Chapter 665
My heart raced as I reached out to grab my phone back from Jared, anger bubbling up inside me. But he just grinned mischievously and held it high above my head, his tall frame making it impossible for me to reach without jumping.
As I jumped, he suddenly pulled me into his arms, his voice low and teasing. โWhoโs this โFoxโ? Sounds pretty intimate.โ
โJared, quit messing around,โ I snapped, my frustration boiling over.
He finally handed the phone back to me, but not before glancing at the screen and chuckling. โThey hung up.โ
As soon as I got my phone back, I realized I was still in Jaredโs arms. I pushed him away angrily, my irritation spiking.
Jared stepped back a couple of paces, his handsome face darkened with sadness.
โVictoria, is that gentle side of you really gone?โ Jared asked, once again reminiscing about the past.
I froze for a second, still pissed off at him for messing with me. โThat attitude is just for you. I can be just as gentle with other people.โ
Just then, Yvonne stirred awake, rolling over groggily and mumbling, โWhy are you two still arguing in my dream?โ
Jared and I exchanged a quick glance, both of us falling silent immediately.
โGet out!โ I hissed, my voice low but firm.
Jared gave me a helpless look before turning and leaving, closing the door quietly behind him.
I clutched my phone, feeling a wave of anxiety wash over me. Edward had just messaged me earlier, asking if Jared and I were spending the night together. And now heโd called, only for Jared to pick up. There was no way to clear up this misunderstanding now.
I switched my phone to silent and set it down on the nightstand.
That night, maybe it was because I was finally over my cold, or maybe it was because Yvonne clung to my arm and wouldnโt let go, making me feel a strange sense of belonging. Whatever the reason, I actually managed to sleep straight through till morning.
Early the next morning, I heard Jaredโs voice outside, talking on the phone. I crept out quietly and saw him sitting on the couch in his robe, a laptop open beside him.
Jared was working harder than ever, like he was on a mission to rake in cash. With the memories from his previous life, he had a serious advantage when it came to investing and making money. Now, heโd turned into a total workaholic.
As he chatted on the phone, he shot me a look, those narrow dark eyes holding a teasing glint that was almost impossible to ignore. The old Jared wouldnโt have had a clue how to tease me like this. He was always so proper and distant, acting like he just knew Iโd never walk away from him. But now, he was shameless as ever, giving me those flirty winks like some wannabe Casanova.
I grabbed a bottle of water and took a sip. Jared finished his call and walked over. โIs Yvonne still asleep?โ
โNope,โ I said. Yvonne sleeps like a logโnothing short of an earthquake could wake her up.
Jared grabbed a bottle of ice water and leaned against the cabinet beside me, giving me a plaintive look. โYou still havenโt told me who this โFoxโ is.โ
I paused mid-sip and shot him a frosty glare. โMr. Holcomb, itโs really rude to snoop into someone elseโs private life.โ
Jared looked wounded, his expression genuinely stung. โVictoria, Iโm just worried youโll get played. Iโm a guyโI know exactly what guys are thinking.โ
I let out a small laugh. โMaybe you should save that lecture for your daughter someday. Iโm good, thanks.โ
With that, I turned and headed back to my room.
But Jared yanked me back, gripping my arm tightly. โIs it one of those guys you came here to study with?โ
I stared at him, genuinely shocked. โWhy would you even think that?โ
Jared shot me a look, a sarcastic glint in his eyes. โWord is, your groupโs full of high-flying execs from your country. When grown men and women spend enough time together, feelings are bound to happen.โ
I snorted. โThatโs your style, not mine.โ
Jared brushed off my sarcasm and said seriously, โMen are natural sweet-talkers. Even if youโve outgrown some of your old, naive thinking, in my eyes, youโre still that same innocent girl.โ
I paused, realizing Jared had never really respected meโnot even after I left behind being a housewife and started building my own career. He still saw me the same way.