Giving in to Her Rebellious Streak

Chapter 8

Chapter 8 Yasmin felt that Giselle was only saying these things to Blake, so she didn’t respond. Sure enough, Blake said comfortingly, “It’s been hard on you over the years.” “It was nothing.” Giselle smiled and turned the turntable, bringing the salad bowl to a stop before her. She put some of it on Blake’s plate. “You can’t keep s kip p ing your greens like this, Blake. There’s a vinaigrette on it. I’m sure it tastes great. Here, try some.’ Blake glanced at Yasmin. She was eating her breakfast calmly. She didn’t seem to be bothered by their interactions. “Okay.” Blake ate some salad. A trace of mockery flitted past Yasmin’s eyes. She distinctly remembered him being germaphobic. In the past, to make him eat his greens, she would get up early to make him vegetable rolls. She would say with a bright smile, “Have some vegetable rolls before you leave, Mr. B. “I got up early to make these for you, you know! There are vegetables inside, but there’s also salmon. It tastes really good. You have to have at least one.” But Blake would always give her a scornful look and say, “I never eat food that someone else has touched.” Today, however, he’d eaten the salad Giselle had gotten him. Yasmin guessed that perhaps his germaphobia was only targeted at her. Her expression became wooden at this thought. On the other end of the table, Blake ate his breakfast at a leisurely pace. He looked charming. Giselle watched him with her head propped up on one hand. She smiled and asked, “How does it taste?” “Not too bad.” Blake nodded. She was happy to hear that. “I knew you’d like it. Back in our school days, you wouldn’t touch anything green during lunch. Even then, I could tell you didn’t like vegetables.” Blake smiled faintly. “You have a pretty good memory.” “Of course! I remember everything regardless of how much time has passed, including how proud and charismatic you were whenever you accepted whatever prize you’d won. Every girl in school

admired you. Several girls in our class alone had crushes on you. Everyone loved talking about you.” 1/2 +15 BONUS Blake’s smile widened. “That’s a little bit of an exaggeration if I’ve ever heard one.” “It’s not! You have no idea how many people had crushes on you! That’s why my mom said I have good taste.” She was insinuating that she had a good taste for falling for him. Yasmin sneered to herself. And Blake had insisted Giselle wasn’t his mistress. She was already confessing her feelings for him! Meanwhile, Blake sipped his coffee while glancing at Yasmin. He didn’t say anything. When Giselle didn’t receive a response, she turned to look at Yasmin, who was eating quietly. She said awkwardly, “Sorry about this, Yasmin. Blake and I have known each other for so many years that we can’t help reminiscing whenever we see each other.” “Oh.” Yasmin smiled perfunctorily. What did it have to do with her? However, Giselle didn’t seem to want to let her off the h o ok. She kept recounting her and Blake’s past. It was all the same, really. They’d grown up together and had a strong foundation. She was this close to grouching about Blake’s grandfather, Arthur Ford, for tearing them apart. So, Arthur was the one who hadn’t wanted them together. Yasmin wasn’t interested. She gave Blake a look, hoping he would stop Giselle from continuing. He didn’t seem to notice this, though. He ate leisurely, looking like he was even enjoying the situation. Was he savoring Giselle’s admiration for him? Yasmin snorted to herself. What a shameless ba sta rd! Even if he wanted to enjoy this, couldn’t he do it somewhere else? She wasn’t interested in watching them act all lovey- dovey. They made her stomach turn! Suddenly, Giselle asked, “You like Blake, don’t you, Yasmin?”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.