Semua Bab Easy, Mr. Bigshot: Bab 161 - Bab 170

"Since you so dearly wish to hide our relationship from others, I'll grant your wish.”Jethro's voice was as icy as a winter’s night. Without a backward glance, he stormed out of the door. As he disappeared, I was bewildered. Had I said something wrong? What was the reason for such fury? Was it about the text?The thought of Jethro's earlier message brought a twinge of guilt.Brushing aside these thoughts, I returned to making dinner, but Jethro didn’t return. I waited at the dining table, but hours ticked by with no sign of him.Dinner with Jethro had become a habit, and his absence tonight felt particularly disconcerting.After a few bites, I washed up and went to bed. I reminded myself not to place too much importance on Jethro. I had to learn detachment and not to develop feelings for him. In our dynamic, whoever falls in love first loses.Jethro didn't return that night, and I found myself worried about his whereabouts. Still, I resisted the urge to call him. For the next fe

As a daughter, I expected my mother's concern when I fell ill, yet her departure left me questioning her affection for me.Alone in the hospital room, I faced the stark reality of my solitude. As I stared out the window, tears streamed down my face. Despite my usual resilience, deep down, I craved genuine care and companionship.The ring of my phone, tucked beneath my pillow, broke the silence. Brushing away tears, I answered, welcoming the distraction."Hello?" My voice came out raspy."Ms. Serena, you sound a little off. Have you been crying?" Mason asked in concern, surprising me."Not really," I lied, masking my emotional fragility.I hadn’t expected Mason to be so attentive. He detected something amiss in my voice from just one word."Come on, I can tell. A woman's voice speaks volumes," he said, his usual frivolity tinged with empathy."It's nothing, really. Just a sore throat."My throat was indeed uncomfortable from the crying. I felt weak as if I had just awoken from

As Mason walked away, Mom’s brows knitted in a frown and her eyes brimmed with dissatisfaction. "Is that the type of friends you choose? What kind of person is he?" she questioned."Mom, please, don't speak of him that way. He was by my side in the hospital all afternoon."A twinge of discontent stirred in me at Mom’s unfair judgment of Mason. After all, he had taken care of me the whole day, while my own mother hadn't shown a hint of concern. It’d be dishonest to claim this didn't sting.I wasn’t a saint. How could I feel nothing when my own mother showed no care for me?Upon learning of Mason's attentive care, Mom’s expression darkened. She asked gravely, "He took care of you all afternoon? What's your relationship with him? Are you two together?”"No, we're just friends. You're reading too much into it. He's much younger than me. How could he be my boyfriend?" I answered truthfully, though I didn't understand why she was suddenly concerned about this."You're not getting young

Jethro looked at me speechlessly before pulling out some bills and paying the vendor. I had planned on treating him, but now he was footing the bill.I felt a tad awkward. "I'll treat you for sure next time!" I said, a flush of embarrassment on my cheeks.I then led Jethro to a nearby table. He eyed the chair warily, clearly out of his comfort zone. His preference for cleanliness was being seriously challenged in this setting."Sit. It's clean enough," I insisted, gently tugging at his hand.Jethro had been frowning since we got to the food trucks. Sitting down at my insistence, he seemed far from pleased. I devoured the skewered meats eagerly, while Jethro watched on with a look of disgust.I paused my enthusiastic eating and offered him some. "Try them. They're really good.""I'll pass. I don’t want to be poisoned to death," he said, eyeing the skewers but refusing to take one.Sometimes, I wished he’d just say something nice. There were so many people eating here, and nobody

After my final IV treatment, I was all set to leave the hospital. However, Mason lingered in my room, showing no inclination to leave."Um, I'm about to be discharged. Maybe you should head out now."While I appreciated Mason's company, it made me somewhat uneasy to have a man care for me like this as it implied a closeness between us."Let me drive you home. You've just recovered and shouldn’t be straining yourself," Mason offered calmly."No, it's not necessary. I can take the subway. It's convenient, and you've already done so much," I swiftly declined.I was staying at Jethro's place and couldn’t risk Mason finding out. Jethro’s reputation in Arrowdale was widespread, and any revelation could cause trouble.Mason’s face clouded with confusion and disappointment. "You’re refusing me again. Are you that afraid of me knowing where you live?""It’s not like that. I just think it’s too much trouble for you. I appreciate your care over these past few days, but I feel like we shoul