Chapter 81: Chapter 81

DARAN

"Daran? You…"

Jonea looked shocked when she saw me. She got into the car and sat down carefully.

"What?" I mumbled nervously, staring at Jonea without blinking.

Am I busted? Is she suspicious? My body froze. I couldn’t move; I was so nervous.

Suddenly, Jonea reached out her hand and gently touched my head. I had no idea why, but it felt amazing. My chest… my heart pounded so hard. My whole body felt like it was buzzing with a million volts of electricity, and at the same time, I felt ridiculously happy.

Jonea even leaned closer and whispered, “Relax… don’t move.”

Even if she didn’t ask, I couldn’t move a muscle anyway. I was scared… even to breathe. I was scared to ruin this moment.

Without realizing it, I closed my eyes. I don’t know what I was expecting to happen. Would Jonea finally kiss me first?

A few seconds later...

"Done!" she said cheerfully.

I didn’t feel anything. No gentle touch on my face, let alone a kiss on my lips. Nothing at all!

When I opened my eyes, I saw Jonea had just let a butterfly fly out through the window.

“That’s it?” I asked, disappointed.

“That’s it?” Jonea repeated, confused. “Oh, there was a butterfly on your head. I didn’t want to hurt it, so I told you not to move. It was so beautiful, and now it’s flying free. How did a butterfly even get in here?”

Now I was the one confused. A butterfly? I couldn’t think straight at all. I secretly pinched my thigh to snap myself out of it.

"Yeah, of course, a butterfly," I mumbled like an idiot.

How could I have been so clueless? Right before Jonea got in the car, I had used magic to turn Eve into a butterfly. It was her own fault for being stubborn and refusing to get out. I didn’t want Jonea to get the wrong idea seeing the two of us in the car together.

“You should’ve just killed that butterfly,” I muttered, holding back my frustration as I started driving.

“What?” Jonea protested. “Daran, that’s so cruel! That butterfly was so pretty. It didn’t hurt anyone.”

“But it was annoying!” I grumbled, still disappointed because what Jonea did wasn’t what I was hoping for.

Jonea sat comfortably next to me. Just a few meters down the road, I suddenly stopped the car.

“What now?” Jonea asked.

I immediately leaned toward her. The scent of her perfume mixed with her natural scent, making me lose control. She flinched, leaning away from me.

“Why are you so scared?” I whispered hoarsely, gripping the seat.

“You… you suddenly stopped the car and got so close. What’s going on?” she asked, clearly nervous.

I was even more frustrated. I grabbed her seatbelt, which she hadn’t put on properly.

“I just want to make sure you’re safe. Remember to always wear your seatbelt!” I grumbled.

I knew she was secretly relieved. Ignoring Jonea, I refocused on driving. But before I started the car again, I couldn’t hold back anymore.

I looked at Jonea again and grabbed her face, then planted a deep, intense kiss on her lips.

Damn! I should’ve done this earlier. Why was I being so awkward and overthinking? I don’t care if she resists. I’ll kiss her anyway! Because that’s what I want. She’s mine!

Jonea murmured, struggling to breathe, even hitting my shoulder hard. Realizing this, I let go, and we both gasped for air.

“Daran Carver, are you crazy?” Jonea wiped her lips and started kicking my legs like mad. “You almost suffocated me! What’s wrong with you?”

Instead of being mad, I burst out laughing at how ridiculous I’d been. Jonea just looked more confused. We locked eyes intensely.

“Jonea, be honest with me. Didn’t you enjoy it? Didn’t you like it?”

Her cheeks flushed red. She tried to say “what,” but no sound came out.

I grabbed her left hand and placed it on my cheek. “Touch my face and look closely. Don’t you like this face?”

Jonea’s eyes widened. “O-of course I do. This face you’re wearing is so handsome and perfect. I always love it when you use this face.” She stared at me, almost hypnotized.

“If you really like this face, then enjoy it as much as you want. Because I’m only showing it to you. I even took off my mask just for you today. Can you stop looking at other guys and just focus on me? Only me!”

“Daran Carver,” Jonea whispered. “What’s gotten into you today? You’re acting so weird and sensitive. Whose face are you even wearing right now?”

I almost shouted at Jonea, telling her this is my face! The real face of Daran Carver that I’ve hidden for hundreds of years from every living being in this world.

***

EVANGELISTA

“Aaahh!”

I screamed in frustration, stomping my feet on the ground by the side of the road.

“Those two are such a terrible, cruel couple! How could the guy turn me into a butterfly and the girl just toss me out of the car window like that?”

As my anger still bubbled, a speeding car nearly hit me. The tires screeched as the driver slammed on the brakes, the noise painfully loud.

I almost used my powers to turn the car into a rock. But when I locked eyes with the driver, my anger immediately melted away.

The driver got out of the car and approached me. “Are you okay?”

“Owen Rivers? Is this a coincidence, seeing you here?”

Owen hesitated for a moment, then looked at me with certainty. “Evangelista?”

“Well, I’ll take this as fate. You showed up at the perfect time. You’re going to give me a ride, right? It’s no big deal to drive me home, considering our… history.”

Owen just stood there, looking at me with a blank expression. I tilted my head slightly, staring at him. Without waiting for his permission, I walked to the passenger seat and sat down comfortably. After a while, Owen followed and sat behind the wheel.

“‘Our history’?” Owen said coldly once we were both seated. “I don’t think we have any kind of history, either in the past or now. But sure, I’ll drive you home.”

I knew the chances of running into Owen Rivers were high when I decided to come to the Blue Sapphire and help Daran keep an eye on Jonea. But I didn’t expect our encounter to happen so soon. Even though I felt awkward and uncomfortable, I had no other choice. I didn’t know anyone else here.

We drove in silence. Owen didn’t even glance at me. He remained as cold as ever, acting like I wasn’t even there.

Just as I was about to break the silence, Owen spoke up at the same time. We both fell silent again.

“You go first,” Owen said, refocusing on the road.

I glanced out the window before speaking. “Don’t you think you’re being a little harsh? You didn’t even greet me properly. You should show some respect to someone older.”

“Never!” Owen snapped. “Even if the world ends, I’ll never call you ‘Auntie.’”

I puffed out my cheeks. This kid was so rude. I’m clearly older, but he treats me like we’re the same age.

“Is it because of back then? Are you still holding a grudge against me? You seem to hate me now.”