Way Back Into Love (Essie)

"I'm Mandy, don't you remember me? Six years ago, during the trip to the Himalayas, my traveling companions and I came across some difficulty. It was you who saved us."

It was not until then that Zac realized what she was referring to. Yet, this compliment didn't make him look proud. He continued to have an indifferent expression on his face. Shrugging his shoulder, he let go of the matter.

However, hearing this, Essie walked over and patted him on the shoulder. With a playful look on her face, she said, "I wasn't aware you had gone to the Himalayas. It sounds amazing!" Mandy had repeated this story a million times in the past. It was something she enjoyed narrating every now and then. They had also named this story as the independent hero climbing the mountains and rivers. The way he had hit eight gangsters all by himself was the part she told with a relish.

Zac gently pinched the tip of her chin. "There are still a lot of things you don't know."

Looking at them, Mandy couldn't help but feel a little envious. She never expected that her dream hero would one day become her best friend's hero. "Essie, how do you know him?" If they hadn't known each other for a long time and if their relationship hadn't reached anywhere, then it meant Mandy still stood a chance.

Thinking something was going on between the two, she was overtaken by an urge to curse. Essie, on the other hand, quickly noticed the change in Mandy's expression and answered, "He is my roommate." She knew Mandy too well. Her biggest weakness was her paranoia. As soon as they returned from the journey, Mandy kicked her boyfriend mercilessly and urged her to accompany her to do hymen repair surgery. Nervously, Essie obeyed and didn't even dare tell Eva about this. She decided to keep the relationship between her and Zac as simple as possible. She couldn't let her other relationships to be damaged because of it. Apart from the fact they had a fake marriage certificate and had sex once accidentally, there was nothing between the two. After two months, they would separate and never contact each other again.

'She had told them we are nothing but roommates,' thought Zac to himself. It pained him to see the attitude with which she looked at their relationship. 'Did that sex mean nothing to her?' he wondered. Mandy was greatly relieved when she was filled in with the reality of their relationship. Essie was her best friend and she loved her with all her heart. She could share everything, except love. Everyone was selfish when it came down to love. She smiled and looked at the man of her dreams. "I don't know your real name yet," she said in a flirty tone.

Even though her voice was loud enough, he pretended like he didn't hear her question. Paying her no heed, he focused on the iPad in his hand. Seeing the awkward situation before her, Essie spoke, "His name is Zac Rong, 26 years old, coming from Dragon City." That was the only thing she knew about him as well. Prying was not her thing hence she didn't bother probing him with questions. The last thing she wanted was to make a fool out of herself.

Mandy nodded, trying to look calm. But deep down, she was very disturbed. She couldn't believe Zack had ignored her. 'Wasn't I beautiful enough? Doesn't he find me attractive?' She couldn't help but wonder as her confidence went down. All her life, she had lived with the knowledge she was physically striking. Everywhere she went, men and even women would stop and stare at her. Her breathtaking beauty and perfect features could easily steal a heart. Every man she liked reciprocated her feelings. It was the first time a man had ignored her! Embarrassment engulfed her.

"Zac, can I call you like this?" She went on, trying to get his attention. Even though she was shocked, she wouldn't give up so easily. "We are not that close," he said, nonchalantly. Once again he had pricked her ego by turning her down. And the worst part was, he had no sorrow in doing so. At the moment, he was in a bad mood and her interest in him was only making it worse.

Essie turned her head and looked at Zac. The cruelty in his eyes scared her.

'Who offended him? Why is he so ferocious!' she wondered, running out of ideas to placate the situation.

Mandy's heart was wounded. She lowered her eyes and almost cried. Essie hurried to ease the atmosphere, "He was only kidding. You can call him as you like." As soon as she finished her words, she felt a chill sweep over her face. She chose to ignore it.

Her words hadn't comforted Mandy. His cold face showed that he wasn't joking.

"Ladies, come and eat pears. I bought them today. They're fresh,"

Essie said, trying to brighten up the atmosphere. It was getting quite gloomy there. She took a pear from the coffee table. When she was about to peel it, Zac grabbed the knife from her and said, "Didn't I buy you a peeler?"

"Oh you did. I completely forgot." After saying this, she ran into the kitchen and took out the peeler. Last time, she had cut herself while cutting an apple. Seeing the pain she had gone through, Zac bought a peeler. He could be quite considerate at times!

She put the pear to the machine, and quipped as she rotated the handle, "Now that I have this peeling divine weapon, mom doesn't need to worry about me anymore."

"I am not worried about you. I am just worried you will use this wound as an excuse to have a rest." Zac sneered.

Essie made a face at him and was brimming with rage! She knew he wouldn't suddenly become kind but his reply irked her nevertheless.

Next to them, Eva burst into laughter. "The more I look at you, the more I think you are not roommates instead a newly married couple." Zac glanced at her. He wanted to agree.

However, Essie frowned on listening to Eva's words. Pretending like she didn't hear it, she continued to work on the pear.

Eva's words didn't make Mandy happy. She found that the coldness in Zac's eyes disappeared every time he looked at Essie. 'Was it because they were familiar with each other, or because the relationship between them was more than that of two roommates?' she wondered.

Either way, she swore she would figure it out!