Chapter 4

I looked in the mirror, trying to notice all the changes in my face.

The almond-shaped eyes had replaced my deep-set ones. My dark brown eyes had been replaced with pale brown ones. Among all of my attributes, my eyes were my favorite! My already little face became more tender. My heart-shaped lips and sharp nose remained the same.

It was strange, yet I recognized myself in this face.

The door opened, and Dad entered. I expected him to grin from ear to ear after the procedure, but he just stared at me, emotionless. I didn’t see a single reaction.

He handed me a brown envelope he had given me the night before, which I had refused to open.

“It has all of Kameron Howard’s information, including the slightest details about her,” he said, handing me a zip-lock bag containing some personal stuff. “These are the items I obtained from her; you should return to California with them.”

I nodded. “Can you still see me, Dad?”

He approached me, annoyed by my query. “What do you mean?”

“Can you still see Jian in me? I mean, I thought about it—”

He then walked away, saying, “No, I don’t see Jian in you.”

I lowered my shoulders and peered in the mirror once again. Was I going insane? Perhaps I was just comforting myself because I still couldn’t let go of Jian.

This wasn’t how I should be feeling! Damn!

To distract myself, I read Kameron Howard’s information. I learned a great deal about her.

Kameron Eve Howard was her actual name, and she would turn 28 on November 25. Sorin Howard, Kameron’s father, was the CEO and founder of the Howard Group of Companies, and Kameron was his only child. Her mother had abandoned them.

When I read about her, the side of my lips grew into a smile. Kameron was the Dean of Cooper University.

I never knew preparing for revenge could be so easy when you have all the connections.

Jillian, I admire all you’ve done.

It took me three days to return to California.

Kameron Howard was so simple to fathom, and her life was mundane. Since birth, she had no lover. I had a good idea of her type. She was a lovely, pure, and simple woman.

This was the day when Kameron would return from Australia. When my dad and I arrived at the airport, we parted ways. He placed several additional orders, but none of them concerned me. They were all about Kameron, and I was expected to be soft, kind, and cheerful in front of everyone who knew her.

I quickly put on my shades when I exited the airport. Dad advised me how to dress, but as we parted ways, I changed. I couldn’t bear wearing plain pants and a plain shirt.

I was now wearing a red beret, black trousers, and an off-shoulder crop top with ruffled edges.

Seeing myself in the car’s window glass that passed before me transformed my attitude. I gathered myself and put a grin on my lips.

When the window unexpectedly opened, it revealed a guy with an annoyed expression. Was it because I used his car window as a mirror that he was angry? What a douche!

I ignored him and walked away to hail a taxi. A muscular arm took my luggage as I boarded the cab.

“Excuse me? What do you think you’re doing?” I growled, attempting to retrieve my suitcase, but he refused.

He didn’t respond; instead, he shut the cab door and hauled my bag to his car.

What’s the matter with this guy?

“You jerk!”

When I yelled, he stopped. Everyone drew their attention to me.

He slightly massaged the bridge of his nose. “Kameron, please don’t put me on the spot.”

My eyes widened a bit, but I immediately regained myself. Was he Kameron’s friend? Why didn’t I ever think of that? Damn, I was such a fool!

I laughed a little bit. “Sorry.”

He frowned. “Please come in.”

I instantly entered his car.

He also entered and began driving the vehicle after a few moments.

I couldn’t take my gaze away from him. I saw his jaw clenching. His hair was styled into ‘curtains.’ He was born with a pointy nose. His lips were a little reddish. I was thinking… Were they soft?

Oh my gosh! Stop it, Jian! You still have to determine what his relationship with Kameron was. Cousin? Friend? Perhaps, lover?

My attention was drawn to his hands on the steering wheel. Under the white cotton of his shirt, his biceps appeared to be extremely tense. His white button-down shirt was folded up to his elbows.

“Stop staring at me,” he muttered, barely looking at me.

I quickly averted my gaze. I feigned annoyed by the query, “What took you so long?”

“You should ask that yourself. I’ve been calling you, but you were not looking back,” the man replied, narrowing his eyes at me.

I merely gazed at him and decided to keep silent.

I didn’t notice when my lids became so heavy, and I fell asleep. I awoke when I heard him on the phone with someone. He said goodbye to whoever he was calling when he saw I was awake.

“Let’s have lunch,” he suggested as we stopped near a posh eatery.

I nodded and got out of the car before him. When I saw myself in the mirror, I froze, but then he took my elbow and guided me into the restaurant.

Annoyed, I jerked my elbow, trying to free myself from his grasp. Only with Steven did I feel entirely at ease.

When we walked in, the female manager welcomed us and offered to show us to the reserved room.

On our way, I noticed Steven in his business suit. What was he doing in this place?

I stopped. I was about to go near Steven when someone cleared his throat.

I was no longer Jian…

That was when I realized it. This was no longer my life. Jian’s family and friends had nothing to do with Kameron.

Even when we had food in front of us, that idea kept nagging in my thoughts. I was hungry recently, and now, I lost my appetite.

“What are you doing?” said the guy in front of me in his baritone voice.

I lied and said, “I don’t like the meal.”

“That’s your favorite food…” He glanced at the food before returning his gaze to me.

I quickly pretended to cough. “Not anymore,” I said, smiling as if I didn’t mind his reaction.

“Give it a try, Kam. You’re looking so thin today,” he stated authoritatively.

I examined the meal. This was my usual choice since I met Steven, who converted me to Korean cuisine.

“I don’t want it,” I said, leaning against the chair to avoid his piercing gaze. My arms were crossed over my chest.

Who was he to force me to eat this?