Chapter 8: True Love
Night. Campus gates,
“Jake, I know I made a mistake today. But don’t be mad at me, okay?
Ava, whose eyes were red and distraught, clung to Jake’s arm. Since leaving the Perry mansion, Jake’s mood had remained grim. Even while driving her back to school, he’d been silent. Jake shook her off, his expression impassive.“Ava, it’s over. Don’t ever show up again” Tears streamed down Ava’s face. Her voice trembled,“Wh…why?”
Jake scoffed.“Who do you think you are? Why would you try to frame Riley? Ava froze. He was breaking up with her because of Riley? He hated Riley, didn’t he? ake ignored her, got in his car, and sped off. He called someone while driving “Mark, get everyone together. I wanna get drunk.”
Mark teased, “Aren’t you taking your girlfriend home? You’ve still got time for drinks? Jake snapped.“Are you coming or not?”
“Yes, sir! I’m on my way.”
Half an hour later, Jake entered the VIP room. Mark was surprised to see him alone. “Hey, where’s your girlfriend?”
“I dumped her,” Jake said, walking inside.
Mark was stunned.“What? How long were you even together?”
The other guys started teasing.“Looks like only Riley is your true love.* Jake leaned back on the sofa, lighting a cigarette. Mark looked at him with a complex expression. He couldn’t understand why Jake, who clearly cared for Riley, kept hurting her. Even Riley’s unwavering devotion couldn’t change that.
Mark sat beside him.“Jake, why don’t you
Jake scoffed.“Why would I?”
call Riley?”
Mark
gave him a thumbs–up.“Dude, you’re messing this up. Don’t look back, or Riley will have you wrapped around her finger.”
Jake was stubborn.“I won’t. Can’t the world go round without her?”
Despite this, his gaze kept drifting towards his phone on the table. Mark, Jake’s college roommate and friend, knew he was just bluffing. He grabbed Jake’s phone.
Jake asked, “What are you doing with my phone?”
“Calling Riley to come here.”
1
Jake grumbled, “Why? She’s annoying.”
Yet, he didn’t stop Mark. Mark found Riley’s number and called her.
One ring, then a recorded message.“I’m sorry, the number you have dialed is busy. Please try again later.”
Mark was confused.“Huh? She’s not answering. Did she block you?”
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Chapter 8: True Love
Menu
Jake’s expression turned grim. He snatched his phone, seeing the call ended.“Who the hell told you to call her?”
Mark stammered, “I was trying to help.”
“Help Riley annoy me? You know I hate her!”
Mark thought, “Fine. Just don’t regret this.”
Mark remained silent. Jake exploded, smashing his glass on the floor.“Listen up! Anyone who contacts Riley is off my friend list.”
The shattered glass scattered, some pieces nicking Jake’s cheek. He didn’t seem to notice. The room fell silent.
Jake sneered.“Speak up! Are you all deaf?”
They stammered agreement.
Jake grabbed his coat and stormed out.
Someone
whispered to Mark, “Dude, what’s
Jake’s problem with Riley?*
Mark shrugged.“Who knows?”
“Actually, Riley’s a good girl. She’s pretty, hot, a has a good temper. Most importantly, she likes Jake. What a shame…”
Mark didn’t reply. The man continued, “We’ve all seen what Riley’s done for Jake over the years. Remember when Jake got a small cut, and Riley was worried sick?”
“Yeah, and when Jake was drunk, Riley took care of him all night, making hangover soup and porridge for him.”
“If I had a girlfriend like that, I’d be over the moon.”
Jake, standing at the doorway, heard their conversation and felt more irritated. What a bunch of after–the–fact commentators. He broke up with her, and now they were saying it was a shame
In the car, Jake was still agitated. It had been a week. Not only had Riley not contacted him, she’d blocked him. She’d gotten bold.
He’d wait and see how long she could hold out. When she came crawling back, he wouldn’t show mercy. He’d teach her a lesson.
Arriving home, he saw his mother in the living room.
“Mom.”
She glanced at him coolly, blunt as always.“I don’t like Ava.”
Jake sneered. “You won’t accept anyone I like.”
Her face fell.“I’m doing this for your own good.”
a
not
an emperor,
Jake said sarcastically, “Yeah, so I broke up with her. Happy now? You never like anyone I like. I’m
normal person,
the empress dowager.” and you’re not She said coldly, “I think you’re drunk. Maria, bring him some hangover soup to sober him up.”
“I’m not drunk.”
She continued, ignoring him.“I’ve arranged a blind date for you. Meet her tomorrow.” Already annoyed, Jake exploded and kicked a vase near the elevator.
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Chapter 8: True Love
In high school, you wanted me to join the company. Fine, I did. I majored in finance and management. Now I’ve graduated and joined the company, and you want me to go into politics and ask me to be careful with my words and actions. You told me to break up, I broke up.
You want me to go on a blind date, I go. I’m a person, not your possession!”
He roared the last sentence.
Gina was startled, but maintained her composure.“Marrying a Fowler would be advantageous. What, are you still hung up on Riley, that gold–digger?”
Jake remained silent.
She continued, “Don’t forget why Riley was with you.”
Jake shouted, “For money! I have money!”
He stormed into the elevator. Lying in bed, discomfort gnawed at him. The cut on his eyelid Throbbed.
“Riley, my stomach hurts,” he mumbled, pressing his aching stomach. Then, impulsively, the dialed Riley’s number.
Chapter 9: Peter Likes Her?
