Chapter 49: Chapter 49

"Sorry, Jonea. Because I was presumptuous to decide without your approval first." Elmar said so politely and softly in front of Jonea.

They stood in front of Jonea's house. Elmar picked her up in a limousine driven by a private chauffeur.

Shortly before coming down to pick up Jonea, Elmar had prepared a dress and shoes. However, he hesitated when he was about to give it to Jonea. Elmar was worried that his good intentions would offend Jonea. Finally, the dress and shoes were left sitting in the car.

"If I'm being honest," Jonea said hesitantly. "I'm actually reluctant to come to this party."

"Oh, don't you think you'll let me come alone without a partner?" Elmar threatened.

Jonea bit her lower lip. "Of course not! After all, you have done a lot for my brother. And I think… there's nothing wrong with coming and getting acquainted with my future schoolmates."

"That's smart!" cried Elmar.

He put his right hand around his waist for Jonea to hold it.

That evening Jonea wore a light peach dress that matched her body shape and skin tone very well. Jonea got the dress from her mother. Although the style of the dress is outdated, it is still very decent and beautiful to wear. It was the only finest dress she had.

"I'm sorry if my appearance was a bit inappropriate." Jonea looks nervous and not at all confident.

"No, you're perfect!" cried Elmar. "You always look beautiful the way you are."

Elmar bowed slightly in salute. His decision was right by not giving the dress that had been prepared. Elmar would rather see Jonea be herself.

All the way to the party venue, Jonea seemed preoccupied with her own thoughts. She was more silent, lowered her head, and occasionally played a finger.

"Are you nervous?" asked Elmar carefully. "I should be the one nervous. Truly, it is an honor for me to walk with a girl as beautiful and gentle as you, Jonea."

Jonea turned and narrowed her eyes. "How many girls have you told those sweet words to? You seem experienced and adept at dealing with nervous and inexperienced girls like me. Whereas I'm just an amateur. I was so awkward and insecure."

Elmar took Jonea's hand from his lap and kissed it softly. Jonea had resisted, but in the end, she let it go.

"From now on, you only need to look and stare at me," Elmar whispered. "Ignore everyone you will meet later. Just focus on me so you don't get nervous and feel comfortable."

Jonea tried to smile and nodded firmly.

'Phew! For some reason, Elmar's presence always calmed me down. Even though he is a true playboy, his maturity always gives him peace of mind.'

"I think you're not as bad as people think so far," Jonea said softly.

Elmar's ears twitched. His face was smiling.

"Is it true?" Elmar smiled broadly and was so happy to get Jonea's sincere compliment.

"Actually, you're the first girl to say I'm good. The other girls always said I was a jerk, a fucker, a bastard, a loser, and other nasty things. Ha ha ha… Yes, I deserve all of that. Because… I always hurt their feelings."

Elmar suddenly fell silent and turned his gaze to the window. There was anxiety in his voice. There is a sadness that he hides.

"Why are you deliberately showing your bad side in front of them? Even though you have a kind and warm side."

Elmar was surprised. He felt like his stomach was filled with millions of tickling butterflies. This was the first time Elmar felt his heart beating fast and out of control. That foreign sensation and feeling he had never felt before. Even when he was with other girls his whole life. Elmar can only feel sexual satisfaction and a brief romance with them.

"Jonea…." Elmar's voice was hoarse and heavy.

"Yes?" Jonea didn't notice the change in Elmar's demeanor.

"Do you know? Tonight too, I'm willing to give my whole life for you. I will do anything to protect and take care of you. I would never hurt you."

Jonea finally looked at Elmar seriously. She was silent for a moment, then burst out laughing.

Even Elmar was confused. He expected to get a different response from Jonea. Even though he was serious about speaking his heart out. Seeing Jonea, who was cheerful and not nervous anymore, Elmar laughed too.

"What is so funny?" he asked.

"Is that a declaration of love? Your way of conveying feelings is old-fashioned. You should convey it more elegantly and frankly. Because I don't think you're the conventional type."

Elmar's eyes twinkled. He was sure, this time, he really fell in love. After all this time and exploring hundreds of girls, he finally found the girl he had been looking for and waiting for.

"I know you don't take me seriously," Elmar said patiently. "But, I will ensure you understand my feelings in time."

Jonea was still smiling and shaking her head. Tears came to her eyes as she laughed so hard.

Jonea should have taken Elmar seriously. She knew the young man was just playing and having fun. Just like he used to do with the other girls.

They entered the party area in the private garden on the 50th floor of the penthouse. The site is more accurately called a super-large greenhouse. But, designed as a garden that looks beautiful and beautiful at a height.

"Is this building owned by Aland?" Jonea has always been curious.

"Yeah, this is one of the properties that Aland will inherit in the future."

Jonea let out a deep breath and grew even more nervous. When they were about to enter the party area, Jonea suddenly stopped.

"You are okay? Are you nervous? I told you, just focus your attention on me!"

Jonea shook her head and forced a smile. "I need a little time. Aland once helped and saved me. I was just thinking of how I could thank you."

"When you came home from work at the cafe that night?"

"How do you know?" Jonea was a little surprised. "Aland told it to you?"

Elmar shook his head. "That night, I actually wanted to wait and take you home. But I still have work waiting. I can't leave him. I asked for help from Aland to guard and watch over you."

Jonea nodded in understanding. "Then, the birthday party tonight? Is this party for Aland's girlfriend?"

Finally, the question slipped from Jonea's lips. She was always curious but afraid to say it. She was scared of the answer she would hear.

"So that's what made you nervous? Are you interested in Aland?" Elmar asked in a slightly jealous tone.

Before Jonea could explain, Edison came up to greet them along with Ashley.

"Is this the girl who made you the butt of gossip at school, Honey?" Ashley clung coquettishly to Ed.

"Introduce her name is Jonea," said Ed.

Jonea reached out with a friendly smile, but Ashley ignored her. She instead lifted the corners of her lips and sneered at Jonea.

"Your clothes are so tacky. Where did you get this old dress? Second-hand shop?" Ashley laughed, but Ed immediately admonished her to keep her bearings.

"Sorry, Honey. I just can't stand to see her dress wrong. Well, Elmar, did you intentionally come with this girl to make you stand out?"

Elmar is very sick of Ashley's attitude. But he also couldn't do anything to protect Ed's feelings.

Feeling that her introduction was unwelcome, Jonea pulled her hand again and tried to be as calm as possible. Even though she didn't know what was wrong, Ashley seemed to hate her.

Several girls dragged him away when Elmar was about to speak up and defend Jonea. No matter how hard Elmar refused, they had taken him away from Jonea's side.

"We have to find Sapphira," whispered Ed. He wanted to take his lover away from Jonea.

"Let me go!" Ashley rebelled and drew closer to Jonea. "There will be more and more poor people from the lower classes in our schools. It looks like I have to ask the foundation to correct their policies. Abraham High School was made for us–high-class students from werewolf families. It shouldn't be spoiled by the presence of poor scholarship-seeking students like you." Ashley was speaking louder and more curtly in Jonea's presence.

"Ashley, please watch your speech!" scolded Ed. "We'd better hurry and congratulate Sapphira."

Jonea's eyes are hot. She couldn't repay Ashley's harsh treatment. The girl went away to a quiet corner.

"Why are you being so rude, Ashley?" Ed hissed, dragging the girl's arm.

"I'm telling the truth, Honey. Don't you agree with my opinion? You always said that Abraham's school was reserved for us. People like us. You also had time to make a petition to reject poor students, especially from among humans who often cause problems at school.

Ed looked down with a red face with anger. His hands clenched at his sides.

"And I really regret my attitude and actions at that time. If I could turn back time, I want to go back and beat myself up for not saying such a cruel thing!" Edison hissed.

Ashley was surprised to see Edison's change. "What is wrong with? You've changed a bit lately and are more introverted. You also always turn down my invitations to take vacations and parties. Are you in trouble?"

"Yeah, Ashley. My problem is coming from myself. I'm too stupid and naive to look at this life. I'm too spoiled by wealth. I hope you also immediately regret your harsh words earlier. Ed walked away from Ashley.

The girl gaped and began to snarl, annoyed because Edison had offended her. "What's wrong with him? Did he lose playing the game to make it so frustrating, huh? This really sucks. I was more annoyed at that girl named Jonea. Why are Ed and Elmer always protecting her?"

Ashley shifted her focus to Jonea, standing in a quiet corner. On the other hand, she realized that Safira and Aland were approaching the girl.

Ashley grabbed a glass of wine from the table. She walked fast, even too fast, to where Jonea was.

Before Aland and Safira met Jonea, Ashley had bumped into Jonea from the side and accidentally spilled wine on her dress.

"Oh, what did you do to my dress?!" she shouted. She pretended to be a victim, even though Jonea's dress had more wine spilled on it.

Jonea, who was shocked, immediately backed away. She looked down at her soiled dress and took a deep breath. She was furious and upset. But she didn't want to make a scene and be the center of attention. Jonea could see Ashley grinning triumphantly.

Elmar immediately came and took a handkerchief. He cleaned up the spilled wine on Jonea's dress as best he could.

"I'm fine, Elmar. Let me."

Elmar turned to Ashley and was angry. "What have you done?"

"You don't see? That girl bumped into me and ruined my dress!" she shouted.

Elmar sighed. "Everyone can also see whose clothes are dirty here!" Elmar focused on arguing with Ashley.

"I'm sorry," Ashley said insincerely. "How much is the dress? I'll replace it." Ashley took out a black card from her wallet.

Jonea stopped wiping the wine from her dress and tightly squeezed Elmar's handkerchief.

There was a long pause between the two of them. The festive atmosphere of the party suddenly became tense and quiet. Everyone saw the argument between Jonea and Ashley. Their eyes fell on Jonea's figure, which was different from theirs, like heaven and earth. And they began to wonder who this very strange-looking Jonea was.

Not. Not. Not.

There was the sound of shoes stamping on the cold marble floor. All the invited guests instantly froze. They turned to the owner of the footsteps.

"Saphira," Ashley greeted cheerfully. "Happy Birthday, my friend!" Ashley stretched out her arms and wanted to hug Safira.

However, Safira, who walked gracefully and accompanied by Aland beside her, grabbed a cake from the table and threw it into Ashley's chest.

"Wooo!" shouted everyone in shock.

Jonea almost cried because she was embarrassed. She didn't want to look bad in front of Aland.

Jonea has tried to make herself up and look her best. However, her dress was now dirty, and Aland witnessed everything.

Jonea retreated, wanting to leave there. But, suddenly, Hunter stood behind her and held the girl's back. Hunter took off his coat and threw it over the shoulders of the hunched Jonea. He covered Jonea's face and head possessively so others wouldn't have to see Jonea's tears.