Chapter 76: Chapter 76

Aland rushes back to the apartment, having left something important behind. When he arrived at the condo, Aland didn't find Jonea anywhere. The young man went straight to his room and was surprised that Jonea was there.

"Jonea? What are you doing here?"

A few seconds before Aland entered the room, Jonea still had yet to finish downloading several files on Aland's laptop and saving them on a USB. Jonea had turned off the computer, but the USB was still attached. Jonea stood up nervously and covered the computer on the table with her back.

“Uh… um… I think I dropped my phone here," Jonea said. "I came to look for it. Sorry if I was presumptuous because I entered your room without asking permission first."

Aland just frowned and slightly tilted his head while looking at Jonea in surprise.

Aland glanced at the laptop behind Jonea's back. However, the girl immediately shifted and tried to cover up the still-stuck USB.

"You alone, Aland? I thought you went with Elmar. Did something happen?" Jonea quickly distracted Aland.

"Oh, you're right. I left my wallet."

Aland went to bed and looked for his wallet. At that time, Aland also found Jonea's cell phone lying not far from the pillow.

"Is this your phone? It just so happens to be here, too," Aland exclaimed.

When Aland bent down to look for his wallet, Jonea's left hand quickly pulled out the USB from the laptop and slipped it into the back pocket of his pants.

"Oh, thank you," Jonea answered quickly, taking her cell phone from Aland's hand.

As Aland was about to leave again, he received a message. Aland checked the news, and suddenly, his expression changed drastically. Aland became so severe that he even tended to be tense.

"What is it?" Jonea asked. "Is there something urgent?"

At a glance, Jonea could see Aland's eyes glistening. But, the young man quickly hid it and showed Jonea a kind expression.

"Can I ask you one thing, Jonea?" Aland put his hand on the top of Jonea's head gently.

"Y-yes, of course. Say. If I can, I will definitely give it."

"I just got a message from home. My grandpa's health is deteriorating at the moment. And I must return home. Can you stay here until I get back?"

Jonea objected to having to stay there alone. She also felt uncomfortable because it was not her place.

"Please, Jonea. Just hang in here for a few days. I will definitely be back. Can you do it for me?"

Reluctantly, Jonea finally nodded. "I may need to go back to my new rented house. I have some stuff I need to pick up. Is that okay?"

Aland nodded with a relieved smile.

"Are you all right, Aland?"

Aland shook his head. "I'll find out later when I get home. Thus, I beg you to wait for me to return."

***

Aland had not returned for almost a week, nor did he hear from him. Jonea has tried to message but has yet to hear back.

"Is he all right in there? Did something happen to him?" Jonea continues to fidget. Even going to school, she got no answers from either Elmar or Ed.

During those few days, Jonea actually lived alone in Aland's apartment. She felt uncomfortable and didn't know what to do there. She was so lonely and scared.

On the eighth day, Jonea decided to return to her new rental house.

'Sorry, Aland, I must return to my rental house.'

After sending the message and still not responding, Jonea turned off her cell phone.

"Hopefully, Aland's problem will be over soon." Jonea talked to herself as she had just arrived at her rental house. The place is old and in a dense residential area.

When she opened the gate, she was surprised to find Hunter sitting and asleep by the door.

"Hunter? What are you doing here?"

Hearing and smelling Jonea's whereabouts, Hunter immediately woke up from his deep sleep. The young man stood up straight with a slightly wrinkled shirt. Hunter wore a white shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a loose tie. He put a black jacket on the floor with a plastic bag of groceries.

"You finished the party? Are you drunk?" she asked.

Without speaking, Hunter's eyes said everything. He missed Jonea so much. His gaze was deep and passionate. He hugged Jonea and was so happy to see that Jonea was okay.

"H-hunter?" whispered Jonea, surprised. "How did you get here? How did you know I live here?"

There are so many questions that Jonea wants to ask. However, only Hunter was willing to answer. The young man hugged Jona even tighter.

"I've been looking for you everywhere," Hunter whispered on Jonea's head.

Jonea just stood stiff. She didn't react at all. Even though Hunter almost reached out and hugged her, Jonea didn't give a response or warmly welcome the need.

A few seconds later, Jonea suddenly pushed Hunter's chest and escaped the young man's arms.

Hunter was shocked and not used to being rejected. He could no longer control his patience with Jonea's behavior, who constantly refused and avoided him. Annoyed, Hunter pulled Jonea back in a hug and landed one rough kiss.

"Let go!" she shouted.

They panted.

"Tell me, Jonea. Why are you behaving like this to me?" Hunter's voice was hoarse.

"Am I wrong?" replied Jonea. "Our lives are very different. Let me go and look for other girls who are on your level–rich girls, daughters of well-known businessmen. You don't have to struggle so hard with them."

"What is this, Jonea? Why are you saying this? Is it because of my mom? I'm going to sort things out with my mom soon. I promise she will not disturb your life again. Trust me, Jonea. Just give me a little more time."

Hunter ducked down and held Jonea by both shoulders.

"If we can get through this, things will go well."

"Goes well?" Jonea said sarcastically and brushed Hunter's hands off her shoulders. She took a step back. "Are you sure about what you just said?"

Hunter paused and looked sadly at Jonea. "How can you trust me?"

"I really understand when your mother said that our lives are different. We can never meet in the same orbit. Your world is huge, Hunter. And that doesn't touch me at all. Even reaching it, I will not be able to. If you continue to be stubborn about your ego and choices, it's the same as dragging me away and going against the grain."

Hunter was surprised to hear Jonea's explanation.

"Can't you be honest with yourself, Hunter? Even if we can get past this–past the boundaries your mother has set, could that be the end?"

Hunter fell silent and could not give any answer.

"I'm tired. I'm really very tired. Let me be in my own world. I want to avoid crossing into your world and vice versa. I don't want to get involved and have anything to do with your mother and everything related to your world. You have to be with someone right for you."

Hunter shook his head in disapproval. "We can be together, Jonea. If you feel confident and can stick with Aland, why not me? Aland and I belong to the same world. You want to cross and enter the world of Aland, but not me? Why? What makes Aland and I different from you?"

"Hunter, open your eyes! Open your eyes and see how big the difference between us is."

"What do you want me to do?" Hunters are desperate. "I'm trying, Jonea. I tried to keep my mother away from you. I'm trying to protect you from people who will hurt you. I'm trying to be able to accept you. Why are you only giving Aland a chance and not me?"

Jonea was stunned. She was astonished at Hunter's fury that she had never witnessed before. The young man looked so desperate, disappointed, and hurt.

"Let me go! If you let me go, then you don't have to try. Just be yourself like you've been doing all this time. Everything will be easier for us."

Hunter's eyes reddened and filled with tears. "Are you serious about what you said? Can't you see how hard I try? Can't you see how much effort I have made to make you believe and accept me?"

Hunter grabbed Jonea's upper arms and shook her once. The girl really didn't want to meet Hunter's eyes. She feared she would falter and become weak before Hunter's desperate eyes.

Jonea just looked down and shook her head. Even though she was saddened by what Hunter felt, Jonea didn't want to get involved further.

As Hunter demanded explanations and answers from Jonea, a black SUV pulled up in the driveway.

Jonea and Hunter turned their heads. Hunter took a deep breath.

"Go, Hunter. We have no other choice."

"Look me in the eye, Jonea!" shouted Hunter. "Is this really what you want?"

From the black SUV that had just stopped, several men in black suits came out and approached them.

"Return to your world," Jonea whispered in a cold voice. She still refused and did not want to look at Hunter.

The young man was so angry. "What about me? Why did you let me have to sink alone like this? Is this your revenge for the B4 symbol I gave you?"

Hunters rampage. He didn't accept it because Jonea still ignored him and wasn't willing to give him a chance.

Two men in black suits and big bodies came dragging Hunter by force. Hunter screamed, fought back, and kicked them. But, all in vain. His mother's bodyguards forcefully continued to tow Hunter to the SUV.

Jonea turned around and silently wiped away her tears.

"Jonea!" shouted Hunter, fighting off the clutches of his mother's bodyguards. "Let go of me, you bastards! Jonea!" call Hunter one more time. However, the bodyguards kept dragging Hunter out of Jonea's house.

"Don't believe Aland! You're only going to get hurt. What you witnessed, it's not like the truth!" shouted Hunter.

Jonea, who was getting ready to leave, suddenly stopped and froze. She slowly turned and looked at Hunter, who had been dragged into the SUV. The car was going fast. Jonea tried to chase after her but couldn't.

"What did Hunter's words mean just now?"