Chapter 80: Chapter 80

DARAN

I was at the museum checking out some new art pieces that had just arrived from abroad. Besides working as a curator, I’m also an appraiser. I need to verify the authenticity and price of these historical items before they're handed over to collectors.

I packed up my stuff, grabbed my car keys, and was about to leave the museum when one of the staff approached me.

“Excuse me, Mr. Carver.”

I stopped and turned to face her. She was a beautiful and very attractive woman. She’s been the one helping me with all my affairs at the museum.

“Um... so, I just got word that some of the items you were looking for have been found. We should go to the client’s place to check them out. So, how about we discuss the schedule... over dinner?”

She was always so polite yet cheerful. She never let me down when it came to work. But, I couldn’t treat her the same way. I’m still me.

“Maybe another time,” I answered coldly. I turned and was ready to leave.

She quickened her pace and blocked my way again. “Well, I’ll schedule it. When exactly is this ‘another time’?”

For the first time, I actually looked at her face. After years of working at this museum, I’d barely noticed her.

“I thought by giving vague, roundabout answers, I was being polite. But, I guess I need to be clearer so you don’t misunderstand again, Miss. I don’t want to have dinner with you.”

“WHAT?” She looked utterly shocked.

“I don’t feel comfortable eating with others,” I replied coldly. “So please, don’t put me in this situation again.”

I just walked away, leaving her there.

It felt too early to head home, but I didn’t have any other plans and no idea where to go. Honestly, lately, everything in this world just seems so boring.

Sitting in my car, suddenly, I thought of Jonea. “She’s been acting weird lately. It’s so obvious she’s avoiding me. Is she trying to get back at me for what happened the other day? She’s such a grudge-holder!”

I picked up my phone and sent her a message.

***

JONEA

“Why are you just staring at your food? If you’re not hungry, you shouldn’t have ordered anything!” Marilyn grumbled.

She hated it when people wasted food.

“No, I’ll eat it. Watch, I’m going to finish every bite,” I said, starting to shove food in my mouth, even though my body was rejecting it.

“You’re not acting like yourself,” Marilyn said, eyeing me seriously. “Why? Still thinking about your feelings from last night?”

Cough! I choked and quickly took a drink.

“What?”

“So, are you going to admit you like him?” Marilyn pressed.

“I... like him? Like who? No way! Never.” I shook my head quickly, secretly letting out a heavy sigh.

To change the subject, I pulled out my phone. There was a message waiting.

Huh? A message from Daran?

“Jonea, I’ll be passing by your campus after the museum. Should I stop by so we can go home together?”

Oh no, how did I not notice his message? It’s been 30 minutes! Has he already left?

Panicking, I immediately called him, leaving Marilyn alone at the university cafeteria.

***

DARAN

Jonea ignored my message too. Hah! Looks like I’m stuck spending the rest of the day bored at home.

I had just gotten back to my house. This big house was completely silent. The kids must still be out.

As I opened the door, my phone rang. “Who’s calling? The only number I have in my phone is Jonea’s. Is it her?”

I pulled out my phone and answered it right away. “Yeah, Jonea?”

“Daran... sorry, I just saw your message. Is it too late? Have you already passed my campus?”

“Yeah...” I replied. Thirty minutes ago, and now I’m home. So what?

“That’s a shame,” Jonea muttered, sounding disappointed.

“What’s up?”

“I could’ve saved on taxi fare if I’d gone home with you.”

“Well, will you still be there?”

I was thrilled to hear this, but I kept my tone cold and my voice flat. I didn’t want to sound too eager.

“It’s not too far, so I can get there soon. I’m still on the road. I’ll turn around,” I lied smoothly.

“Really? Then, see you at campus,” Jonea said.

I rushed out of the house, driving as fast as I could back to her campus. Honestly, using human transportation is such a hassle. I could’ve used a time portal, but I really wanted to kill this boredom. Driving with Jonea sounds fun.

I arrived at her campus, and it was pretty quiet. Maybe most students had already left since it was nearly evening.

I checked myself in the mirror a few times, making sure I didn’t look disappointing. Today, I wasn’t wearing my mask, showing my true face. But I wasn’t sure—maybe Jonea would think I looked like someone else.

I looked around, but Jonea was nowhere to be seen yet. I even sniffed my clothes a few times to check if I still smelled good.

Grabbing some cologne from the glove compartment, I sprayed myself again.

“I hope this is enough.”

Knock, knock.

Someone tapped on my window.

That’s got to be Jonea! I thought.

I turned, but I had to swallow my disappointment. A woman opened the door and sat right down next to me.

“Drive me to the hotel,” Eve said casually, sitting where Jonea should have been.

“Hey... hey!” I protested. “Why should I drive you?”

“Didn’t I tell you I’m staying in a suite there?”

“I don’t care, now get out!” I snapped.

But instead of leaving, Eve started bothering me. “Why not? Didn’t you come here to pick me up? You even got a new car.”

I glared at her. “You know that’s not true!” I shot back.

“Wow, you’re not wearing your mask. Been a while, huh? Where’s that dumb thing? In the glove compartment?”

“Eve, please, just get out!”

But she just leaned back, all comfortable. “I can’t believe the great Daran Carver is picking someone up. Jonea Rawling must really be something now!”

I glanced around to make sure Jonea wasn’t nearby yet. Eve kept talking. “But you’re such a disappointment. I’ve given you advice straight from my heart. You’ve never been happy once you start feeling something. I told you not to let silly emotions ruin your life. Yet here you are, ignoring my advice?”

“I didn’t ignore anything. I never liked her to begin with. To me, Jonea’s just a pawn, someone useful to me.”

Eve’s smile disappeared. She looked at me seriously. “You sure she’s no different from all the other boring people you’ve met, Daran Carver?”

I went quiet, turning away from her. “Of course. To me, she’s just someone I can use whenever I need to. If I distance myself from her without a reason, it’d be even weirder.”

Eve squinted at me. “You sound way more suspicious with all those excuses!”

Through the rearview mirror, I saw Jonea walking toward us. “Stop talking nonsense and get out now!”

“Why? Just tell her we know each other. Pretend we met somewhere else. Maybe at a club or something?”

I hissed, and Jonea was getting closer. “Don’t mess with me, Eve!”

“I’m not joking, Daran Carver! Now, take me to the hotel.”

I had no choice. Jonea was almost here. I didn’t want her to see me with another woman. I didn’t want her to think badly of me.

Without realizing it, I was gripping the steering wheel tightly. Eve still wouldn’t leave, and now Jonea was reaching for the door handle.

“Daran?” Jonea looked shocked as she opened the door.