Chapter 500
A Contentious Lunch
“I wasn’t asking you,” Lucas shot back, his tone dripping with disgust.
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“Just bringing me up is enough. I don’t need Arabella to say anything,” Brielle retorted, looping her arm through Arabella’s.
Lucas frowned. “Seriously? Did you just appear out of nowhere as another sister or something?”
Arabella couldn’t help rolling her eyes. “Do you really think that’s likely?”
“Yeah, guess not. She’s a Miller,” Lucas realized, though the name didn’t carry any particular weight here–just another student in their world.
“Let’s just order,” Arabella said, not in the mood to keep going back and forth with Lucas.
Knowing he wouldn’t get a real answer out of her, Lucas gave up. “Fine. Order then.”
He shot Brielle a look. “You invited yourself, so you’re paying for your own meal.”
“Wow, cheap much? Fine, I’ll pay for myself,” Brielle said, sticking her tongue out before handing the menu to Arabella. “What do you feel like having, Arabella?”
Arabella smiled faintly and picked out a few dishes.
Brielle’s eyes lit up. “No way, Arabella–those are literally my favorites too!”
“Stop sucking up. Is there anything you don’t like?” Lucas muttered under his breath.
“Not your business. Besides, I don’t need to suck up to Arabella–we’re cool like that,” Brielle said, chin lifted proudly. “Right, Arabella?”
Arabella glanced at Lucas with a quiet smile. “We actually get along pretty well.”
“How did you even end
up
friends with her?” Lucas still didn’t get it.
“Turns out we just click,” Arabella shrugged, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
Lucas made a face. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. She’s bad news. You should keep your distance.”
“Excuse me, Mr. Grumpy, don’t talk about people behind their backs,” Brielle fired back, her cheeks flushing.
“Who’s talking behind your back? I’m saying it right to your face,” Lucas countered without missing a beat.
“Ugh!” Brielle clenched her teeth, finally spitting out, “You know what? I’m only treating Arabella. You can pay for your own stuft.”
The audacity–she’d offered to buy him lunch and he still talked trash about her? Unbelievable.
“Like I care,” Lucas said, grabbing the menu and adding a couple more items. “I’m covering me and Arabella. I asked her out, so I’m paying.”
“I already said I’m treating, so I’m treating,” Brielle insisted.
“Well I don’t want you to. This has nothing to do with you,” Lucas shot back.
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Chapter 500 A Contentious Lunch
In just a few exchanges, they were at each other’s throats again. Arabella shook her head, exhausted already.
“Look, if you two can’t agree, let’s just split the bill evenly,” she offered, trying to keep things civil.
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“No way, I’m paying,” Brielle insisted, pulling out her secret weapon–a pleading, puppy–dog look. “Arabella, this is my first time buying you lunch. You can’t make me break my promise, right?”
“I invited her. What’s it got to do with you?” Lucas glared at Brielle like she was a bug on his windshield.
“Shut up,” Brielle snapped, glaring right back.
This guy always had to pick a fight. It was beyond annoying.
“Enough!” Arabella cut in, seeing they were about to start up again. “If you keep arguing, I’m leaving. We can’t even have a meal i peace.”
Lucas and Brielle exchanged a quick glance, then both turned away with a simultaneous, “Hmph!”
Arabella’s lips twitched, but at least they’d quieted down.
“Two options,” she declared firmly. “Either I pay, or we call this off right now.”
“Arabella…” Brielle whined, putting on her best pitiful face.
But Arabella didn’t budge. “Pick one. That’s it.”
“This is all your fault,” Brielle muttered, shooting another glare at Lucas.
Lucas glanced at Arabella but stayed quiet, thinking to himself that Brielle was just pointing fingers.
Finally seeing them settle down, Arabella let out a quiet sigh of relief.
A little while later, their food arrived.
“Let’s eat,” Arabella said, looking from one to the other.
Lucas nudged the plates Arabella liked closer to her. “Here, dig in.”
“Arabella, try this—it’s really good,” Brielle chimed in eagerly, scooping some onto Arabella’s plate.
“Have some of this.”
“Arabella, this one’s amazing too!”
Watching them both fuss over her, one phrase came to Arabella’s mind. They’re competing for attention. She rubbed her temples, feeling a little overwhelmed. This meal was definitely not going to be peaceful.
“Both of you, just eat. I’ve got plenty,” she said, forcing a calm smile.
Seeing that smile, Lucas swallowed whatever he was about to say and simply nodded. “Okay.”
He’d known Arabella long enough to tell she was holding back–not quite mad, but definitely fed up.
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9:54 am Pppp.
Chapter 500 A Contentious Lunch
He shot Brielle one last disapproving look before turning his attention to his own meal.
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Brielle, still riding the high of getting her way, grinned triumphantly. She really liked Arabella, even if they hadn’t known each other that long.
“Honestly, Arabella,” Brielle said between bites, “I don’t think you should hang out with him so much. He’s got a temper and he’s kind of a cheapskate. You could do way better.”
Lucas didn’t even bother responding this time. By now, he was treating Brielle like part of the background noise.
Compared to keeping Arabella from getting annoyed, nothing else really mattered.
With Lucas ignoring her, Brielle eventually got bored of arguing alone. She made a face and finally focused on her own food.
“Hey Arabella,” Brielle spoke up again after a moment, “whatever happened with those two people who got arrested? You never said.”
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.