Chapter 504
“I never tried to impress you, Mr. Jennings. I really respect you–like someone I look up to,” I blurted out.
“Elder?” Edward’s dark eyes narrowed. “Are you trying to use seniority as a shield against me?”
“I wouldn’t dare, but that’s just how it is,” I replied, keeping my composure.
Edward tapped his long fingers lightly on the table. “The more you try to push me away, the more I find myself drawn to you. Do you get it?”
My heart started pounding. ‘This guy is such a piece of work–he’s always the exact opposite of normal,’ I thought.
Edward raised an eyebrow. “Don’t be mad. Honestly, I don’t want to be like this either, but… before I know it, I just want to see you and hear you talk.”
“Mr. Jennings, do you seriously have a thing for being mistreated?” I snapped, unable to hold back. ‘He really shouldn’t be into me at all,’ I thought.
Edward nodded. “Ever since I was a kid, I could get anything I wanted–except love. My ex-wife and I had an arranged marriage. She didn’t want to marry me, and I didn’t want to marry her, but we were both forced into it. After the wedding, we just kept up the act. Our families kept pushing us to have a kid, so we had to get ourselves drunk just to have a daughter. One day, she said she was done pretending, and we split up amicably.”
I stared at him in shock. I never would’ve guessed his whole marriage was just pretending.
No wonder he was so good at it.
“I’m in my thirties, and this is the first time I’ve ever felt real longing, real heartbreak. Victoria, you’re not the only one hurting,” Edward said, gripping his coffee cup tight before letting go and spinning it slowly. “I know it’s messed up, but I can’t help it. There’s always this voice in my head, telling me to make up any excuse just to see you.”
My mind was a tangled mess as I stared out the window. “We can’t do this. It’s just wrong.”
Edward looked stunned for a moment, then nodded, admitting, “Yeah, it’s wrong.”
“Then you need to put an end to these feelings,” Victoria pleaded.
“I do my best,” Edward replied, glancing at me again. “But honestly, you’re adorable even when you’re mad. What am I supposed to do?”
My face went completely blank.
Edward saw me frozen like a deer in headlights and let out a quiet laugh. “Come on, don’t space out. Just eat something.”
“I just can’t,” I said, putting down my fork. I’d completely lost my appetite.
Edward let out a sigh, sounding like he’d given up on arguing with me. “I’ll have someone keep tabs on your brother. Relax, I’m not out to mess him up. I’ll make sure he gets the help he needs to grow, step by step, until he can stand on his own.”
I looked up at him in surprise.
Edward was watching me, his gaze dark and intense. “I’m not as terrible as you think, but… I’m shameless enough to use this as an excuse just to get you to notice me more.”
I sucked in a breath. ‘This guy is seriously sick… and it’s not a minor case.’
I hesitated, starting to say, “My brother’s girlfriend…”
Edward cut me off, not missing a beat. “I got her a job too. Now that they both have steady work, maybe they’ll tie the knot even sooner, right?”
Honestly, I just wanted my brother to find some stability, get married, have kids, and build a happy little family of his own.
“Don’t worry. Once we’re in Braylin, I won’t be meeting you in private like this anymore,” Edward said, catching my stunned look. He sighed softly. “It’s only here in Shaville that I can let myself act on my feelings. In Braylin, that’s just not possible.”
“Thank you for taking care of my brother, Mr. Jennings,” I said, lifting my coffee cup. “Just make sure you keep your promise and don’t bring him any trouble, okay?”
Edward’s eyes grew darker, and he gave a self-deprecating chuckle. “Am I really that bad?”
“Everyone knows capitalists have ice in their veins. Being bad is just part of the deal,” I joked, smiling.
Edward laughed too, tapping his coffee cup against mine. “Wrong. When it comes to you, my blood’s anything but…”