Chapter 30: Goldenbirch Herbs

Jared, realizing Yasmin was teasing him, looked on helplessly, unsure how to respond.

“Yasmin, what’s a ‘kept man’? Do they even still exist?” he asked.

At that moment, a handsome man, six feet tall (1.8 meters), entered.

“Zeke, you’re finally here! Why are you always late?” Frida exclaimed in a high-pitched voice.

“A business meeting ran long,” Zeke replied, smiling as he glanced at Josephine. “My treat—order whatever you like.”

Frida introduced them: “This is my cousin, Josephine, and her boyfriend, Jared.”

“Hi, I’m Zeke Griffin, Yasmin’s boyfriend,” Zeke said, extending a hand to both.

Frida vacated her seat for Zeke to sit beside Yasmin. “What were you talking about—kept men?” he asked Yasmin.

“Just a casual remark,” Yasmin sighed. “My cousin, daughter of Horington’s richest man, has a boyfriend who’s…well, a loafer. She even buys his clothes. Isn’t that a kept man?”

Jared grimaced. Though well-intentioned regarding Josephine, Yasmin’s persistent teasing angered him.

Sensing this, Zeke said to Yasmin, “Not necessarily. Backgrounds don’t matter. Jared seems capable. Hard work brings success. We shouldn’t judge.” He nodded apologetically to Jared. “Don’t mind her; she’s always been blunt.”

“It’s alright,” Jared replied. “She was just looking out for Josephine.”

His anger subsided; he liked Zeke.

“Let’s order! My treat!” Zeke called a waiter and placed their order.

Soon, the table was laden with food. During their conversation, Jared found Zeke down-to-earth despite his prominent family: owners of the renowned Goldenbirch Herbs. Goldenbirch was among Yeringham’s top three herb traders (out of eighteen), a significant business in the city. Zeke didn’t act spoiled.

“Jared, are you visiting relatives in Yeringham, or sightseeing?” Zeke asked. “Since we might become relatives, we should get to know each other.”

“I’m here to buy herbs,” Jared admitted.

“Great! Let me know what you need. Goldenbirch has everything, guaranteed quality. Family discount! This is a very lucrative business, you know.” Zeke mistakenly assumed Jared planned to start a herb business.

“No, it’s for personal use. I need century-old ginseng roots and reishi mushrooms. A thousand-year-old would be amazing!” Jared said, smiling casually.

Zeke looked startled. Yasmin scoffed, “Are you crazy? Do you know how much those cost? Especially thousand-year-old ginseng? It's astronomically expensive!”

Jared remained silent; there was no need to explain.

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