Chapter 630

The next week rolled around, and it was the same old, same old. Juniper would drag herself out of bed at the crack of dawn to whip up breakfast for Anthony before he headed off to work. She'd then veg out in front of the TV until he rolled back in around ten. They had this unspoken routine going on.

Anthony still didn't give her much attention, but she could tell that after a couple of weeks of living together, things were getting a bit cozier between them. It was a step in the right direction.

But man, she was hitting her limit.

One morning, after making breakfast, she opened the fridge and it was bare. Not even enough for tomorrow's breakfast.

She thought about hitting up her friend Jessica for some cash, but that felt awkward. Plus, Jessica was already dealing with her own deadbeat boyfriend, so she probably couldn't help much.

After mulling it over, Juniper decided to hunt for a part-time gig.

Back when she was abroad, she had just wrapped up her MBA and landed a sweet job at a big bank. But Aaron had dragged her back home, so she had to ditch the job. Up until now, she had zero work experience.

Juniper fired up a job search app.

"Food delivery?"

Nah, that needed a bike, and she didn't even have one. Next.

"Part-time tutor?"

Sounded good, but it had a two-week trial period. She'd starve by then.

Server jobs? They also had trial periods. Plus, with her temper, she'd probably snap at a customer.

After an hour of scrolling, she finally found a part-time gig as a pianist at a fancy restaurant. Three hours, cash in hand, six hundred bucks.

Six hundred bucks used to be chump change for Juniper, but now it was her lifeline. If she stretched it, it could last her at least three days.

She jumped up and called the restaurant. When they heard she had a Grade 10 piano certification, they told her to come in that evening.

"Yes!" she shouted, feeling like the universe had her back. Her dad could shove it.

On her first day, Juniper was a mix of nerves and excitement. She got to the restaurant, shrugged off her coat, and revealed a pink cocktail dress.

The manager's eyes lit up, "Wow, didn't expect you to be this stunning."

"Thanks. What do you want me to play?"

"Uh, not sure," the manager mumbled, blushing and avoiding her gaze, "Just something light."

"Got it."

Juniper sat at the piano, her fingers brushing the keys.

She remembered her mom teaching her to play when she was a kid.

Her mom was so gentle and beautiful, like an angel. It was a joke that Aaron had ditched her mom for a schemer like Elara.

Juniper started playing a Beethoven piece. The restaurant guests, who had been chatting and eating, turned to watch her as the music filled the room.

The spotlight hit her, casting a soft golden glow. She looked like a fairy, all grace and elegance.

A lot of the guys in the room were totally smitten.

Juniper lost herself in the music.

Playing a happy tune, she let herself drift into some good memories.

A faint smile played on her lips, and Anthony's face popped into her mind.

Thinking of him didn't make her heart race, but it did bring a warm feeling.

Even though he had pushed her away so many times, he was a good guy. Her feelings for him grew a little each day.

Even though they lived together, she still found herself thinking about him.

"Mr. Eilish, right this way," a waiter said, leading Anthony to a window seat.

Anthony, ever the gentleman, pulled out a chair for Hera.

"Bet you didn't think I'd be back for another academic conference so soon, huh?" Hera grinned, slipping off her coat to reveal her slender figure. She could've skipped the conference, but she wanted to see him.

"Must be a pain, all that back and forth."

"Yeah, it's a grind, and the jet lag is killer. But hey, gotta juggle meetings and work. Having you treat me to dinner makes it worth it," Hera smiled. "By the way, where's your girlfriend?"

"She's not my girlfriend."

Hera had been mulling it over, but she had no right to be jealous, so she played it cool, "Didn't you two spend the night together?"

"Nothing happened."

"Hmm? Are you that old-fashioned, saving it for the wedding night?"

"She's not my girlfriend; I wouldn't spend the night with her."

"Oh? Really?" Hera was secretly thrilled; she knew Anthony wouldn't lie.

"So, does that mean I still have a shot?" Hera teased.

"A shot at what?"

"A shot at you. Think I'm joking? What if I'm serious, Anthony? We've known each other for ages, haven't you ever thought that maybe I like you?"

Anthony had always seen her as a good friend, never considering anything more.

He had someone else on his mind, so other women didn't matter.

"What if I really like you?" Hera wanted to seize the moment to confess. She was a bit nervous, waiting for Anthony's response.

But just then, Anthony seemed to notice something and turned to look.

A woman in a pink cocktail dress was playing the piano, the music flowing from her fingertips like a stream. She had a faint smile on her lips, completely lost in the music.

The scene was so beautiful; she looked like a moon goddess.

Anthony's heart skipped a beat, 'Juniper?'

In his mind, she was always a bit of a handful. He didn't expect her to have such a gentle and intellectual side. This completely different version of her gave him a new feeling, even a shock.

It was like the strings of his heart had been plucked, trembling.

His attention suddenly shifted, and Hera followed his gaze.

Hera was stunned, 'Isn't that the woman who called Anthony her boyfriend? What's she doing here? Could it be for Anthony?'

Although Anthony said she wasn't his girlfriend, the way he looked at her was somewhat infatuated.

It seemed they weren't entirely unrelated.

Hera felt a bit sad and embarrassed. She regretted confessing just now, feeling like a wishful-thinking clown. It was so humiliating.

"Anthony, Anthony?" Hera called several times before Anthony snapped back to reality.

She pretended to smile casually, "What's wrong? Did I scare you? I was just joking. You can't take a joke, can you?"

In fact, Anthony hadn't taken her words to heart at all because his attention had quickly been drawn to Juniper, and he was still a bit dazed, "No."

"Good. I was really afraid you'd take it seriously. If you accepted, I wouldn't know what to do," Hera joked, hiding her frustration deep inside.

Hera had been waiting for him. When he let go of Layla, she thought she had a chance, but his heart already belonged to someone else.

They were destined never to transition from friends to lovers; she was always a step behind.

But she knew she was just comforting herself. They had known each other for so long; if he had feelings for her, they would have been together by now.

Anthony didn't like her; it had always been her unrequited love.

Suddenly, there was a commotion. A male guest had grabbed Juniper's hand.