Plato?No Thanks Chapter 05

I was about to march over and get some answers.

At least find out their deal. If they were together, I’d bow out gracefully.

Before I could get there, several other men walked up to them.

I recognized them—all top-tier rich guys in the circle.

I couldn’t hear what they were saying.

Except for one guy, who had a loud voice and dropped a phrase that hit my ears loud and clear.

“Guess we’ll have to call you Ms. Mitchell from now on.”

Sophie looked at me, confused, as I stopped walking. “Avi? What’s wrong? I thought you wanted to buy some clothes?”

I pulled Sophie down another path and left.

“Never mind.”

Not like anyone would be looking at me anyway.

As soon as we exited the mall, we ran into Noah, who looked grim.

His expression turned weird when he saw me.

“I came to pick you both up.”

In the car, sitting in the back, I could tell Noah kept glancing at me through the rearview mirror.

Being stared at made me uncomfortable.

“Just spit it out.”

It had to be about Liam.

Noah hesitated, then said quietly:

“Liam… is going to have a marriage alliance.”

I said flatly, “Oh.”

It made sense. His status was like that. Everyone wanted to suck up to him.

I couldn’t help thinking about that woman just now.

One original, one knockout.

No wonder Liam said I was annoying.

Getting pursued by two people using the exact same tactics—anyone would get tired of that.

Sophie looked at me with concern.

She’s my best friend.

She could read my mood in one glance.

“Avi, maybe we should switch it up. Want a little puppy dog boyfriend?”

Noah: “…I’ll pay!”

I didn’t say anything. Those two went back and forth for a bit, then

literally turned the car in a new direction.

Looking at the storefront, I pulled out my phone and edited an Instagram post.

I’m really giving up on Liam.

【No more Mr. Nice Guy. I’m ordering eight little puppy dogs!!!!】

Noah looked at the rows and rows of little puppies inside the store and said, “Can you handle that? Their physique…”

Sophie’s eyes lit up. “I want some tool!”

Noah: “…”

Noah wrapped an arm around Sophie and smiled at me. “Have fun. I’m paying. I’m taking her home now.”

“I’m not going! I want—”

“No, you don’t.”

“Yes, I do!”

“Just me is enough.”

More PDA.

I pushed open the door and went inside.

The second I entered, I got swarmed.

Half an hour later, I was sitting resting when I noticed someone had commented on my post.

[?]

[Where are you?]

[What little puppy dogs?]

…

Then came the flood of DMs from Liam.

[Ava, you can’t be mad and act like this.]

[Let me come get you, okay? Don’t order anything.]

[I agree to what you said last time. I’ll wear wolf ears and a tail for you.]

[Avi…]

[Are you tired of me already?]

I didn’t get what he meant by all this.

And I didn’t want to.

[Mr. Mitchell, you don’t have to force yourself. My bad. I didn’t know you had a fiancée. Sorry. Let’s delete each other.]

As soon as I sent it, he called.

The second I picked up, I heard Liam’s slightly rushed voice.

“Who told you I’m having a marriage alliance? I’m not.”

What?

Impossible. Noah said it himself.

“But you were on a date with her today…”

I saw it with my own eyes.

“They mentioned an alliance. I said no. And it wasn’t a date. That person isn’t an alliance prospect. She’s my friend…”

He paused, like it was hard to say.

“A guy.”

“…Oh.”

Wait, WHAT?!

My eyes went wide. “Who’s a guy?!”

Liam: “…The one in the dress.”

“…”

I pressed my lips together, trying hard not to smile too obviously.

Oh. Okay then.

So I’m the original.

I calmed myself down and pretended to be composed. “So… you don’t have a girlfriend right now?”

“Not yet.”

“And… no boyfriend either, right?”

This was important.

Liam practically gritted his teeth. “Ava Thompson, I’m not a gay.”

Okay, good.

I immediately changed my tune. “Sorry, Mr. Mitchell. I just didn’t want people to get the wrong idea. Forgive me, okay?”

No more “no more Mr. Nice Guy.” The “play nice” plan was back on.

But then.

Liam laughed softly, his voice low and cold.

“First, explain the eight little puppy dogs.”

I looked around.

Testing the waters: “You wanna come too?”

“…”, I added, “I can share one with you.”

“…”, He didn’t say anything, but his breathing was heavy.

I gritted my teeth, sacrificing my desires.

“Three. Three is my final offer!”

I could hear Liam grinding his molars.

“Ava!”