The Day I Kissed An Older Man

“Jeremy, where are you going? We haven’t even had a good chat yet,” said Zeke.
“I’m going out to make a call,” replied Jeremy indifferently.
“Tsk! Gerald, don’t you think Jeremy should make up with Corinne by now? I mean, she can’t have it easy with that pregnant
belly of hers!” said Zeke.
Gerald glanced at him and said, “Mind your own business, Zeke.”
Zeke scoffed and turned to Jason, who was drinking his wine. “By the way, Jason. You look like you really care about Corinne.
Are you close with her? How come I didn’t know that?”
Jason smiled. “Oh, didn’t I tell you guys? We go way back. I knew her even before I knew she was together with Jeremy.”
Zeke was a little taken aback. He could not help but think Jason was hinting something, so he and Gerald exchanged glances
with each other as they came to a tacit understanding.
Jason downed his wine and placed the empty glass on the table. “I’m going out to make a call too.”
Zeke was speechless. He shook his head as he watched Gerald leave. “I don’t think either Jeremy or Jason are going out to
make a call. What do you think, Gerald?”
Gerald swirled his whisky. “Yeah, probably not.”
Zeke smiled. “They probably went to look for Corinne.”
Gerald chose to stay silent.
Corinne did not go to the restroom. Instead, she walked along the walls to take a closer look at each of the paintings displayed.
The paintings were indeed famous, but there was no self-portrait of Corinne’s mother. ‘Maybe the owner of the hotel doesn’t
think Mom’s painting is famous enough to be displayed here?’ she thought. ‘Ugh, what a waste of my time!’
Her mood was definitely spoiled then, but hearing Sophia calling her the next second put her in an even worse mood.
“Corinne, what are you doing here alone? Why didn’t you stay with Zee and the rest of the guys?” asked Sophia with a smile as
she walked over to her.

‘Did she really just call Zeke ‘Zee’? Even Gerald and the others won’t call him that! Don’t tell me she really thinks she’s one of
the guys and gave Zeke a nickname because of that...’ thought Corinne.
“Oh, um. I’m looking for the restroom,” said Corinne.
Sophia’s gaze flickered. “The restroom isn’t this way. Corinne, are you looking for something? I’ve noticed you’ve been looking
here and there ever since you came in. Why don’t you tell me what you’re looking for so I can help you look?”
Corinne shook her head. “It’s nothing. I was bored, so I thought I’d check out the paintings.”
Sophia gazed deeply at her as though she wanted to see right through her soul. Suddenly, she smiled and said, “I see. The
owner of the hotel specially brought out his private collection to add a little fun to my birthday party. All of the paintings are the
real thing! You should take a good look at them while you can. After all, I don’t think you ever had the chance to come into such
close contact with these famous paintings in the past, right?”
Corinne smiled. She chose not to explain herself and instead said, “You’re right. This is a rare opportunity. I should thank you for
giving me this opportunity, Miss Sophia. You’ve really opened up a whole new world for me.”
Sophia smiled back at her. “Oh, don’t say that, Corinne. I know you didn’t exactly grow up in the best environment, but you
should know that it isn’t your fault. I promise I’ll take you to more fancy places in the future once we’ve become friends.”
“Then let me thank you in advance. Can I go back to viewing the paintings now?” asked Corinne with a smile.
“Of course,” replied Sophia with a nod.
“Why are you still blocking my way? Move aside now so I can view these rare and famous paintings,” said Corinne rudely.
Sophia’s face froze for a second before she smiled again. “Oops. Sorry, my bad. I didn’t know I was blocking your way. I’m willing
to get out of your way. Can you do the same for me?”