Chapter 2

Jennie's POV

While I waited for water to heat up in the shower, Haley posted another update.

"Trying out the viral smoothie place. My best buddy waited in line for an hour to get it for me, but the taste is average. I took a sip and packed up the rest for a certain someone."

That "certain someone" was obviously Eugene, who gave the camera a faint smile.

I never knew that Eugene, my boyfriend with such a severe germaphobia that he refused to share a glass with me, would drink from another woman's drink.

I sighed softly, tapped on the like button on the post, and called my boss, Christophe Miller.

"I've changed my mind, Mr. Miller. Is that project still available for me?"

He sounded surprised, but mostly relieved. "You've finally come to your senses, haven't you?

"If you do well on this project, you'll get a double promotion after you come back, and it's just a year abroad. Trust me; a year is nothing if it's true love."

I smiled and didn't argue. In truth, my relationship was over the moment I decided to take on this job.

…

I took my time enjoying the hot shower. By the time I came out, Haley's post was deleted.

I was surprised. It seemed like she wasn't as unbothered as she pretended to be.

Suddenly, Eugene called. A bad feeling settled in my stomach, but I answered anyway.

"Who exactly are you trying to provoke?" he snapped. "You didn't pick up my calls, you didn't reply to my texts, and then you went crazy under Haley's post."

His words came fast and sharp, and his tone carried a protective defensiveness he had never shown toward me.

I suddenly felt exhausted. I had worked overtime for an entire month just to make time to visit him, and this was what I received in return.

"Whose boyfriend are you, Eugene?"

Eugene froze. The silence stretched for several seconds before he disappointedly said, "Do you really have to make such a big deal out of nothing?"

"Eugene, maybe… I should talk to her." Haley's hesitant voice came through from the other end of the line.

I glanced at the clock. It was 11:00 pm, which meant they had been together from 8:00 am until now.

"No need," Eugene said. "The more you indulge her, the more spoiled she gets."

"But she's my best friend, after all…"

They started whispering, their voices dropping so low I couldn't hear what they were saying before the call was abruptly hung up.

There was a routine comfort in their familiar interaction, and that was when it hit me—they might have crossed the boundaries much earlier than I had imagined.

…

After I caught up on some sleep, my frostbitten foot grew increasingly swollen. I found a cane, flagged a cab, and went straight to the hospital.

While the doctor cleaned and dressed the wound, I gritted my teeth to fight through the pain. Then, I took my prescription and headed home.

The moment I opened the door, I bumped into a pair of arms. A familiar, refreshing scent hit me, and as I stared blankly at Eugene, he gave me a pleasant smile.

"You wouldn't respond to me, so I had to come to you."

My eyes stung. Just as I opened my mouth to speak, he casually took my medicine away and asked, "What happened to you?"

"My foot is frostbitten."

"Oh," he muttered and carelessly tossed the medicine onto the desk. He didn't ask how it happened, nor did he ask how severe it was.

Suddenly, his phone rang, blaring that same rock music that gave me a headache.

I couldn't hear what Haley said, but Eugene suddenly laughed out loud and teased, "If you tell me to come over, how would I dare refuse?"

My heart sank heavily. The tiny spark of warmth I had felt just moments ago instantly vanished.

I limped toward the desk, dug out a few pills, and swallowed them with water.

After hanging up, Eugene walked over and wrapped his arms around me from behind. "Stop being mad, Jennie. My phone was on silent that day, and I felt terrible all night after you left."

I smirked. The grin on his face the next morning didn't look like someone who had spent the night suffering.

"Besides, Haley has visited a bunch of times already," he added. "I just wanted to get it over with quickly so I could focus on spending the rest of my time with you…"

I paused mid-sip.

He chuckled. "Are you jealous? Don't worry. She acts just like one of the guys, and I'd never be interested in her. We're just occasional travel buddies since you're always so busy."

Seemingly unwilling to dwell on the topic, he turned and said he was going to take a shower.

Before walking into the bathroom, he made sure to grab his phone.