Janet was in the middle of a pleasant lunch with her colleagues.
“Lind, your phone’s been ringing for a while now. Someone is probably trying to reach you.” Gerda
spoke through a mouthful of beef noodles. She was exceptionally observant by nature, so she was able
to hear Janet’s phone even with all the chatter around them.
It was a good thing, too, since Janet herself hadn’t been paying attention to the device. She picked it
up now, and hurriedly opened her screen to a message from Bernie. He was asking her out, saying that
he wanted to apologize to her in person. Janet paused, hesitating.
Bernie had never treated her badly. If anything, he had always tried to do the best for her. He used to
speak up for Janet whenever Jocelyn would bully her. He certainly wasn’t as vicious as Fiona or
Jocelyn.
Moreover, Bernie had a gentle, easy going demeanor. It wasn’t even much of a surprise that he had
reached out to her after they had fallen out.
After a moment’s consideration, Janet typed a reply. She agreed to meet with Bernie at a cafe of his
choosing.She headed straight over once office hours were over.
Janet sat there for a good while, but Bernie seemed to be running late. It was already well past the
appointed time.She ordered a cup of coffee just as the sun was starting to set outside.She finally
decided to give Bernie a call, but it went unanswered… Janet told herself to wait for ten more minutes,
and if he still didn’t show up, she would just leave. It was the rush hour, so Bernie could have gotten
stuck in traffic.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the waiter, who set her coffee on the table. The
intoxicating aroma was irresistible. Janet was just about to take a sip when someone stopped her.
It was Kent.
She had no idea when he had come, but he just slid into the chair across her table as if it was the most
natural thing in the world.
“I strongly advise you not to drink that,” Kent warned before grabbing the cup from her hands. He put it
back down on the table with a loud clink.
“What do you mean?” Janet asked, frowning.
“What kind of trick are you playing this time?” Her temples began to throb. She always had a headache
every time she came across this man. She had really thought she wouldn’t have to deal with Kent
again, what with the collaboration between their companies being over and all.
To be precise, she wasn’t expecting this playboy’s interest in her to last this long. Janet made to get up,
intending to leave the cafe altogether. But Kent stopped her again. He braced his hands on either side
of her, trapping her in. His large frame loomed over her dangerously.
The overpowering scent of his cologne washed over Janet. It was nothing like Ethan used, neither cool
nor refreshing.
“What do you think you’re doing? Back off, or I’ll scream!” Janet raised her chin defiantly and tried to
stand up again, only to sit back for fear of touching Kent. He could tell she was only pretending to be
brave. He saw the panic in her eyes. Kent chuckled softly.
“I was just worried about you, you know. The waiter who served you just now is a wanted rapist with an
impressive criminal record. Oh, did you want him to have his way with you, by any chance? If so, then
please, be my guest.”
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