Janet was in the middle of a pleasant lunch with her colleagues.
“Lind, your phone’s been ringing for a while now. Someone is probably trying to reach you.” Gerda spoke through a mouthful of
beef noodles. She was exceptionally observant by nature, so she was able to hear Janet’s phone even with all the chatter
around them.
It was a good thing, too, since Janet herself hadn’t been paying attention to the device. She picked it up now, and hurriedly
opened her screen to a message from Bernie. He was asking her out, saying that he wanted to apologize to her in person. Janet
paused, hesitating.
Bernie had never treated her badly. If anything, he had always tried to do the best for her. He used to speak up for Janet
whenever Jocelyn would bully her. He certainly wasn’t as vicious as Fiona or Jocelyn.
Moreover, Bernie had a gentle, easy going demeanor. It wasn’t even much of a surprise that he had reached out to her after they
had fallen out.
After a moment’s consideration, Janet typed a reply. She agreed to meet with Bernie at a cafe of his choosing.She headed
straight over once office hours were over.
Janet sat there for a good while, but Bernie seemed to be running late. It was already well past the appointed time.She ordered a
cup of coffee just as the sun was starting to set outside.She finally decided to give Bernie a call, but it went unanswered... Janet
told herself to wait for ten more minutes, and if he still didn’t show up, she would just leave. It was the rush hour, so Bernie could
have gotten stuck in traffic.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the waiter, who set her coffee on the table. The intoxicating aroma was irresistible.
Janet was just about to take a sip when someone stopped her.
It was Kent.
She had no idea when he had come, but he just slid into the chair across her table as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
“I strongly advise you not to drink that,” Kent warned before grabbing the cup from her hands. He put it back down on the table
with a loud clink.
“What do you mean?” Janet asked, frowning.
“What kind of trick are you playing this time?” Her temples began to throb. She always had a headache every time she came
across this man. She had really thought she wouldn’t have to deal with Kent again, what with the collaboration between their
companies being over and all.
To be precise, she wasn’t expecting this playboy’s interest in her to last this long. Janet made to get up, intending to leave the
cafe altogether. But Kent stopped her again. He braced his hands on either side of her, trapping her in. His large frame loomed
over her dangerously.
The overpowering scent of his cologne washed over Janet. It was nothing like Ethan used, neither cool nor refreshing.
“What do you think you’re doing? Back off, or I’ll scream!” Janet raised her chin defiantly and tried to stand up again, only to sit
back for fear of touching Kent. He could tell she was only pretending to be brave. He saw the panic in her eyes. Kent chuckled
softly.
“I was just worried about you, you know. The waiter who served you just now is a wanted rapist with an impressive criminal
record. Oh, did you want him to have his way with you, by any chance? If so, then please, be my guest.”