Chapter 228
KASMINE.
I didn’t want to be down here.
God, I really didn’t.
Every fiber in me screamed to stay tucked away in the safety of my room, buried under the warmth of silence and solitude. But I threw that choice away the moment I glanced at my phone and saw his name lighting up my screen again.
Jaden.
I’d been ignoring his calls for days–pressing decline like a reflex, almost like breathing. He must’ve finally gotten the message because he stopped calling and started texting instead.
Persistent bastard.
–
And maybe whatever deity decided to touch him with a bit of remorse didn’t quite finish the job because despite the fact that he was trying to apologize for how our first date went, he still had that sprinkle of arrogance like a perfume he refused to wash off.
It was… irritating.
And oddly entertaining.
But it was a good distraction reading his texts – a stupid, oddly timed, mildly amusing distraction in a world where everything else felt like it was rotting around me – because they made me laugh, even though his texts weren’t the kind that made a girl’s heart flutter or brought heat to her cheeks.
More like that dry, unimpressed laugh you let slip when someone’s trying too hard and failing spectacularly.
Jaden:
> “Okay, I might’ve been a bit of an ass. Maybe just a teaspoon. Definitely not a cup.”
> “If we go out again, I promise not to interrogate you like you’re applying to be my next suitor.”
> “P.S. I wore something decent tonight. No cape. No crown. I promise. See you at dinner.”
With the last text, an idea popped up in my head. Wouldn’t this be the perfect opportunity to show Kester that I was moving on pretty well? At least, judging from the fact that things between us had turned this sour and he was finally getting engaged to June, soon to have a perfect fairytale ending I would never be a part of, it was the best time to move on with my life.
Things Between us had rotted past the point of repair, and even if they hadn’t, this silence and distance between us was enough to bury anything that had once lived.
But may Selene forbid it that I move on with Jaden. He was nothing more than a means to an end tonight. A temporary distraction dressed in bad apologies and worse arrogance.
Jake fit more into him, too. Plus, he
future I could settle for. Even though he wasn everything I wanted, I could settle for him. And I think I love now my boyfriend, wasn’t he? And who knows? He could turn out to be my mate in a few days.
Jake and I share a good connection… No fireworks, no wild storms, but something close to calm waters. That had to count for something. So, being mated to him wouldn’t come as a surprise to me.
Chapter 228
I forced the butterflies in my stomach to flutter, even though it seemed like they were fast asleep or in a coma. They had to learn to flutter whenever I thought about Jake. They shouldn’t be taught how to.
Kester’s engagement was in two days, so the best I could do for myself would be to gradually take my mind off him and whatever these stupid feelings are that have vehemently refused to go away.
The dinner was as boring as anticipated. The conversations were dry the wine too bitter, the food tasteless, Karina’s presence disturbing–but nothing was as nauseating as watching June and Kester sit so close together like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Kester’s attempt at showing he cared about my health earlier with June’s hands wrapped around his made nausea rise to my throat, but I gulped it down with the glass of juice I poured for myself.”
I checked the time.
8:04 PM.
Typical Alpha Jaden. Never on time.
But two minutes later, the front door swung open, and I saw him stride toward us in his usual arrogance, which seemed to always demand attention.
“Hello, everyone!”
His voice rang out, drenched in a cheeriness that was obviously forced and almost theatrical. It grated like lemon juice on scraped skin. “Glad I could join you tonight.”
“Alpha Jaden! We weren’t expecting you. What a pleasure!” Dad rose to his feet cheerfully.
“We are pleased to have you here. Please have a seat,” Mum let out a very warm smile as she gestured to the chair right beside me.
“Alpha Jaden, welcome…”
“Alpha Jaden…”
“Jaden…”
His name sounded like a chant coming from everyone around the table.
I rolled my eyes so hard I was genuinely scared they might fall out and roll under the table.
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