought of himself. What about me? What is loyalty to me? With a heavy heart, he turned to Vinson and asked in a serious tone, “Vinson, what kind of man do you think I am?”

“What’s gotten into

ito Main Obsessing over a woman to the point of self–louber thought Vinson. Despite that, Vinson answered honestly, “You’re decisive, cool–headed, and wealthy. You’ve got plenty of good traits, but honestly, if I were a woman, I’d never marry you.”

Chapter 80

Vinson’s blunt words were no surprise to Matthew, who listened intently.

“Do you know why?” Vinson blurted out, “I might not have met your ex–wife, but dude, you don’t act like a real man! How could you treat a woman who loved you as nothing more than a blood bank for Beth? If it were me, I’d have left tool Vinson’s careless words revealed the indifference

Matthew had maintained towards Mia for the past five years

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