Silence.
All Rena could feel was her own pounding heart and seized breath.
Mildred saw her instinctive reaction and felt a pang of sympathy.
Although the topic wasn't likeable, it couldn't always be avoided.
"Since he has proposed, it's best to make it open and share it with him. Keeping it hidden could count as deceit."
Rena felt anxious.
She really didn't mean to keep it away from Herman. Such a topic was too sensitive for her. She didn't want to speak nor think of it, so she intentionally never brought it up.
But Mildred was right.
Herman should indeed be aware. It was only right for him to know.
She clenched her fists as she uttered. "I will tell him."
As for the courage to do so, she would find it.
She only feared being judged, a rejection was expected after all he was a man who must value children, she just didn't want to be shamed by the man she loved.
Especially now in the face of society, a past like hers was yet considered quite shameful and a disgrace.
She couldn't help but feel a bit despondent.
Mildred frowned, fuming. Rena's expression made her similarly upset. If it weren't for that man — her frown thickened.
"That jerk ex of yours, if you ever see him again you must never let him off!"
Her tone was fierce, as if she couldn't wait to strangle him.
Rena's eyes dimmed.
For a moment, the image of Lester beclouded her mind.
From the second she met him to the last day she did.
She recalled it all.
But she had pushed him away, harshly. She really didn't want to deal with him, she just wanted him gone, away from her life, just as he was before.
She bit her lips softly as she voiced. "He came to me yesterday."
A pause.
Mildred was shocked.
Did she hear right?
According to what she knew, the scoundrel had abandoned her years ago and never came back. How could he now?
Gasping, she immediately questioned. "Are you serious?!"
Her query seemed a little silly cause deep down she knew Rena would never joke over this.
Rena nodded however, leaving her more stunned.
"How shameless! How dare he come to you? It's being years! How did he even find you?"
Rena couldn't respond to the last question cause she was just as puzzled.
Mildred took a breath to calm her anger.
She wasn't so bad tempered but her blood seemed to boil at any topic pertaining to that man.
Only she was one of the few who knew how much Rena had suffered because of him.
Her uterus was damaged, she was dropped out of school, forced out of her own home and turned out all homeless all this at a young age!
All one of these was enough to hate him extremely. How dare he show his face?
Gritting her teeth, she continued. "Why is he back? Don't tell me he wants your love and your forgiveness?"
Rena herself found it somewhat laughable. She scoffed. "Seems like it."
"Shameless!" Mildred exclaimed. "How despicable! Does he think you are yet sixteen? Do you still look like you are still easy to fool?"
The ambience turned somehow gloomy.
Mildred noticed Rena's dampened spirits and chose to forgo the topic. She didn't want to sour her mood any further.
She switched the conversation quickly. "Actually, I have something to share with you."
Rena rose a brow. "What is it?"
"Have you heard of a catering competition? It's been making a lot of buzz recently, even the clients in my shop have been talking of it."
Mildred owned a beauty salon. Although she began the business a year ago after arriving at the Capital City, it had been bustling. She even has apprentices under her now and naturally a lot of clients.
A while ago, she overheard some of her clients chatting of a catering competition.
She searched about it, found it exciting enough and decided to tell Rena of it.
Sure enough, Rena was unaware.
Rena was confused. "What's so special about it?"
Mildred's elated gaze made her befuddled.
Mildred rolled her eyes in annoyance. "You better start getting updated on social media or watch the local news at least. If I was as well unknowing, you would have missed this very good opportunity!"
She was a bit displeased.
Only the heavens knew how delicious Rena's dishes were. Although they might resemble that of an average cooking but the taste was simply divine.
If she does put in a little effort, there was a possibility she could rival renowned chefs.
Mildred was sure of it.
But sadly, this friend of hers doesn't value her own talent. She doesn't even care to make good use of it.
It quite annoyed her.
Rena felt a bit wronged. She was mostly occupied and even when she wasn't, she just wasn't interested in surfing through the news or media.
To her, it was a pretty boring activity.
Mildred resumed enthusiastically. "This Catering competition is being held by the Luke family. You must had heard of them."
Rena did know them.
They were a 2nd ranked wealthy family in the Capital City. They were known for being a family of chefs but the image got tainted when the current head debuted as a company's executive director.
Even so, the restaurants owned by them were still highly sought after. The sales were not affected.
"Why are they hosting a competition?" Her question wasn't unreasonable, after all it was well-known the Luke family had never held competitions. Even Rena herself who was not an internet person was aware.
Mildred explained. "The last chef in the family, Mr Horace is nearly eighty years old. He owns most of the restaurants under the Luke family but due to his age, he is now fitting for retirement. It is said he plans to pass on the Luke's family catering legacy and most of the restaurants under his name to the winner of the competition but of course, all these are rumors and might not be true."
Rena didn't care about this. She wasn't concerned on taking over someone's family business.
She solely asked. "What is the winning price? Is it announced?"
Mildred saw her showing a bit of interest and smiled. Then with an high pitched tone, she exclaimed. "Ten Million!"
Rena was astounded. She thought she might have heard it wrong.
"Ten Million?"
"Yes." Mildred confirmed. "That was why I decided to tell you of the competition the moment I saw it. Rena..." She held her hand firmly, her eyes sparkling with an intense seriousness. "The registration postal isn't open yet but when it is, you must register and participate in this competition, do you hear me?"
Rena was somehow flustered.
Ten million wasn't a small amount. Even if she sold herself an hundred times, she was sure she wouldn't gain that much.
But indeed this was a rare chance. If she could win, she would be able to have much money ample for a lifetime. Who wouldn't be tempted?
With a determined expression, she promised solemnly.
"Don't worry, I know."