POV JEANNE…"W-What?! Libby Murray?"I was shocked beyond words when I heard the woman's name called. I'm not wrong, she was the woman I had problems with at the Morgan family banquet.How could this imitation creature even have a relationship with Ezra?! — I said to myself in frustration."Huh? What's going on?" Ezra asked, "You know her?"I was confused about how to respond to Ezra's question. "Y-Yeah it's kind of like that," I said."Oh, that's good. Maybe you'll be able to chat a lot with us later," he said.Hearing Ezra's words, I just smiled awkwardly in response. "Y-Yeah, sure," I said, "I'll have a lot to chat with her."Of course, if that woman started problems with me first — I continued my words to myself."Ahem!" I then cleared my throat softly to lighten the mood, "By the way, how do you get to know that woman — I-I mean Libby Murray. This made me a little curious, I thought you were more preferred with men than women."For a moment, Ezra's expression seemed to change in
POV JEANNE …"This is quite boring," I muttered with a sigh.Currently I'm sitting on one of the benches where there's only me there. I looked at the people in the room one by one and none of them I knew — or perhaps more precisely I had forgotten their faces."I should have at least invited Jonah to accompany me instead of telling him to wait outside," I said again.Occasionally looking outside, there were three women and four men sitting quietly and watching every guest who entered.Actually, I told them all to wait outside because I didn't want something like that to happen again — when Jonah questioned Ezra as if he was interrogating him. He even did that to Libby too."I'm quite lucky because that woman didn't get crazy earlier," I muttered and then took a sip of my drink while looking at the people who were starting to arrive.I felt quite calm because the wine I drank did not contain alcohol. At first Ezra wanted to give me a bottle of alcoholic red wine, but I refused and he
POV JEANNE…"Bastard ..."Logan cursed and then he turned around. I could see Libby's mocking smile."You damn bitch! What are you doing?!" said Logan, "Did your parents never teach you manners, huh?!"I saw Libby laugh. “Sir, I think I told you that I accidentally spilled my drink on your head…”I saw, Libby bent down slightly to bring her head closer to Logan's ear."Just blame yourself for being too short for an American man," said Libby.Libby's voice was a whisper, but I could still hear it. We also briefly met eyes before he finally looked away."You ..." Logan could be heard growling, "Tch! A bitch like you sure doesn't know what you dealing with —""No and I don't fucking care," said Libby in a low, relaxed voice with a mocking look on her face, "Do you think I'm your mom who always pays attention to you? You also don't know who I am, right?""How dare a bitch like you ...!"I can see Libby's smile looks wider and Logan's face looks intimidating."Tch, fine! Just you wait!"L
POV JEANNE…The way to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel wasn't that far, so we arrived there at exactly 9 pm.When we arrived at the main entrance of the hotel lobby, Jonah and a male bodyguard came down with me while the female bodyguard drove the car to the hotel basement to park with another car filled with four other bodyguards."Give me 4 best rooms with breakfast for 8 people," I said in front of the reception desk while handing over my black card."O-Okay, we'll process it." The receptionist in front of me looked a little surprised, but then she looked busy with the phone at her desk."M-Ma'am, it doesn't need to be ordered for us," suddenly Jonah's voice was heard, "After all, we'll just be on guard in front of your room, ma’am."From the look on his face, Jonah looked worried and afraid. Then I turned to look at the face of another guard standing behind Jonah. He also seemed to be avoiding my gaze and just looked down.""Did you tell Leo about me staying here?" I asked and neithe
POV LEO …"I can't believe what I just read..."Currently I'm in one of the rooms of our family's private villa in San Pedro Sula with several books and documents on the table in front of me.I held the document tightly in my hand with disbelieving eyes looking at Owen who was sitting in front of me with a cigar in my hand. I tried to strengthen myself with what I had just read."Have you confirmed all this is true?" I asked again.Owen looked relaxed as he smoked his cigar in front of me and exhaled a puff of smoke. However, I knew that behind that relaxed face, Owen was very serious. It was very rare for him to keep a straight face like that, unless there was a really serious problem."Hahh... that's also what you should investigate," he said as he let out a puff of smoke from his mouth and nostrils, "I came here for political business. But your subordinates who couldn't contact you instead contacted me...""...so I decided to help you a little, but instead I discovered a surprisin
POV JEANNE…"I thought you were doing volunteer work in Palestine," I said as I looked at the man in front of me who was pouring red wine into my glass. I saw him chuckle. "Did you miss me?" he asked in a joking tone. "Are you crazy?" I joked with a chuckle, "I was just wondering how you could be in the same building as me, it's such a strange coincidence. It's more like you're stalking me." I don't know if it's just me or what, but I caught a glimpse of tension on Samuel's face. I thought maybe he felt uncomfortable because my words seemed to be accusing him, even though I was just joking. "Hey, I'm just joking," I said with an amused chuckle, "Why is your face so tense? Don't you usually like to joke around like that?"After I said that, Samuel's face relaxed and he laughed too. "Hahaha... I'm playing a trick on you too, you know? It's nice to see you worrying about me," he said in a mocking tone. I couldn't help but chuckle. "No, I'm not. I'm not worrying about you at all,"
POV JEANNE … "Can I borrow the phone? I want to order a taxi." With a forced smile, I spoke to the receptionist in front of me. "O-Of course, ma'am," he stammered, "B-Let me order it." The receptionist's face looked frightened and I just smiled at her. I saw that the receptionist seemed to be on the phone with someone, and didn't hang up for long. "The taxi will be here in 15 minutes," she said, "You can wait for it on the sofa." She then pointed to the sofa in the hotel lobby. I quickly walked over there and sat down on one of the couches. I unconsciously cried, thinking about what happened earlier. Leo's slap on my cheek was still there and I don't know why my chest felt hurt when he slapped me."Even though this relationship is only limited to a contract. Why did he go that far to me?" I muttered.Could it be that he actually loves me and he is worried about me? — I thought. It's also my fault for meeting Samuel early in the morning even though it was by accident. I thought
POV LEO…"Argh...! Damn...!" THUD!CRASH! I couldn't contain my anger anymore and ruined everything I saw. Every corner of the hotel room I was in was a mess. I didn't care if I had to pay compensation, because that wasn't what I was currently thinking about. Right now all my emotions seem to be controlling me. I ruffled my hair in frustration and rubbed my face roughly. Why won't that woman understand that I'm worried about her?! — I said to myself in depression. "M-Master..." Jonah's voice suddenly came from the doorway. I turned around and found him looking at me fearfully. I didn't answer and just looked at him sharply which made Jonah look down. I know my current condition makes anyone who sees it feel scared, but right now I'm really not in a good condition to talk to anyone."W-We've looked everywhere for Madame Jeanne, but we haven't found her at all," Jonah said, "But we promise —" "There's no need to look for her," I interrupt Jonah as I clench my bloodied hand from
POV JEANNE … "What?!" I got up from my position. I stood behind Samuel's body and then released my grip on Samuel's arm. "We met long before you knew my brother, you say?" I asked in astonishment. For a moment, our eyes met as Samuel glanced at me. However, not long after, he took his eyes off me again. "Forget it." "..." "No matter how well I explain it to you, it won't change anything," he said. She then released my grip on her arm and walked out of the room. CREAK! SLAM! I, on the other hand, was still rooted to my spot and staring at her disappearing figure from behind the door of the room. Not even the banging sound of the door closing made me flinch. I then threw myself back onto the bed behind me, sitting down while staring at the door. With a bitter smile, I muttered, "What the hell did he say?" I paused, trying to digest what Samuel had just told me. At least I tried to dig up my memories of Samuel back then. However, I couldn't find anythin
POV JEANNE…SLAP!I slapped Samuel as soon as I regained my consciousness. Staring at him without a word coming out of my mouth. He looked surprised and seemed to freeze for a while. Until he finally looked at me with a soft gaze full of regret. "I'm sorry...""...""I couldn't hold myself and —""I-It's late," I interrupted him and immediately turned my back to him. I bit my lower lip, trying to hold back all the emotion inside me. "Jeanne, I —""Go back to your room," I said, "I'll open the door for you from this room." Then I walked in and went to the door that connected this room with the second floor corridor. CLICK!After the lock opened, I immediately opened the door to my room.I then turned around and looked at the balcony door. Samuel was still standing there, looking at me before he finally lowered his face. Shortly after, he walked towards me."I'm sorry."Those were the last words I heard from him, before he walked out of my room. SLAM!Immediately afterward, I sl
POV JEANNE…"Good night, dear...""...""...and have a good rest."After chatting for a while with Aunt Lydia a.k.a Samuel's mother in the TV room while enjoying a cup of warm tea, our conversation finally ended at midnight. Aunt Lydia then escorted me to one of the rooms on the second floor. It was the same room I remembered from my first stay at Dawn's family home. "Thank you, aunt Lydia and good night to you too," I replied. CREAKShe didn't answer me and just gave me a smile as she closed the door. However, only halfway through closing the door, I saw her suddenly stop. "Ah, I almost forgot to say this," she said as she opened the door completely again. "Yes? Do you need anything?" I asked back. I saw that afterward, Aunt Lydia was smiling and seemed to be teasing me. "By the way, Samuel's room is next to yours," she said in a teasing tone. I knew where this was going, but I chose to pretend I didn't know. Smiling awkwardly, I replied, "I see." "Well, just in case you
"Divorce isn't always a bad thing anyway." "..." "Sometimes, it's even a good thing to get away from a toxic relationship," she said, smiling at me, "So at least be happy. Maybe it's God's way of saving you from the harm that will come to you if you stay with him." Hearing those words, I fell silent and immediately thought about my relationship with Samuel. If I think about it, our relationship is too toxic to maintain. Even though Leo said he loved me and I was already in love with him, the way he expressed his love sometimes made me feel uncomfortable. "You're right, auntie," I said later, "Thank you for giving me a new perspective." Lydia then replied me with her warm smile. "Of course, dear," she said and then glanced at Samuel with a meaningful smile. "..." "Moreover, you can count on Samuel from now on," she said in a teasing tone, "He will glad to help you." I see where this is going - I said to myself. Instead of rejecting him outright, I just smiled
POV JEANNE … "How was the food, Jeanne?" "It's delicious," I said as I smiled at the woman in front of me, "You've always been a talented cook, auntie." I was currently enjoying dinner at Dawn's family home. I occasionally glanced at Samuel who seemed to be enjoying the leftovers on his plate quietly. "Ah, you praise me too much~" Lydia — Samuel's mother — said with an embarrassed smile. "Hm, it just common taste," Samuel said suddenly, "Besides it, I think you put too much —" Samuel stopped what he was saying and smiled awkwardly. I followed the direction of Samuel's gaze to his mother, who was already glaring. "N-No, it's not," Samuel said then and stammered a little, "I was just joking. Mom's cooking is the best, hahaha." Then Lydia's sharp gaze softened as a smile spread across her face. "Thank you~" she said. "Hm, but it would be better if you didn't cook anymore," Samuel said again, not long after that. "Samuel!" Lydia said half shouting. I was jus
POV JEANNE … "Is it really okay?" I asked. I was currently in Samuel's car and we were heading to Dawn's family residence. After rejecting Samuel's propose, I decided to go home. But Samuel suddenly invited me to have dinner with his family. And I don't know what came over me, but I said yes. "After all, this is your quality time with your parents," I said again. I looked doubtful at Samuel who was sitting in the driving seat, right next to me. He then glanced back at me. "Calm down," he said, chuckling softly, "Don't you already know my parents?" I lowered my gaze and then said again, "Yes, but it's been a long time since I've seen them." "..." "Isn't this supposed to be your time with them anyway?" I said again, "You once said that you often don't have time to spend with them, even to enjoy dinner together." A second later, Samuel chuckled softly. "Oh come on Jeanne, I'm sure they'll be happy to see you," he said casually. "..." "They already think of you
POV JEANNE…"So that's the problem...""...""I think he's gone too far," Samuel said, "And it's best that you separate from a temperamental person like him." "...""You'll only put yourself in a toxic relationship if you continue to stay with him," Samuel said again, "Moreover, your marriage is only a contract. What's with a guy like that? Only dare to give the woman he loves with a contract marriage. Tch! He's a loser."I smiled weakly when I heard Samuel's words. What he said was true, nothing good would come from maintaining a relationship with a temperamental person. However, on the other hand, I still love Leo. And even though I said earlier that I didn't want this child I was carrying, I still had the conscience not to throw it away. "I also think it's fine to be the father of the child you're carrying. Of course, if you don't mind," he said again. My eyes widened when I heard the sentence that came out of Samuel's mouth. However, instead of answering him, I smiled bitterl
POV JEANNE… "Leo, what did you do?!" I said in a high tone to Leo just after he poured the drink on Noah's face. But he seemed to ignore my words. The next second, Leo seemed to grab Noah by the collar and then he punched Noah's stomach and face.WHACK! WHACK!"You bastard! How dare you approach my wife when I'm not around," Leo said as he kicked Noah several times in the stomach. I, who saw this, immediately approached Leo and tried to stop him. "Stop it! Leo! Enough is enough!" I said.I tried to bring Leo a little away from Noah who was crying in pain on the floor while holding his stomach."Ugh! Cough! L-Leo, listen to my explanation, this is all just ... a misunderstanding — Cough!" Noah said, stammering in the middle of his groaning and coughing."Misunderstanding? You said that after I caught you approaching my wife, hm?!" replied Leo and then I heard him laugh sarcastically, "Don't you remember what you did back then, huh?!" "Leo, don't! Stop it! This is all just —""Sh
POV JEANNE…"Yes, do it that way..."CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!"Give a more natural smile — Yes! Good!" Amidst the hustle and bustle of the people around me, my gaze focused on the figure of Noah who was still in the middle of a photo shoot and recording session for an advertisement. "It was only a month ago that he did a 'face reveal' as Noisjy, and now he has a lot of advertising jobs," I said as I smiled at him.After I left Marea Restaurant yesterday, Noah immediately contacted me. We had originally promised to meet in person at Ocean Prime Restaurant, but Noah suddenly informed me that afternoon that he might be a little late because he had another job to do. I finally decided to go to his studio, which also happened to be not far from Ocean Prime. I then turned my gaze around and found the studio crews looking at me hatefully. It seems that apart from being a crew, they are also fans — I thought.With a smile of astonishment, I then said, "And there are also many troublesome fans