Chapter 46: Chapter 46

JONEA

When I was about to speak to ask about Aland, suddenly, from behind, I felt someone tap my shoulder. He even leaned in and brought his lips closer to mine to whisper.

“You... Why are you here? I looked everywhere for you.”

I glanced at the man who was suddenly beside me. I tremble. “O-owen?”

“Well, it’s me!” Owen grinned, but his gaze was fixed on Hunter with such sharp eyes.

I turned to Hunter. He looked so restless.

“Why are you interrupting our lunch?”

Owen stood straight and arrogantly said to Hunter, “Annoying, you say?”

I knew this wouldn’t end well. I stood up and grabbed Owen’s arm. “Sorry, I forgot to tell you that I can’t go home with you today.”

Suddenly, Hunter stood up from his chair and was about to speak, but I cut him off first. “It seems like I can’t continue eating this lunch. I have to go back immediately because I have urgent business.”

Without waiting for the two men to talk to each other, I pulled Owen’s hand away from there. We hurried to leave the restaurant. Even though I knew that while in the car, Owen wouldn’t stop grumbling because, I ran away quietly. Even though I had agreed to leave and go home only with Owen as Daran requested.

“How did you find me?”

Owen hit the wheel. “I don’t care that you could die at any time! But I care about myself. If you get into trouble again, like the other day, my life will be in danger. You know very well how my uncle--”

“I’m fine!” I replied irritably. I hate their possessive nature. I feel like a prisoner.

“Jonea!” Owen shouted as he grabbed my arm.

I’m so scared. Whether I liked it or not, I turned to him. Our eyes met.

“Stay away from that man--Hunter Abraham!”

I stared in surprise. “Do you know who Hunter is?”

Owen’s face turned cold. “I have investigated him. Not that I want to interfere, but I have the right to know who the people who are potentially dangerous to you are. Because it’s part of my job to protect you. Do not expect too much. But I will definitely kill him any time before he can lay his fangs on you!”

***

After yesterday’s lunch incident, I didn’t want to talk to Owen. I also try to avoid Daran when we are at home. I really felt awkward and uncomfortable.

This morning, I even sneaked out of the house and went to campus by bus. I didn’t want to face Owen, even though I knew he was secretly following the bus I was on with his car behind.

When I arrived on campus, I went to the locker to exchange books. When I was about to close the locker door, Hunter was beside me with a cold expression. He really likes having a new hobby of stalking people. I don’t seem to recognize him. He was completely different from the Hunter I knew before.

“You like ignoring people?” Hunter asked coldly.

“Do you like stalking people?” I replied no less coldly.

“When we arrived at campus this morning, I said we would meet at the back gate. I waited for you there for quite a long time.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? I never even made a promise like that to you.”

“I already said it in a text message. Ah, just forget about this. How about you come with me to the movies this weekend?”

I was even more surprised. “I was wrong to think that you had changed. You’re still the same Hunter--pushy, arrogant, and selfish. Why do you want to go with me--”

***

MARILYN

“Seriously? Is that Hunter Abraham? Who is that girl with him?”

“I don’t know, I’ve seen them together a lot lately. Is that girl the current Hunter type? But I’m not at all sure. Maybe that girl was deliberately teasing Hunter.”

“Ah, you’re right. Do you remember this year’s best student? She tried to flirt with Hunter a year ago before Hunter went on leave. Do you know what happened? Even a girl as beautiful and intelligent as she was humiliated for trying to seduce Hunter. Can you imagine what will happen to that ugly girl?”

I stood in front of the two girls who were talking about Jonea. At the end of the hall, I saw Hunter had just left Jonea, who was standing in front of the lockers. This scene made me very upset. I purposely bumped into the two gossiping girls and drove them out.

I heard them shouting in anger because of my actions. I don’t care. I continued walking and approached Jonea.

“Come on, come with me!”

Without waiting for Jonea’s approval, I dragged her to the fine arts studio. The place was quiet, and there were only two of us, so I could talk freely with Jonea.

I looked at Jonea sharply and seriously. Meanwhile, she looked normal, as if nothing had happened.

“What?” Jonea asked.

I tilted my head slightly before asking. “What exactly is going on between you and Hunter Abraham?”

Suddenly, Jonea averted her eyes from me. By then, I already knew something was up.

Reluctantly, she said, “Nothing happened. We just went for lunch yesterday. I’m sorry, but I suddenly canceled my lunch appointment with you. Are you angry because of that? Let’s have lunch later.”

“What? Did you have lunch with him? Just the two of you? Why?” I sighed and folded my arms across my chest. “He really is a bastard. You haven’t forgotten that, have you, Jonea? Are you now defecting to him?”

“No, that’s not like that!” Jonea answered quickly. “We just eat, and that’s all.”

I laughed in disbelief. Jonea even ignored me. Now, she is busy reading messages on her cell phone.

***

JONEA

[So, we’re going to watch a movie this weekend. I will pick you up. Submit your home address.]

I stared in shock when I received the brutal message on my cell phone. Hunter, how dare he make his own decisions even though I never agreed.

Suddenly, Marilyn grabbed my cell phone and read a message from Hunter. Marilyn looked at me in disbelief.

“Watching movies? Have you decided to reconcile with him and even date? Did you fall in love with him?”

Marilyn kept attacking me with strange questions, and she didn’t even give me a chance to explain the truth.

“You... Misunderstood. Not like that!”

“You eat lunch with him, attend classes together, and now watch movies? In that case... Is he trying to seduce you?”

“Of all the people on this campus, why should he be interested in me? I’m sure it’s not because of that.”

“Then does he have an ulterior motive?”

Marilyn and I looked at each other. I was silent for a moment. Of course, I also thought about what Marilyn was worried about. At lunch with Hunter yesterday, I hadn’t even had time to ask him about Aland. If Hunter has other goals, then I also have my own goals.