I Am a Scorpio(2)

8

The next day at work, the news of Joel's resignation was suddenly announced in the company group chat.

The colleagues typed in the group chat: [We wish you to have a bright future.]

I was surprised. I messaged Joel in private: [Why did you suddenly resign?]

Joel probably was busy with the resignation procedures and did not reply to me until more than ten minutes later.

He texted: [Let's return home together tonight. I'll tell you on the way home.]

After work at night, I followed Joel to the parking lot and took his car home.

He was very focused on driving, and his side profile was good-looking, especially his nose, which was tall and exquisite.

When we drove out of the parking lot, I seemed to see Mark downstairs of the company.

Before I could confirm that it was Mark, the car had driven far away.

"What's wrong?" Joel asked.

I withdrew my gaze and smiled at him, "I think I saw someone."

Just as I was about to ask Joel why he resigned, my phone suddenly rang.

It was from Xenia.

I hesitated for a while before I answered the phone.

Xenia's tone on the other end of the phone was very bad. She asked me anxiously, "Angeline, are you with Mark?"

"No." I was instantly in a bad mood. I really regretted that I only blocked her on WhatsApp and forgot to block her number.

"Who are you lying to? The location on my phone shows that he is downstairs at your company. Do you have to do this? You asked for the breakup. Now that he's with me, why are you pestering him again? Why are you so revengeful?" Xenia yelled at me.

I was angry and amused. "Both of you are shameless and are born to be a couple. I really wish you two could live together forever. Why should I take revenge on you? Didn't you see that I didn't want to talk to both of you at all? Save some money and do a checkup for your brain."

After saying that, I hung up the phone and blacklisted the number.

This was the harshest word I had ever said to Xenia since I broke up with Mark. No, it was since I knew Xenia.

In the past, I always thought that Xenia was used to being careless and had a low EQ. I would tolerate her and I could remind her gently. But now, I could not tolerate her anymore. I felt that I was a fool.

Joel laughed beside me.

I looked at him in confusion. "Is it funny?"

"You're cute." His ears turned red, and his tone suddenly became serious.

I pursed my lips. I could not adapt to the praise from a man, and my cheeks gradually became hot. I quickly changed the topic. "Why did you suddenly resign? Didn't the leader of your department appreciate you very much?"

"A recruiter has been contacting me for a long time. I thought it was an opportunity and accepted it." Joel explained as we arrived at a traffic light intersection. Joel stopped the car and turned to look at me with a gentle smile.

The sunset projected from the window and dyed his fluffy and soft hair with amber color.

"I see."

"Yes. You don't have to deliberately avoid suspicions in the future. The new company is also on the way. You can take my car to and back from work."

I scratched my head in embarrassment.

When we first became neighbors, Joel proposed to go and back from work together, but I was afraid that my colleagues would misunderstand us. I did not accept and kept a distance from him on purpose.

9

After getting out of the car, I wanted to go to the supermarket in front of the residential area to buy some daily necessities.

Joel said he also wanted to go. He was going to buy some fresh ingredients for the stew later.

In the supermarket, Joel pushed the shopping cart. He chose the ingredients in the seafood section carefully. As I followed him behind, I was in a trance for a moment while fixing my eyes on his back.

When I was with Mark, scenes like that wouldn't happen in our daily interaction. I was the one who would have to take care of our daily meals as well as the household. I would also need to take note of the recent promotion to stockpile the goods at home.

Mark would usually follow me behind absent-mindedly. I could tell that he didn't enjoy grocery shopping with me as if it was a tedious task.

Joel suddenly stopped in his tracks. I didn't pay much attention and bumped into him accidentally.

The next second, I smelled a fresh scent. Joel's body stiffened, and he hurriedly stepped back. "Sorry, I didn't notice that."

Turning around, he blushed. "Angeline, there's no fresh beef here. I'll go to the market later."

I glanced at the empty refrigerator and said, "No need for the trouble. We can skip the beef this time."

"Don't worry. You seem to only like beef. I'll go and take a look at the market. It's only a few steps away."

He continued pushing the shopping cart forward.

I felt a hint of warmth swelling in my heart. I hadn't experienced the feeling of being taken care of by someone for a long time.

That day, however, we didn't manage to have the stew together as planned.

We coincidentally bumped into Mark and his mother around the residential area after we left the supermarket.

Seeing the bags of groceries in Joel's hand, Mark turned furious and yelled, "How shameless are you? Are you living with him already?"

Eva stared at me sadly and voiced. "Angel, you should learn to have self-respect for yourself."

At that time, I was interpreting their words inwardly.

A wave of anger instantly swept over me as I realized that they were trying to offend me. I was a Scorpio, nonetheless.

I forced a smile and responded, "Ms. Yeagar, did you mention self-respect? Why don't you ask your son first? Why didn't you teach Mark to respect himself instead? I broke up with Mark and met a nicer guy that treats me right. Shouldn't I cherish him?"

Joel approached me quietly and stood in front of me protectively.

Then, I smiled in retaliation, "Mark, I didn't realize how incapable you are as a man until I left you! You're weak in everything!"

"Angeline, how could you act so mannerless?" Eva yelled while staring at me.

Deep down, I found it incredible how Eva mentioned manners to me.

My parents taught me to be modest, courteous, and kind. Nevertheless, they also taught me that goodness must have some edge to it, or else it is none.

There was no way that I would blindly endure their disrespect toward me.

Joel reached out to grab me. "It's not worth wasting your time on these people. Let's go home. I'll cook you something to eat."

Hearing that, I calmed down a little. I leaned on his arm affectionately and uttered, "Okay."

Mark stood in front of me and said through gritted teeth, "My mother lowered her pride by calling your mother to ask for your address. I just wanted to have a talk with you."

He paused for a while and suddenly turned soft, "Could you ask him to go back first? Let's find a restaurant nearby and talk over a meal."

"No," I said firmly.

Meanwhile, Mark did not budge, blocking me from leaving. Pushing him away, Joel held my hands and brought me to leave. As we passed by the security guards, Joel purposely asked the guards to stop them from entering.

10

I was still startled by what had just happened that day. Frankly, I had never been humiliated in public before.

I would never expect myself to be humiliated by someone I cared dearly.

"Thank you. I think I'm going to skip the meal and go home instead. I need some time for myself." I beamed at Joel. I was holding back my tears as we reach the floor.

He merely looked at me with concern and then nodded.

As I entered the door, I collapsed on the couch. All I felt was weakness all over my body. The heaviness deep in my heart was unbearable.

After crying for a long time, there was a knock on the door.

I ignored it.

After a while, my phone vibrated.

It was a message from Joel.

[I bought you coffee with less sugar. I also made stew meat for you. I cooked a big portion of beef for you. I'll leave them outside your door. Remember to collect and enjoy them.]

Tears ran down my cheeks almost immediately.

A few seconds later, he sent another message.

[I boiled the ingredients with stew gravy. It should be considered stew meat, right?]

I wouldn't be able to distinguish that either.

For no reason, his sudden question made me feel better.

At night, I was face-timing my mother while enjoying my coffee.

"Eva wanted to bring Mark to apologize to you. That's why I gave her your address," she explained over the phone.

After spilling everything to my mother, she concluded, "It's clear that Eva wants you to get back to Mark. You're the only daughter. Your father and I have once mentioned in front of her that we would spend a huge amount of dowry for your wedding in the future."

The next morning, Joel was waiting for me to go to work together at the door. He frowned when he saw my swollen eyes. "Do you want to take a leave today instead?"

I shook my head. "No, I can't affect my work because of that jerk."

Joel drove to the entrance of the residential area and went down to buy breakfast. While sitting in the passenger seat, I glanced around and spotted Mark nearby.

Mark was squatting opposite our residential area, and there were cigarette butts on the ground. He looked like a mess with his disheveled hair.

I remembered that he had quit smoking a long time ago.

Nevertheless, I recalled that Xenia had a habit of smoking as well. I then assumed that Mark smoked again because of her.

Mark had bronchitis and should not be smoking for the sake of his health. Knowing that information, I found him not worthy of my sympathy at all.

I withdrew my gaze and shut my eyes for a rest.

After what had happened yesterday, I was more determined to stay away from him and his family. I should be thankful that our relationship didn't work out, and I was beyond grateful for not marrying him.

Joel came back and handed me the breakfast. He glanced at Mark and was about to say something.

Obviously, he saw Mark too.

I thought he would advise me not to be so heartless and talk to Mark. Unexpectedly, he said, "Wait for me to pick you up after work. I'm worried about your safety."

"Okay," I replied seriously.