"Who told you I'm not into women?" Lucas Bennett asked, frowning.
"Then why don't you ever have a girlfriend?" the mirror shot back.
"Fate hasn't arrived yet!"
"Oh, then stay single forever! Keep up that attitude!" the mirror waved dismissively.
Lucas smiled and shook his head. "How do you know about Amo?"
"I know what I want to know, and I don't know what I don't!" the mirror replied mysteriously.
Lucas just looked at her and didn't press further.
In the other car, "The mirror really protects you," Alexander Sterling said calmly.
"Yeah, ever since we shared a desk, she only lets herself bully me. No one else gets to," Evelyn "Evie" Sterling said seriously.
Alexander paused for a moment, then smiled.
"But she doesn't bully me that often!" Evie added.
Alexander nodded.
"Alexander, don't be mad. The mirror is probably still upset I didn't tell her about our marriage. That's why she made that weird request."
"It's fine. She just needed a promise from me to you," Alexander replied calmly. "I'm glad you have a friend who looks out for you like that."
"She's always been really good to me," Evie nodded.
They'd been desk mates in third grade. Then she went abroad.
Their bond had always been strong.
Back then, she figured she was still naive. Even dumber than she was now.
People always liked to pick on her. The mirror fought for her every time.
So for a while, people whispered that the mirror was too sharp-tongued. That she'd never find a husband.
Evie heard that once and blurted out, "Then I'll be her husband."
Years had passed.
Honestly, she didn't fully understand why the mirror asked Alexander for that promise. But she knew the mirror meant well.
Later, Evie got curious. She asked Alexander how he controlled the tennis score so precisely. He lost, but only by a tiny margin.
Alexander glanced at her. "Did you read a story in elementary school called 'Tian Ji's Horse Racing'?"
"Yes! It's about winning through strategy!" Evie nodded.
"That's basically the strategy we used this afternoon," Alexander replied.
"Oh!" Evie said slowly.
She didn't fully get it. But she understood a little.
She spent the next few days studying it. Finally, she got it completely. She admired Alexander even more. She felt like no matter what problem she gave him, he'd solve it.
The only one driving the flashiest sports car was Owen Clarke. He was all alone. So lonely.
He'd been sighing the whole way. Everyone else had a companion. He used to have one too.
Well, no wife, no girlfriend, no cousin. He'd just bring a female secretary!
They drove to Gabriel "Gabe" Moreau's restaurant for barbecue.
Since Evie and the mirror wanted barbecue, they went with that. Women's choice.
Whether Gabe had the ingredients and equipment wasn't their problem. He'd handle it.
As the car climbed the mountain road, Evie recognized the restaurant halfway up. The one they'd eaten at last time.
She turned to Alexander. "Are we going to Gabe's for barbecue?"
"Yes," Alexander said.
"But isn't it booked up half a month in advance?" Evie asked, surprised.
Did Alexander know half a month ago they'd play tennis today and want barbecue?
"That's for dinner service. It's afternoon now. We can come anytime when it's not business hours."
"Oh, Gabe can do barbecue too!" Evie exclaimed.
"We grill it ourselves. He provides the ingredients."
"Oh!" Evie said. "That's fine. I can grill too."
"You'll be in charge of eating later."
"Why?" Evie asked.
"Otherwise, the mirror will blame me for not taking care of you."
"Haha!" Evie couldn't help laughing.
Alexander was funny when he told deadpan jokes.
Three cars parked side by side in the lot. They got out and walked toward the restaurant.
Evie walked behind the mirror, arm in arm, like sisters.
"Mirror, are you upset?" Evie asked carefully.
"Not really," the mirror replied, looking up.
"Don't be mad. Getting angry makes you old fast."
"It's fine. I'm young now. Not afraid of getting old."
"Getting angry makes you ugly too!"
"Evie, are you cursing me?" the mirror turned to glare at her.
"No, I'm saying you look young and beautiful when you're not angry."
"Stop flattering me!" the mirror shot back.
Evie touched her nose. "Mirror, why did you make that weird request to Alexander today?"
"How is it weird? It's the most reasonable request to guarantee your happiness. Think about it. He had such deep feelings for his first love. She's still single. Who knows if she'll come back? If they rekindle, you'd be stupid not to ask for a divorce. Kick him out. Take his money and live happily. He's got so much. If he leaves it all to you, you'll live a luxurious life forever." The mirror sounded convincing.
Evie wanted to laugh. She was touched too. But she still said, "Alexander isn't that kind of person. And I know his first love. She's not that kind either."
"Do you know the other woman?" the mirror asked, surprised.
"I'm not the other woman!" Evie retorted.
"Well, you know his ex!" the mirror said.
"Yes, we're friends."
"Come on. That kind of relationship can't be real friends. Don't let her take advantage of you while you count money for her."
"No, I'm a bit slow, but I'm not stupid."
"Slow reaction is slow. Slow brain development is incomplete. Incomplete brain development is stupid."
"Fine. Whatever you say."
"Evie, honestly, before I heard all that, I didn't think Alexander was that kind of person. And a lot of things, only the people involved know the truth. Outsiders might not be clear. It's easy to be biased. But that was before I knew you two were married. Now that you're his, I think we should be cautious. I'd rather believe it and be careful. It's always better." The mirror said seriously.
Evie laughed for a long time.
"Are you listening?" the mirror got angry.
"Yes, I know. If Alexander bullies me in the future, I'll make him poor!" Evie said with a smile.
"That's more like it!" the mirror patted Evie's shoulder, satisfied.
"What do you two want to eat?" Lucas Bennett turned and shouted at them.
"Coming!" the mirror turned to answer, then pulled Evie to run over.