Warning: Don’t Feel Sorry For Your Bestie Easily

I kept my expression stern and said to Ziva, "What's wrong with you? You push me down and don't even bother to help me up!"

"If someone didn't know we were friends, they'd think we were enemies!"

"And your parents, how did they raise you? You hurt someone and can't even give a basic apology?"

I got up, giving her a pointed eye roll.

Ziva was frozen, clearly not expecting me to speak to her like this.

I'd always avoided discussing sensitive topics like her family because I didn't want to upset her or make things awkward.

Seeing me be so blunt must have really thrown her.

Sure enough, she looked at me with a fierce glare that almost scared me.

Realizing she might have overstepped, she forced a smile and tried to play the sympathetic friend. "Rowan, what's going on? Did someone at work upset you? Is that why you're taking it out on me?"

"It's okay. We're friends, right? You can let off steam with me!"

Her insincere act nearly made me sick.

How could I have been so blind before?

I called her out directly. "Oh, so you're really into playing the victim. Got it!"

With that, I turned on my heel and went back to my room.

She grabbed my arm, looking hurt. "Rowan, how can you say that about me?"

I pushed her away. "Let's stick to the point. I'm exhausted from working all day. Not everyone gets to lounge around at home."

Her expression changed rapidly, and then a loud growl came from her stomach.

She looked embarrassed and asked, "Uh, Rowan, when are you going to make dinner?"

I played dumb and looked confused. "What?"

She bit her lip, looking humiliated, and said, "I'm really hungry. When are you going to cook?"

"You're hungry, so you can't cook for yourself?"

"I've worked all day and still have to take care of you. Why should I?"

"You're not my parents. I'm not going to cater to you!"

Ziva's eyes widened in shock. She blurted out, "If you don't cook, what am I supposed to eat?"

"Either make it yourself or go hungry!"

Her face turned pale, and she screamed, "What? You know I'm afraid of fire. Are you trying to get me killed?"

In my previous life, it was always like this. No matter how busy or tired I was, I had to cook for her or order expensive takeout.

But when I was hungry, she'd come up with excuses and refuse to step into the kitchen. Even when I was sick, she wouldn't bring me a glass of water!

And she wasn't afraid of cooking. I'd seen her using expensive ingredients from my parents to cook for her family!

"Hmph, I knew you didn't really care about me. Why would anyone genuinely care for someone like me?"

With that, Ziva turned and walked away, leaving me with a defiant and stubborn back.

I let out a cold, bitter laugh inside. Here we went again.

Every time I didn't meet her demands, she played the guilt card to make me feel bad.

Forget about how much money I had lent her.

Just consider that I had taken time off work, flown across the country to pick her up, and covered all her needs, like food, lodging, and even buying her various essentials. And still, in her eyes, I wasn't being genuine!

I felt a wave of disgust and nearly gagged. I grabbed a drink of water from the table to calm myself, then turned and headed back to my room.

She could handle it however she wanted. People like her didn't deserve anyone's genuine care!