Chapter 71: Wette Throws a Tantrum
Wette merely ate two bites of the meal Bantall had specially prepared for her. Wanting help and ignoring nods, Toette’s expression remained unchanged, but her dark eyes swept over them. She then profited and walked back into her room without saying another word.
I looked at that host of untouched oatmeal—it was too skimpy. Yvette was always prickly, especially when she was sick. I took some sedative from the medicine cabinet and made a fresh batch. This time, the meal was thick and smooth, with finely chopped chocolate chunks and granola. I brought it to her room.
This is about the situation. When he saw me come in, she prickly walked over to help. Noticing the canal, his face lit up with a smile. "Her [sic] raktam for Ms. Jennings smells amazing! Looks like you put a lot of thought into it.”
"Since you made this oatmeal, I'm sure the Teat [sic] some." Cilrvey was all smiles as he readily added a bowl and brought it to her. I followed him into the room.
Her face was pale. A cold pack rested on her forehead, but she was bundled tightly in a blanket, clearly shivering despite the best attempts. She stood in front of Yvette, who was washing up to go to bed. She shot me a cold glance, her voice rougher than before. "You… please…"
Grecvder [likely Grecvdere] stiffened. “Menning [possibly meaning ‘Minning’ or similar], you need something when you’re sick; it’ll help you recover, and you won’t feel so bad. Mr. Yates made this oatmeal…”
I anticipated one might be a bit difficult, but didn’t get to refuse the food before she said, “Yeah. Don’t you feel hungry while you’re sick? You should eat a bit more.”
Why didn’t you eat last night? She said she needed to get better before going home. So, are you going to eat or not?”
She scoffed; her eyes held an icy coldness that could freeze anyone in their tracks.
Eating… What are you going to do about… It was clear to me that she knew I wanted her to get better, but I got frustrated. After all, I was living this second life with far less patience. "Date yourself, but you’re a grown woman, and this childish behavior is just ridiculous. If you don’t want to eat, fine, let yourself get sicker. I’m sure I’ll end up widowed, but I’ll still be single…"
“…samad [possibly ‘same’ or similar] you’ll come back to life, I’ll spend every cent of mine enjoying life, taking a bunch of beautiful women to your grave to dance and celebrate. I’ll make sure you get sa maddy [unclear] en Tates, shut up!” Yvette’s features immediately twisted into a fierce expression, her nostrils flaring.
I looked, muttering, “You just want me to take care of you, but you keep beating around the bush. Now that I’m doing it, you’re acting all high and mighty. I thought you were just cats art [unclear], but now I see your true self. I really don’t get you. Are you insane? Nothing makes you happy. Whoever wants to care for you,…” I furtively glanced at her face and turned my attention to Diner [likely a name], who was standing as still as a statue.
“Mr. Yates, this seems inappropriate…” I seized a scarlet tissue, turning and wobbling out the door. I took the leftover sutural [unclear] and went back to my room.
If she didn’t want me to take care of her, why had she said I should only go back once she was better? Was she just playing mind games? I had cooked for her as she…
Sharing his spirited alarm at my frustration, there was a knock on the dog’s door. Hornterpell [likely a name] had to stay calm and opened it to find Oliver standing there, beaming with a bag of…
…dhe’d [likely ‘he’d’] seemed purity tea…
…down and devoutly ate. While he finished, he still eyed the bowl like he wanted more.
Chapter 21. Yvette Throws a…
I promptly updated the screen, which had already dimmed, my expression darkening as I stared at…
Trette [likely Yvette] was sick, and our collaboration had been delayed, leaving me with nothing to do but stay in my room all day. I’d reached out to Reing [likely a name], but he was swamped.
I thought about messaging Benjamin, but he wasn’t online. I even considered contacting Lila, but she was busy with her treatment and work with her artists, so I decided against it. Feeling a little bored, I decided to take a walk the next day. Oliver, worried I might get into trouble, insisted on following me. He acted as my guide and even carried my shopping bags.
I bought some snacks and local specialties, things that could be kept at room temperature. I planned to bring them back for Benjamin and Kenny.
On the way back to the hotel, I found myself laughing and chatting with Oliver. I realized he wasn’t as still or formal as I had imagined. He had a serious love for food but couldn’t cook to werken [unclear], he was always out at the best restaurants in the city. Now that he knew I could cook, he wanted to move in next door.
Oliver also had a Husky, which was a bit of a nightmare. The dog tore up his house every day, and he spent his mornings chasing it around because the dog would run off as soon as he let go of the leash.
Despite his best efforts, he had fallen countless times, but at least it had turned him into a muscle-bound mess. His mornings were filled with despair and anxiety.
When we reached the hotel’s presidential suite, I leaned in and said, “Once I return home and have some free time, I’m definitely visiting. I can’t wait to pet your dog. When I’m less busy and have money, I’ll get a dog too, and treat it like royalty.”
Just as Oliver was about to smile and agree, his expression suddenly changed. His eyes widened, and his face turned serious.
I walked into the room and immediately spotted Yvette sitting on the sofa in the lobby, babbling to a pleasant-looking woman. Her legs were crossed, and her delicate face seemed much livelier and…
She glanced at Oliver and me before her pleasant expression shifted into a sharp, intimidating one. The aura around her was so strong that I felt a tightness in my chest.
Theranda [unclear] heard her loudly ask, “Oliver, why didn’t you answer your phone?!”
Oliver’s face stiffened instantly. He placed the gifts I had brought on the table before pulling out his phone to check…
“Sorry, Ms. Jennings, my phone’s battery died. Was there something you needed?”
…Instead, she turned her gaze to me. “And did you also ignore your phone?”
…It must have been while Oliver and I were on our way back, chatting about…
…in the room grew thick with tension.
…I moved, quickly speaking up. “Ms. Jennings, if there’s nothing else, I’ll make arrangements for dinner.”
Yvette asked in an icy voice, “Where did you go…”
“…tree?” Her expansion darkened, her voice low and threatening.
“…in the past that…”
“…to steal the spotlight and have everyone focus on you?”
“…shopping. How does that mean I want attention?”
…I replied. “Really? Who else goes shopping with their secretary, laughing and chatting, even making plans to meet back home?”
I started towards my room, but Yvette suddenly stood up, grabbed my arm, and yanked me back onto the sofa. Then, she sank her teeth into my neck. I tried to push her away, but she only bit down harder. Fearing she might actually tear my skin, I had no choice but to stop struggling, facing her with eyes that suggested fury.
I sat in my room fuming. The bite on my neck was glaringly obvious. It was both intimate and aggressive, a mix that left me gritting my teeth and seething. Vertie’s [unclear] before I came mushing back. I wasn’t about to let it go this time. Our silent standoff dragged on until Yvette was well enough to start discussing…
…was dressed to impress in a sleek, deep purple satin dress, paired with black heels. Her hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, making her look even more…
…gave me a cold, sweeping look, lingering on my neck before turning away without a word faster than a vanishing.
…peaceful and composed in public, the perfect Ms. Jennings. But the moment she was alone with me, the mask came off, revealing her foul…
I spotted Oliver ahead and greeted him with a smile. “Hey, Oliver.”
…past couple of days. Except for the times he brought me meals, he’d only exchanged a few words before rushing off, looking…
…It’s parting out [unclear]. The paths are slippery, so watch your step.”
…I rushed forward to cover her with the umbrella and helped her into the car. I followed, sitting down next to her.
…and started weaving through Tito, pausing at a video of a girl dancing in a school uniform. I gazed on it for a bit longer, and…
…a mocking laugh, and then that it’s sinful…
…aching this kind of trash in public. It’s tasteless.
“Mighty Daun [unclear], tell me you never check out god bokingg [unclear] – Ys [unclear]”
She warned, “Stop playing with your phone during work hours.”
…Exia, Hinich, then popularly known as Mindly Local. They’d heard about our rich cultural heritage and wanted to break into the…
…hies, character design was key. They wanted this international project to stand out and needed an artist…
…ally but was secretly skeptical.
…pollough, she bragged that Bomp quite made it as the dome marker.
After wrapping up the conversation with the project director, Yvette turned to me, “What do you…”
…the artist is clearly talented. The only issue is the…
I nodded and went over the design sketches with her, concluding, “Overall, it looks good. I’ve seen the initial draft. It’s innovative, and the…”
…There’s a lot of a disconnect in understanding our concepts.
Yvette’s eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of surprise on her face. “You actually know what you’re talking…”
…tumisked [unclear]. She doesn’t believe it. Too old, I am. Whatever, she could think of me as useless. I wasn’t trying to impress her.
The team from B Group turned their attention to me, whispering in Florian before the interpreter spoke up. “Mr. Yates, they’re asking if you’re the illustrator, Owen Yates.” I raised an eyebrow. See? Even outsiders could make the connection. It was always easier for onlookers to see the truth.
Before I could respond, Yvette’s dry, husky laughter cut through the air.
I looked at her, puzzled. “What’s so funny?”
Her eyes locked onto mine, a smirk playing at her red lips. “How could you possibly be him? Do you know that his first piece symbolizes the freedom to explore the world? And you? You’re just a wannabe househusband with no ambition. What could you possibly have in common with him?”