Chapter 535

All Susan could see was Caleb. He got closer, their lips met, and they kissed.

It was the softest kiss ever. She felt like she was melting, totally forgetting where she was. All that mattered was Caleb-his unique scent and that heartbeat that made her feel safe.

A cough snapped them out of it.

Susan quickly pulled away, embarrassed, and glanced at May and Tyler.

'Oh my God, what am I doing? Kissing in public, that's so not me. This is all Caleb's fault,' she thought.

She shot him a playful glare, but Caleb just looked smug and chill.

May's heart felt like it was being stabbed, filled with jealousy.

She thought Tyler was decent and easy on the eyes, but compared to Caleb, he was just meh.

'Why does Susan get Caleb while I have to settle for Tyler? And I only met Tyler because Caleb introduced us; otherwise, I wouldn't have met a guy like him.' May clenched her fingers tightly, her face turning green, her eyes showing a hint of displeasure. But she forced a smile.

"Should we grab another table?" Tyler teased.

"Yeah," Caleb responded arrogantly.

"Have a seat," Tyler said, pulling out a chair for May like a gentleman.

"Sorry we're late," May said.

"It's cool."

"I think they were hoping we wouldn't show up, so we wouldn't interrupt their private time," Tyler teased.

"You know me too well," Caleb joked. "What do you want to drink? Wine?"

"I gotta escort a lady home tonight, so I'll drink another time," Tyler said, glancing at May with a smile.

'Looks like Tyler's into May,' Susan thought happily.

May felt awkward at first, but seeing Caleb and Tyler chatting like old pals, their relationship seemed pretty equal, which gradually eased her discomfort.

"How'd you two meet?" Susan asked.

"We hit it off at a business dinner and have been tight ever since," Caleb said.

"It's rare for someone to get along so well with you," Susan chuckled.

Dinner was served.

Caleb cut a piece of steak and placed it on Susan's plate. "Who comes here to eat seafood risotto?"

"I was so busy today that I barely ate. I'm starving," Susan said, taking a sip of juice. "Who says I can't eat seafood risotto at a fancy restaurant?"

"Sure, as long as you like it, you can eat whatever you want."

"Caleb," Susan blushed and gave him a playful glare.

May gripped her knife and fork tightly. Caleb was always cold in front of others, but with Susan, he would even joke like this. It made May super jealous.

"I've cut it up and haven't touched it. Let's switch," Tyler said considerately.

Looking at the finely cut steak, May felt a warmth in her heart. "Thanks."

Tyler's pampering slightly eased her discomfort.

Throughout the meal, Tyler was gentle and considerate, constantly showing concern, making May feel like he was treating her as his girlfriend.

"May, I'm going to the restroom. Wanna come?" Susan stood up.

"Sure."

The two left the table.

"Why do women always go to the restroom together? It's an unsolved mystery," Caleb said, looking at Susan's back with a meaningful smile.

"Totally," Tyler nodded.

"May, Mr. Thompson seems to like you a lot," Susan said excitedly.

"Really? Does he?" May pretended not to know, but felt a bit proud inside.

Susan replied, "Yeah, you have great charm. I've heard Tyler has many admirers, including some heiresses. I think he's totally smitten with you."

May felt a bit elated, thinking, 'Do I even need to be told about my charm?'

But she still couldn't snag Caleb, and that made her bitter.

The two sisters touched up their makeup in front of the mirror, and May couldn't help but compare herself to Susan.

She thought, 'My features are more classic, while Susan's are softer and more delicate. To put it bluntly, Susan's got that seductress vibe, and guys eat that up, don't they? She must be all coy with Caleb, which is why he's so hooked on her. And she looks younger. I'm 28, just a year older than Susan, but she looks at least three years younger. Isn't it said that women who have had kids look older? But why is Susan the opposite, with smooth and delicate skin and a radiant glow? It must be because of Caleb's care. With such a rich boyfriend, she could wake up laughing from her dreams every day, of course, she'd be well taken care of. In contrast, I've put all my energy into my music school, long without a man's care, like a withered flower. But my painstakingly built career might be taken over by Susan. I'm extremely unbalanced. Susan has Caleb but still wants to take away my family and career. It's too hateful.'

"May, what's wrong?" Susan was a bit scared by May's look.

"Nothing," May quickly hid the sharpness in her eyes and continued to touch up her lipstick in the mirror.

"What do you think of Mr. Thompson?" Susan asked again.

"He's okay."

"But he's excellent in many ways," Susan reminded.

May sneered inwardly, 'No matter how excellent, he's still not as good as Caleb. Holding onto Caleb and saying such things, how fake.'

May put her lipstick back in her bag. "I have many suitors. His conditions are just average. So I still need to think about it."

"Of course, you need to think about it. The most important thing is that you like him. I have a good impression of him and think you two are quite compatible." Susan was naturally biased towards her own family, thinking May was the best. But objectively speaking, it was already quite good for May to find someone like Tyler.

As May's younger sister, she was still worried about May's future and hoped she could have a happy life.

May thought to herself, 'Compatible? Susan can be with Caleb, but I can only settle for Tyler, right?'

"Let's go."

"Okay."

After dinner, the four went their separate ways.

Tyler drove May home.

May looked out the window, lost in thought, imagining how wonderful it would be if the pairs were switched, and she was the one leaving with Caleb instead of Susan.

"Tired?" Tyler asked with concern.

"No, I'm fine," May answered.

"Am I boring to be with?" Tyler continued.

"Of course not," May shook her head.

Tyler said, "Then... how do you feel about me? It might be too abrupt to ask, but I'm a straightforward person and want to tell you my thoughts. May, I liked you from the first moment I saw you. Although I grew up abroad, I like gentle, elegant, and classical women, and you fit that perfectly. We also have many common interests, like music. If possible, I'd like to date with marriage in mind. I know saying this on a first meeting might scare you or make you think I'm unreliable. But I'm actually a very reliable and dedicated person. It's hard for me to commit to a woman, but once I do, I'm all in. Would you give me a chance?"

After hearing the word marriage, May's heart skipped a beat. Because Tyler was the first person to propose marriage to her.