Chapter 8 He Finds Her Annoying

• Jonathan's eyes darkened. When he was about to retaliate, Ximena walked over out of nowhere.
• She smiled and asked, “Wow, Yvonne. New boyfriend? If I'm not mistaken, the man you were with before didn't look like this, right?”
• Yvonne knitted her brows as she felt Ximena had gone overboard. But why does she always try to make me look bad in front of Jonathan?
• Yvonne was secretly married to Jonathan for three years, but she had not told anyone about it, not even her mother. Unless Jonathan told her about the marriage? I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that Jonathan would come clean with Ximena, since they're about to get married.
• Nevertheless, she was pleased that Ximena made that remark.
• Her sarcasm gave Yvonne an opportunity to get herself out of the predicament.
• Instead of venting her anger, Yvonne grinned and replied casually, “Didn't you advise me to try different men out before settling down? That's why I try to learn from you and do my best to make all the boys happy.”
• Ximena's expression turned grim. She glared at Yvonne and asked, “Since when did I give you such advice? You're not in a serious relationship because you treat men like playthings. Look at me; Jonny is the only man I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
• “Well, if that's the case, you should start keeping an eye on the gentleman next to you. He peeped at me a few times,” Yvonne said while staring at the grim-faced Jonathan. No doubt he's a good-looking man with a hot body, but his personality sucks.
• After glaring at the man with disgust, Yvonne steeled herself and added, “Why are you glaring at me? You expect me to keep quiet after what you did?”
• Yvonne continued sneering at Jonathan despite looking away.
• She then held Savant's arm and walked away.
• Her remark seemed to have agitated Ximena. What does she mean when she said Jonathan peeped at her? Does she think she's a beauty?
• “What has happened to Yvonne? It must be that man who instilled all these ridiculous values in her. A few days ago, I saw her and another man in a hotel room, and now she's with another person. Yvonne always liked to flirt with boys during her high school years. I wonder how many men she has...” It was as if Ximena blurted this out unintentionally.
• Before she could complete her sentence, she realized the man was looking at her intently. She pressed her lips and looked away. “Jonny, I know you don't like hearing this, but I'm concerned about her. I'm just worried someone might toy with her feelings. Her mother just lets her be, and if I, as her cousin, continue to turn a blind eye to her actions, god knows what will happen to her. There are so many temptations out there—”
• “You wanted to meet me, so what exactly do you want to talk to me about?” Jonathan interrupted.
• “Can I work in your company, Jonny?” She looked into his eyes and continued, “I've been staying home for quite some time. My mom started complaining. She wants me to get a job, but people who know our relationship refuse to take me in.”
• She added, “I don't want to stay at home and do nothing anymore, Jonny. I want to create value and live a meaningful life. I want you to be able to count on me too.”
• All of a sudden, she inched closer and wanted to plant a kiss on his lips.
• The man frowned. Ximena's intimate action—even the way Ximena approached him—made him feel uncomfortable.
• Besides that night, he absolutely had no feelings for her.
• In fact, he found her to be annoying.
• When their lips were about to touch, Jonathan took a few steps back and adjusted his collar.
• He was in a foul mood, yet he had no idea why.
• That inexplicable, strange feeling just seemed to suffocate him.
• “Tell Yosef if you need anything. It's getting late. I'll get someone to send you home.”
• Ximena clenched her fists as she watched the man leave.
• She felt lost since Jonathan did not take the initiative to get close to her.
• She had tried everything she could to get in his good books but to no avail. Unlike the other men she had encountered, Jonathan was hard to please and was not easily fooled.
• Meanwhile, the sky had stopped pouring when Yvonne and Savant left the restaurant.
• Raindrops that landed on the tree leaves fell onto the ground. Not many pedestrians walked along the street that was dotted with street lamps.
• “W-Why are you still following me?” Yvonne looked at the man behind her. Shouldn't he be going home?
• “You seemed to be pretty natural when you used me just now.” The light shone on Savant's dashing face.
• Yvonne felt a little embarrassed. Indeed, she had used him to get out of the situation.
• “I... Um... I'm sorry. I...” Yvonne responded with an awkward smile, as she did not know what else to say.
• Suddenly, Savant walked up to Yvonne and whispered in her ear, “Don't feel sorry. I was willing to play along anyway.”
• He was pleased that he had finally found Yvonne—the genius who vanished off of the face of the earth for many years after she had outshone the others in the international competition.
• However, he had no idea what had happened to her in the last few years. He would surely be appalled to find out how miserable her life was.