Arianne thought she was running as swiftly as the wind, but she unexpectedly got caught by Mark before she even ran out of the lobby on the ground floor. “Oh, seems like you’re getting bolder if you’re now stepping on my foot. Great. I’ll make sure to teach you a lesson later.”She surrendered and allowed herself to be dragged back to the car dejectedly. Brian noticed both of them panting as though they just finished exercising and couldn’t hold himself back from commenting. “What’s going on here? Did you two just finish running a hundred meter sprint?”Mark seemed to be in a great mood and replied to his question. “Something like that, except it was over before we even ran a hundred meters. Let’s go to White Water Bay Café.”White Water Bay Café...Arianne recalled her last visit with Mark to that café, but of course, it couldn’t be considered a wonderful memory. She couldn’t understand her current state of mind. Rather than saying that they had changed their way of getting along,
Mark turned his head back and looked at her with complex emotions running through his eyes. “What if I told you that the past didn’t matter? I’m not really…” Before he could finish his sentence, he got interrupted by Aery and her family. Not only was her mother here today, but even her father, Jean Kinsey, was here.“Mark dear, what a coincidence! I didn’t expect to meet you here. It’s been a long while, how are you?” Aery pretended as if nothing had happened and spoke to Mark in her usual cutesy voice.Mark was rather unhappy to be interrupted, so naturally, his feelings were reflected on his face. “Yeah,” he replied curtly.Aery knew how to observe the situation, so she stepped aside and stopped talking but continued giving dirty looks to Arianne. Jean and Helen both acted friendly around Mark. Speaking of schemes, those two were probably on another level. They even directly addressed him as ‘Mark’ instead of ‘Mr. Tremont’ like everyone else. “The weather is nice today, Mark. It’s
Mark stopped and turned to look at her. “What is it?”Aery didn’t know how to make him stay. She grabbed the hem of her clothes tightly out of nervousness. “I… I have something to tell you...”Mark looked at her calmly. “If you have something to say, then just say it here. I need to accompany Ari back. I don’t have all day.”Arianne narrowed her beautiful eyes as she looked at Aery coldly. She trusted that Mark would keep his words, so Aery wouldn’t be able to make him stay.“Not really convenient, can we talk over there? Just give me five minutes…” Aery still tried to fight for it.When Helen saw this, she didn’t go up and stop her. However, she gazed at Arianne with conflicted feelings. Although she was the one who had given birth to her, Helen couldn’t see through her as usual...Mark continued to decline. “If there’s nothing important, then we’ll be going now.”Aery started to panic. “No, there is! But it isn’t convenient to say it in front of others. Believe me for once, Ma
Helen was speechless upon being censured. Aery and Mark also got done with their conversation. The latter walked over with a long face and tugged Arianne to leave. Returning to the car, he said coldly, “Go back to the Tremont Estate.”Brian did not understand how the current atmosphere became like this when they were so friendly while coming to the restaurant. He hummed an acknowledgement and didn't dare say more.Arianne didn’t feel guilty so she asked directly, “What did Aery tell you? You look so gloomy as if it’s going to rain.”Mark did not answer her question but slightly lowered his head as if he was musing. After some time, he spoke, “That day of the accident when you miscarried, what were you doing with Will in the car?”Reluctant to recall the incident, Arianne was a little heavyhearted. “He wasn’t in a good mood that day because you acquired his company, so he called me out for a chat. Of course, he didn’t tell me that. We were just chatting. After that, he sent me back to t
Arianne’s voice quivered as she spoke, but speaking to this point, there was no turning back. She had to win this time, she would not give in first!“Mm… not bad…” Mark was not being humble but he pondered. Something did not seem right…Arianne swallowed. “Uh… isn’t Nina leaving one of these days? When is she leaving? Let’s treat her to a meal. She’s a girl, ask someone to help her with the moving.”Successfully having his attention diverted, Mark replied, “I know. I’ll go to Jackson and Eric later. I won’t be home for dinner. Rest earlier after your meal.”When the car arrived at the Tremont Estate’s gate, Arianne got off the vehicle shakily, feeling her legs wobbling. Mark did not go in, having Brian drive to Jackson’s at the White Waters Bay. He suddenly asked, “Brian, was she picking a fight with me just now?”Brian swallowed. “I guess… I guess so… Actually, I agree with her that you’re at fault. It’s not an issue for her to throw a tantrum…”Mark wore a meaningful smile. “It’s not
Eric shook his head. “Don’t know. You can tell this to someone else and bluff them, but lying to your bros? Do we not know who you are? Other than being a womanizer, you don’t have any weakness. Women around you are either your relatives or your lovers.”Jackson smiled without saying anything back. When he heard glass shatter in the kitchen, he jolted. “You guys talk, I’ll go check it out.”When Jackson left, Eric whispered to Mark, “Do we want to let sis-in-law know? This is her best friend. What do you think?”Mark kept quiet, showing his disinterest in the matter. Not willing to give up, Eric fished out an exquisite box of cigarettes and passed it over. “Want one?”Looking at the cigarette offered to him, Mark hesitated for a second before rejecting Eric decisively. “I don’t smoke.”Eric teased him. “Oh ho ho, have you really quit? Yeah right, as if I believe that. Arianne isn’t here, so no need to pretend.”Perhaps it was for the weak ego of a man, for Mark took a cigarette and lit
Eric almost doubted himself after Tiffany’s spiel. “You… Fine! That’s all I have to say. Do whatever you want. I’m only giving you a reminder. You can’t sport with certain people, neither can you afford to as well. This is to prevent things from getting awkward when we meet Arianne in the future. Jackson’s never one to force others. If you’re reluctant to, nothing will happen between you both. Done and dusted, think about it yourself.” Tiffany rolled her eyes at him. “Okay, okay. Thank you for your reminder. Now go away, don’t block my source of light!”…Forty minutes later, Brian dropped Arianne off at the White Waters Bay. The door to Jackson’s house was left ajar, but she still knocked first.When Tiffany heard it, she sprinted to pull the door open like a gust of wind. “Ari!”Arianne was surprised. “Tiffie, why are you here?”Pulling the girl inside, Tiffany explained briefly, “Found a part-time job. I’m working by the hour here. Some cleaning and whatnot…”Arianne felt her heart
Truthfully, not many women could resist a man like Jackson. Even when you knew that he was a playboy, you would still think that he was elegant and charming. The unintentional details would always reflect his gentlemanly manner and his considerate character. More crucially, he had the assets to be a playboy. He was rich and handsome. Even devil-may-care Tiffany felt butterflies in her stomach for a while.…It was past ten at night when Mark and Arianne left Jackson’s villa. Everyone had some wine during the dinner, including Arianne, but she did not have too much. She could feel her cheeks heating up but she was still clear-minded.Brian had been waiting outside for a long time. When they got into the car, Arianne looked at the villa that turned scintillating in the nightfall and suddenly asked, “Is Jackson married?”Mark paused for a beat before answering, “No, but soon. He knows what he’s doing, you don’t have to worry.”Mark was Mark, he knew what she was thinking with just one que