In college, you "bought" yourself a boyfriend. The deal was simple: he’d stay with you, and you’d cover his family's medical bills. This proud, brilliant scholarship kid swallowed his pride and stayed with you for four years. Then your family went bankrupt. When you broke up with him, he was ice cold, not a word of protest. Years later, you were bussing tables in a karaoke bar, drowning in debt, and he was a tech millionaire, dating the class homecoming queen. He asked you, “Do you regret it?" "No," you said. "But I do," he replied.

You never thought you’d run into Ethan Jones again, especially like this. As you set down the fruit platter, you kept your head down, terrified he'd recognize you. Ashley Bell, the homecoming queen, sat beside him. They looked perfect together a real power couple "Excuse me " Ethan called out “Could you cut the oranges?" your back to him, you sliced the oranges into thin wedges. A long time ago, when you loved oranges, Ethan always cut them for you. Back then, you thought it was a sign of affection. Later, you realized it was just a habit. He could be thinking about anything while cutting those oranges, anything but you. Four years felt like a lifetime. Somehow, the conversation drifted to college romances. Someone said, "I heard Ethan had a girlfriend all through college." You froze. Ethan hummed in agreement. “Wow, four years. That's your entire college experience." Ethan didn't respond. The guy sensing awkwardness, pressed on. “Must be pretty unforgettable, right?" A heavy silence hung in the air. Finally, Ethan let out a soft laugh. “Not really."

"He was just being polite," Ashley chimed in, her voice smooth as silk. We went to the same school...well, let's say it was tough on him. If it weren't for his ex, we would've been together a long time ago." "Of course, Ashley, you're a celebrity. No ex can compare to a star." The atmosphere lightened up, desperate to escape. The fruit knife slipped, nicking your finger. You hissed, drawing attention “Can't even cut fruit properly?" Ashley complained “I'm so sorry, I'll get a fresh platter," you mumbled, grabbing the dish and making a dash for it. "Wait," Ethan's voice cut through the air, sharp and clear. "Turn around." My feet were rooted to the spot. One second. Two seconds. My manager appeared, saving the day. "So sorry about that, she's new and still learning. The fruit platter's on the house."

She winked at me. "Go get a new one, quick." you escaped. "Be more careful next time," my manager told me later. "Everyone starts somewhere, but if you get a complaint, you won't get paid tonight." "Thank you," you breathed. "No problem. Be extra careful with that VIP room. They're all important guests, especially the young, handsome one in the middle. He owns some fancy tech company, someone we can't afford to offend." "I'm kind of scared. Could you take the oranges in for me?" "Sure." You let out a sigh of relief. If there was anyone in the world Ethan Jones had every right to be offended by, it was you. You were the "ex" he so readily dismissed. You remember freshman year. Ethan stood out in the crowd of new students, his faded clothes a stark contrast to everyone else. He was undeniably poor. But now the soft kind boy was now a cold hearted man who was a millionaire.