Filed to story: A Second Chance with My Billionaire Love
Jovan’s expression turned cold. “What is there to understand? I told you, it’s true love.”
“If it really is true love, shouldn’t they have been dating long ago? They didn’t have to wait till now. I think Halston and Murphy must have made some kind of deal, and they’re hiding it from me.”
“So what if that’s the case?” Jovan chuckled frostily. “No matter what the reason is, he still chose to hurt you. That’s unforgivable in itself.”
“What if he was just trying to protect me?” Flossie hit the nail on the head, and Jovan stayed silent.
“See? I’m right! He only hurt me because he wants to protect me!” Flossie chirped, her gloominess replaced with joy.
She then tried to get more information out of Jovan. “You must know something, right? Can’t you tell me?”
“I don’t know anything, so stop asking.” Jovan scowled, focusing on his meal instead.
Scarlet then brought them another plate of fresh, thinly sliced meat. Cooking the meat in the hot broth, then dipping it into some sauce made it an absolute delicacy.
The man was quite frustrated, but… ‘Some good hotpot is all you need to solve any problems in life! If I’m still unhappy after this plate of meat, I’ll just order some more!’
“Jovan, don’t just eat! You must know something, so please tell me!” Flossie grabbed the man’s wrist, pleading.
Jovan stared at Flossie’s hand, not saying anything for a few minutes. After that, he said cryptically, “That’s right, I do know all about it.”
After all, he didn’t just know the entire story, he was the one behind all of it.
“Really? Tell me! Tell me now!” Flossie exclaimed excitedly.
“I can tell you, but you’ll have to promise me something first…” Jovan started grinning as if he were the devil himself.
Flossie was slightly speechless upon hearing this. ‘Is this guy copying me? I just had Akio Higashino do me a favor, and this punk here is trying to make me do the same? This is basically just canceling out what I got!’
“What would you like me to do? It has to be reasonable though. I won’t promise you anything that crosses the line!” Flossie pondered and decided to compromise.
‘My, my Halston. I’m compromising so much that my boundaries are basically non existent!’
“Don’t be so nervous, it’s not like I’m going to force you to do something you don’t like. Do I look like that type of person?”
“Yeah, you do. Every time you go nuts, you’re far from a good person. Heck, you don’t even act human when that happens!” Flossie said. She hadn’t forgotten how terrifying the man was when he was in a crazed state.
It wasn’t even a far stretch to call him a savage animal at those times. Now they were temporarily on the same boat, and could work in peace for the time being. However, that didn’t mean she had accepted him as a person.
Jovan sighed helplessly. “Looks like I’m not going to change your perception of me, but I really don’t intend to do anything bad today…”
“Just spit it out, what do you want from me?”
“Nothing much, I just want you to stop overthinking and have a nice meal with me,” Jovan said casually as he placed a piece of meat dipped in sesame sauce into Flossie’s bowl. He did seem genuine as he gestured at her to eat it. “Have a taste, it’s really good.”
“Uh, is that it?”
“Yeah, that’s it.”
“Alright, I’ll try it out.” Flossie finally picked up a pair of chopsticks and took a bite. This was her first bite of food tonight, and soon she felt surprise filling her, as if she had found new land.
It was delicious!
“Oh wow, this… this is so good! How could it be so juicy and savory? This is the best meat I’ve ever had!” Flossie excitedly grabbed another piece, placing it in the boiling hot broth with the fragrant steam attacking their senses.
“Lamb innards taste great in hotpot, you know? And eating this with beer can make you feel like you’re in paradise!” Jovan was happy with Flossie’s reaction. He even started recommending her the best way to enjoy it like he was an expert.
“Oh, this is so good! I’m going to cry!” Flossie couldn’t stop at this point, switching between the meat and beer. She didn’t even have the time to talk, and naturally forgot all about the trivial matters regarding Halston.
“I told you so, some good hotpot is all you need to solve any problems in life! If one meal can’t help, have two!” Jovan watched the woman scarf down the food, his lips curving upwards as his eyes were filled with affection.
“Humans are still animals after all. Once you’ve satiated your hunger, everything else doesn’t matter all that much.”
“I didn’t expect you to have a deep side, you know. Looks like you’re not a total mess! I agree with your statement completely, those are some pretty wise words.” Flossie sipped on her beer, feeling an innate happiness deep inside her.
Humans had very basic needs after all, any other problems were just created by themselves, most likely from overthinking when they couldn’t move on from certain situations.
“Good to know that you agree then. Come on, let’s eat and drink to our heart’s content! I’ll be right here with you.” Jovan said enthusiastically.
When Scarlet brought another few plates of meat and innards, the two quickly devoured everything on those three plates, all while drinking twelve glasses of beer each.
In the end, they started feeling quite tipsy.
Flossie placed her chin on her palm, leaning into her seat. She was giggling profusely, mumbling on and on about how she wanted to keep going.
“Let’s go. No more drinking, or else we aren’t going to be able to get home.” Jovan snatched the beer bottle out of Flossie’s hands, refusing to allow her to drink more. Even he was reaching his limit.
“Say… Jovan… Do you think I ate to my heart’s content?” Flossie grabbed the man’s arm, her eyes blank as she slurred her words.
“Of course, you almost finished up Scarlet’s stock!”
“Then… Did I drink to my heart’s content?”
“What do you think? If you drink any more, you’re going to get alcohol poisoning.”
“So can you tell me… why Halston won’t… choose me? He… What’s his reason?” Flossie stood up, swaying slightly on her feet. She held onto the man’s collar as she waited for his answer.
Jovan was initially still rather tipsy, but this sobered him up. He frowned coldly. “Why are you still thinking about it?”
“Of course, I am. Wouldn’t you want to know why you were abandoned?” Flossie covered her face, sobbing into her hands.
“Why are you men like this? He was the one who insisted on getting legally married, then he just disappeared! He swore to spend the rest of his life with me! How could he change so quickly?! Why is my love life so messed up?!”
“You made your choice to shoot yourself in the foot. Who else can you blame but yourself?” Jovan scoffed as he helped her out of the restaurant, standing by the road while they waited for their ride.
“I didn’t! I really didn’t! I gave myself choices, but… they all left… They left…” Flossie waved her arms around, clearly agitated as she recounted the people she once considered as partners. “Halston left… Liam left… Even Mr. Q left! Maybe I’m cursed, that must be it!”
“Alright, alright, I promise that I will never leave. I’ll stick to you like superglue, okay?”
“I don’t want you though, I want Halston… Just tell me, why is he leaving me? Didn’t you say you know the reason? If you don’t spill, I’ll annoy you the whole day!”
Seeing how pained Flossie’s expression was, Jovan was heartbroken and jealous, and a cruel fury burned in his chest. ‘Why? Why does Halston Guajardo get all her passion and love?’
He didn’t want to be some kind of second male lead who loved and protected the female lead unconditionally. He was done being in Halston’s shadow, and he was done being in second place.
“Do you really want to know why?” Jovan asked coldly as he held Flossie firmly to keep her standing, all while scanning her flushed red face.
“Mhm, I can’t sleep if I don’t.” Flossie nodded drowsily, her brain foggy though she insisted on searching for answers.
“Then listen up, I’m only saying this once,” Jovan said in a monotonous voice, his gaze chilling. “He’s doing this because of Jessanna Ximenez. He’s doing this for her.”
“Jessanna… Ximenez?” Flossie shuddered slightly, then completely passed out, as if her soul had literally left her body.
Just then, a vehicle arrived at the entrance. “Hello sir, did you call for a cab? What’s your destination?”