Chapter 3. Misunderstanding

"Throw that cigarette away!" Sandy swatted away Steve's hand, which was still clutching a cigarette in his hand. Steve snorted. He wanted to be angry, but what Lily's best friend did was right. He stomped on the lit cigarette until it was gone. 

"Is Lily asleep?" he asked Sandy. Steve's eyes darted to a room on the first floor where Lily was resting. Since this afternoon, he has not seen Lily come out of her room. 

"Maybe. I'll wake her up for dinner in a bit." Sandy stood up from her seat. Her steps were halted when the door of the room was opened from inside and Lily appeared, walking towards the two of them. 

"Sandy, did you cook dinner?" Sandy shook her head. 

"Want me to help?" 

"No, you don't have to. I'll prepare it myself. You sit here; I'll prepare dinner." Sandy patted the long sofa in front of the television, right next to Steve, who only glanced at it. 

"Do you want milk or—" 

Sandy snatched the can Lily was holding. It was a can of soft drink that no pregnant woman should touch. "You can't drink soda. I'll make you some warm milk. Just wait a moment. Steve, you take care of Lily so she doesn't eat weird food." 

After Sandy left, Steve and Lily fell into silence, with no conversation between them. Steve didn't know what to ask his ex-girlfriend. Their situation was much different from before. 

"Steve, do you need an assistant to help you with your work? I mean, if there is one, I'd like to work there," Lily asked, which made Steve roll his eyes and shake his head. 

"Work? You mean you want to work?" Lily nodded. 

"Pregnant? No, I'll get killed by your best friend." Steve took a sip of his remaining drink, trying to get rid of the anger in his head. "You're better off at home. I promise I'll come by this house often to see you." 

"I don't want to inconvenience you guys. You know, the cost of childbirth is very high," Lily argued, still hoping for help from Steve. Her eyes were made to look like she was begging for something from her ex-boyfriend.

"Your boutique? You still have it, right? Take care of it." Steve's voice rose. When he turned around, he saw Lily looking down. He felt guilty about her. "Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude to you." 

"The boutique was Ryan's gift," Lily replied quietly. 

"He asked for it again?" Steve's tone of voice rose again. Lily shook her head in response to Steve's question."That's it; manage it. You shouldn't work in an office. It's very dangerous for you." 

Sandy, who heard their argument from behind the kitchen, immediately turned off the stove. She couldn't wait to advise Lily about her decision. 

"I agree with Steve. You should prioritize your pregnancy." Sandy stood beside Lily with her hands on her waist. 

"But-" 

Happ 

A mouthful of ice cream entered Lily's mouth. Steve deliberately silenced her so that she wouldn't go back to protesting at them and arguing endlessly into the night. Lily responded to Steve's action by lightly smacking his big arm. Sandy shook her head and returned to the kitchen to continue cooking. 

After dinner, Lily went back to her room. Meanwhile, Sandy and Steve remained in the living room, watching the movie that was playing tonight. Steve finished the rest of Sandy's snacks, not realizing that he also finished his drink. 

"You can't drink too much soda," Sandy admonished. Steve just nodded slowly with an indifferent glance in his eyes. "When are you going to start approaching Lily again?" 

Sandy crumpled the can she was holding and threw it into the trash can beside her. "Lily is not officially divorced yet. After the divorce, I will approach her again." 

"That's a pretty good plan. I suggest you tell your mom first." 

There was a moment of silence. Steve returned to unwrapping the remaining snacks. "Lily still seems to love Ryan. How can I get into her life?" Steve said it as if he were resigned. 

Plakk!

"Stupid!" Sandy hit Steve's arm and winced in pain. "You're so stupid. Ryan is a coward; do you want to be a coward?" 

"You're so rude. I was just thinking, how could Lily just forget about Ryan even though she was hurt so many times?" Steve replied after returning the blow to Sandy's arm. 

"No, no way. I know Lily's nature. If she gives up, it's a sign that she doesn't want anything to do with anyone." 

*** 

Brakk!!! 

Steve groaned in pain. That sound was the sound of his body suddenly falling off the long sofa. His head hit the table leg, and his nose kissed the cold floor. He winced, holding his head and nose. He only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that his nose was not seriously injured. 

"Ah, shit!" Steve woke up slowly. His eyes accidentally looked at Lily, who was now laughing at him. 

"What's wrong with you? Did you have a nightmare?" asked Lily with a snicker. Steve shook his head. He walked into the bathroom near the kitchen to wash his face. 

"Are you laughing to yourself?" asked Sandy, who had just come out of the room. 

"Where's Steve?" 

"He went to the bathroom. I'm laughing at him because he's funny. He fell off the sofa and hit his head on the table." Lily was still chuckling. 

"Ah, he's used to it. I sent him home last night, but he chose to stay. It's not my fault; there's no more room in the house." 

Lily followed Sandy into the kitchen, helping her cook the morning meal for the three of them. They didn't talk much until Lily realized what Sandy had said about Steve staying at her house. 

"Lily, don't get me wrong. Steve and I are just friends. Steve stays here often and—” 

"Me? Why are you saying I misunderstood you? I didn't misunderstand you. Never mind, let's get on with breakfast," Lily said. Steve and Sandy glanced at each other. Feeling bad with Lily about the real situation.