Chapter 129

“What a gossip,” Patrick said. “Why don’t you bring that woman over and let us meet her? I’d rather like to know what she looks like.”

In their circle, Jason had always been cold towards women. Even Jennifer Atkinson, his fiancée that year, had been treated coldly. It was unprecedented for him to besiege a house with police cars in the middle of the night, all for a woman. Patrick had been stunned by this. Afterward, he’d called to ask Jason about it.

However, Patrick’s curiosity made Jason inexplicably unhappy. He didn’t want other men to be curious about her, or for her to meet them. He simply wanted her to be in a place where only he could see her. He worried that if Patrick and the others met her, she might become one of…

Jason knew Patrick’s group was quite popular with women, especially Brian. Any woman Brian liked usually became his girlfriend, even if they knew the relationships were short-lived. The thought of Brian being interested in Grace agitated Jason.

Perhaps, to others, the name “Jason” implied access to any woman he desired. But those three words were Grace's greatest taboo.

“It’s just a woman. What’s there to see?” Jason said lightly.

“But this woman is different. You even abandoned your old master for her,” Patrick said. “Tsk tsk, I’ve never seen you care so much about a woman before. Don’t tell me you’ve fallen in love with her and want to hide her away?”

The more Patrick spoke, the more agitated Jason became. He pictured Grace's delicate and beautiful face. Unease settled in his heart.

“Just moments ago, I was worried she’d fall for another man. Have I really fallen for Grace? No, that’s impossible. I just liked being with her.”

He had sworn never to fall in love.

“There’s nothing different. It’s just a game, a way to kill time. I’ve been bored. Don’t be so curious,” he said, attempting a casual tone.

The next moment, a clear sound of something falling to the ground came from behind him. His body stiffened. He turned to see Grace. He didn't know how long she'd been there, but a wave of fear washed over him.

“When… when did she get here? How much did she hear?!”

He’d never felt this fear before. Facing Grace, he felt like he grasped something, yet couldn't hold on.

“I said, Jason…” Patrick’s voice came from the phone. Jason quickly ended the call.

Silence stretched between them. He only put out his cigarette when it burned his fingers.

“Are you… Jason?” Grace asked. There was no anger, no tears, no complaints, only calmness. When she’d opened the glass door and heard him call her a game, a way to kill time, her chaotic heart had calmed. That was the answer. Otherwise, why would someone like Jason stay with her in a rental apartment for two months as “Jay”?