Chapter 47: Chapter 47

JONEA

“I have to find out about this before it gets worse. There must be a reason why Hunter tried to approach me. Yes, I will become so unlikeable that he will never want to have anything to do with me again!”

Marilyn sighed. “Can’t you just say that you don’t like him and don’t want him to come near you again? Just tell him if you’re uncomfortable!”

“What if he thinks I’m selling high? I’ve done that method--being honest with him--a few years ago, remember? And what happened? He remains stubborn and confidently assumes that I also secretly like him!”

“Hah!” Marilyn sighed.

“I will also remind you again. Both then and now, Hunter is still the idol of girls. Even now, many girls in my department really like him. If I reject Hunter bluntly, he gets hurt and starts bad rumors about me. So, I’ll return to the same hole I was in a few years ago. What if the girls start hating and being hostile to me like before?”

“You are right.” Marilyn brushed her bangs in annoyance.

I grinned in annoyance. “Then the best way is to make him sick of me. That way, he will give up and won’t bother me anymore.”

I grumbled in my heart. I don’t have much time left. I could even die anytime because of the curse magic in my blood. However, the short time I have now is wasted because of Hunter. I had to get rid of him before he would ruin my goals. That rich bastard is really annoying! Why must my life continue to be bound by fate with him?

“Hey, Marilyn, can you advise me on how to make Hunter sick of me?”

Marilyn glared. “Miss, you are wrong if you ask me for advice. You should ask an expert--a person who has often rejected and dumped his girlfriends. An expert in love matters!”

I gasped for a moment. An expert? I think I know someone suitable for that matter.

***

I rushed home. When I almost arrived at the gate, I saw many couriers arriving. They each brought a package addressed to Daran’s address.

I sneered at the couriers who arrived. “Wow, Owen, he’s spending a lot of money shopping online again? You are a spoiled child and not mature at all!”

As soon as I entered the house, I was greeted with strange items. I was about to scream at Owen to clean up the things he just bought, but Daran appeared from the kitchen.

“Do you like it?” Daran asked in a cheerful tone—unlike his usual cold and stiff voice. He had just come out of the kitchen carrying a cup of coffee.

“What? I?” Confused, I started checking the packages on the floor. I opened some and checked the contents. “Is all this for me?”

“Well, I know girls nowadays really like stuff like this. So I bought it for you!” Daran said proudly.

I was shocked to see those things. Sometimes, I opened it. It contained ceramic bowls, woven wall hangings, and very large hair ribbons, and he even bought a scarf with a very striking floral motif.

I almost felt sick looking at all the contents. What year of girl is Daran referring to who likes things like this? These vintage items are more suitable gifts for my grandmother than for me. Does he think he’s still living in the Stone Age?

Maybe Daran is aware of our situation. He approached and spoke carefully. “I thought you would like it. That’s why I bought all this for you. I learn about girls’ tastes through teenage reference books in my library. Don’t you like it?”

I couldn’t help but stare. “You bought all this for me? You don’t even know what I like. So you bought everything based on... Teenage book references... What year?”

“You seemed to like them all, so I bought them all for you!”

Daran is still stubborn about his mistakes. What a stodgy old man!

Even though I felt nauseous, I still tried to smile. “Oh, that’s very kind of you. You are a gentle and caring man.”

However, I don’t want to be mean. He’s been very good to me. Even though these items will be useless, I appreciate his effort.

Then I remembered something—my goal was to hurry home today. I grabbed Daran’s arm and took him to sit on the sofa. This time, I will seriously listen to any suggestions.

“Daran, I know you’re a man who would do all this without a second thought. But you are more skilled at playing with your heart than I thought.”

Daran cleared his throat.

“Daran... How many women have you dated in your life?”

He cleared his throat louder. Even quickly took the coffee cup and drank it.

“I mean, you’re quite old. Moreover, with your handsome face, you can change it to be as handsome as you like. You must have had a lot of dating experience, right?”

“Cough!” Daran choked on his own coffee.

I quickly took a tissue and gave it to Daran.

“Jonea, what do you mean? What do you really want to say?”

“Okay, since you asked, I’ll just say it immediately. I need help from an experienced person like you. Could you help me?” I am very enthusiastic and excited.

Daran left his coffee and focused his attention on me. “Okay, can you explain from the start so I understand your situation?”

Without thinking, I explained everything about my meeting with Hunter on campus. Although I’m sure Daran doesn’t know Hunter and has no thoughts about him, I just said that Hunter was a friend from college and a normal person.

“Hmm, so you want to disappoint this man? And make sure he won’t come near you again?”

I felt a little strange because Daran sounded so enthusiastic. I thought he wouldn’t care; my request was just a joke.

“Yes, I want him to stop approaching me.”

“So what do you want me to do?”

“Go on a date with me!” I asked without hesitation.

I couldn’t see the expression on Daran’s face, but from his body movements, I could tell he was shocked.

“Dating?”

“My uncle is very busy. He doesn’t have time to play with you,” said Owen, who suddenly appeared and took the seat before us. “How about just me? Wouldn’t it make more sense if you dated me instead of an old man?” Owen grinned at me and glanced seriously at Daran.

Daran immediately stood up. Before I could respond to Owen’s idea, Daran said quickly, “Let’s do it! This is the same as we will take a test to get a driver’s license, right? We need to do exercises and simulations. I want to do a test date before you become my bride.”

Owen clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. I looked at them both alternately.