Bestie's Trash Is My Treasure

"Watch out!" I screamed in alarm.

Summoning a burst of energy from my schooling days' fitness assessments, I dashed forward and threw myself in front of Justin.

The sharp blade plunged into my shoulder, breaking skin and causing fresh blood to flow profusely from the wound.

I couldn't help myself and frowned at the pain, but I pretended to be calm as I shielded Justin behind me.

"I've already called the police!" I shouted.

Hunter hadn't expected to actually injure someone. He was so shocked that he soiled himself.

The crowd dispersed in an instant.

I breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if I had just completed my final task. I swayed from side to side and nearly lost my balance when Justin caught me. I shot a comforting smile at him when I noticed the shock glimmering in his eyes.

"I'm glad that you're not hurt," I murmured.

There was a complicated look on his face, along with gratitude.

My lips had turned deathly pale. My hands trembled violently when I lifted the bag and said, "I sent your suit jacket to the dry cleaners. I wanted to give it back to you."

…

My vision was filled with white when I opened my eyes again.

Justin was sitting by my bedside, peeling an apple for me. It seemed that he didn't leave this time. His expression turned serious when he noticed that I was awake. He no longer looked as carefree as he did when we first met.

"You didn't have to do such a thing, Robin."

I lowered my gaze and chuckled. I didn't continue the conversation. Instead, I changed the topic.

"Five years ago, when I first enrolled in university as a freshman, I was so poor that I couldn't afford to eat. I was on the brink of passing out from hunger when you appeared and took me to have the most delicious meal of my life.

"From that day on, I swore that I would become an amazing person like you. I wanted to chase after you even if you didn't notice me."

Truth be told, Justin had simply made a bet with his friends. They wondered if he was capable of getting my number by treating me to a meal.

It was also then that I made a secret vow to myself. I swore that I would become a despicable person who was swimming in money in the future.

However, my vow didn't stop me from making up that story.

I took a deep breath. Tears pricked at my eyes. I pretended to be nonchalant as I said, "That's why you don't have to feel guilty. I simply did what I wanted to do."

I spotted a hint of remorse in Justin's eyes at that moment.

Empathy was often the starting point for someone to fall in love.

"I'm sorry, Robin," Justin said, subconsciously clenching his fists by his sides. "Thank you."

I smiled gently at him and said, "I should be the one apologizing to you. Truth be told, I shamelessly felt rather happy when I heard that your family declared bankruptcy. I thought that the distance between us had finally lessened.

"However, I finally understood that it's an awful feeling today," I said seriously as I looked up at Justin. "That's why you can't give up, no matter what happens. In the end, I still prefer the version of you who's generous with his money."

While my earlier words aimed to lower Justin's guard, my current ones were designed to pierce his heart.

Justin pulled me into a hug in the next second. His heart was hammering against his ribcage.

I didn't need to continue the rest of my speech.

"You have to work hard, Mr. Lowen," I thought to myself. "You need to retaliate as soon as possible. I'm eagerly awaiting the day when I can live a comfortable life."