Chapter 134

“Oh my….”

The shop clerks let out soft exclamations when they saw Johan.

Their gazes were so intense that I moved closer and tried to block him.

There was no way I could hide Johan, who was taller and broader than me, but still.

“It suits you well.”

With the hat and mask, only his eyes were visible, but he would know I was smiling brightly.

A faint hint of embarrassment crossed his face before it disappeared in an instant.

“Can’t you dress like this more often from now on?”

No matter what I said beside him, Johan finished paying and picked up the shopping bag.

When we stepped outside, the cool air brushed against my cheeks.

My body naturally shrank.

“There are about two hours before I have to go to work, so let’s go get dessert before that.”

“Yes. Sounds good.”

Johan nodded, then lightly grabbed my arm and stopped me.

“Why?”

Without warning, Johan untied my scarf. Then he adjusted it and wrapped it again so my ears wouldn’t be exposed.

“This will look really tacky….”

“It’s better than being cold. You didn’t buy gloves. Didn’t you say your hands were cold?”

“They are. Very. They didn’t sell gloves.”

That’s a lie. There were gloves in every color.

I’ve seen plenty of men try tricks like this, but it’s my first time doing it myself.

I casually lifted my now cold hand.

Johan ignored the hand waving in front of him and started walking again.

Seeing that attitude, it wasn’t that he was oblivious. He just didn’t want to hold my hand.

Well, it can’t be helped. If I want to hold his hand that badly, I’ll just have to keep nudging him from the side.

***

I stopped by a café I used to come to often with Noah and Mandy.

I’m happy that the person I came here with is Johan.

Maybe that’s why I keep feeling excited even though the atmosphere isn’t that great.

“It’s delicious….”

Now that my mind feels more at ease, I can really taste the dessert.

“I feel good.”

“It shows.”

“I feel even better because I’m with you.”

“….”

Johan slightly lowered his head and sipped his coffee. He pretended not to hear, so I said it again.

“I like you.”

“….”

“Now that I’ve decided to be honest, I feel relieved. It feels good.”

I stabbed the cake with my fork.

Whipped cream cake and cocoa.

It’s a combination so sweet it makes your tongue tingle, but for me right now, it’s the perfect remedy.

“You just got flustered, didn’t you? I know.”

“….”

“But I never dated Tristan. I only pretended to. He did a strange interview, didn’t he? Do you know why?”

“I do. That you two weren’t anything.”

“It’s not that we weren’t anything.”

Johan’s gaze sharpened for a moment as his brows lifted.

It’s funny how he ignores all my expressions of affection but reacts the moment Tristan comes up.

But it’s a little cute, too….

“What kind of relationship do you have with Tristan?”

“Are you asking me that?”

“Yes. Are you two close? Or just rivals? You’ve known each other a long time, so are you colleagues?”

“We’re not in any kind of relationship.”

“I see. That’s a relief.”

“What is?”

“People think Tristan and I are ex-lovers. If you two are friends, it’d be a bit awkward to date the same woman.”

Thud!

Johan set his cup down roughly, making the coffee inside slosh.

I like this reaction a little.

The hardened expression is thrilling.

I barely held back the corners of my lips from curling up.

“I clearly told you not to act like that.”

“Then tell me.”

“Tell you what?”

“Say that you feel good being with me right now. I want to hear it.”

I propped my elbow on the table, cupped my face in my hands, and leaned forward.

Johan, who had lost his words, had the tips of his ears turning red.

Ah, he’s really adorable.

Before I knew it, a bright smile burst out of me.

No matter what happens on the other side of the world, no matter what situation I’m in, it doesn’t matter.

I’m just happy because this feeling is so overwhelming.

That alone is enough.

***

If Friday tastes like something bright and sparkling, Monday tastes like death.

After spending the whole morning and afternoon with Johan, it’s already four o’clock, and as I head to work, my body feels heavy and drained.

“I’m not going anywhere. Really.”

“I don’t think you can run away. And I don’t think I’ll show you any mercy.”

Because he said it in such an even tone, it felt even more chilling.

With Johan seeing me off, I stepped through the restaurant doors and went in for my shift.

“Noah. I think I can go straight home now, so I’ll probably be able to bring Nelson tomorrow.”

“You already installed the security bars?”

“No, not that… Anyway, everything’s fine now.”

There’s no way it’s dangerous with Johan around. If anything, the one in danger is the robber.

“I’ll bring Nelson tomorrow.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

“It’s nothing.”

Mandy, who had just arrived, walked over quickly and whispered.

“Alex must be out of his mind. He came in today with his hair slicked back!”

“Did he get hit on the head over the weekend or something?”

“He’s making a big deal about trying to win you over.”

“The fact that he’s not scared even after I mentioned my criminal brother multiple times makes me think he’s not normal.”

“He realized you were joking about your brother.”

“This is a problem. Thanks for telling me. I’ll try to handle it.”

Alex isn’t the type to take no for an answer even if I clearly say he’s not my type.

I can’t just tell him to go get bitten by Nelson.

If I did, only Nelson’s teeth would suffer.

As I lowered the chairs that had been placed on the tables and started preparing to open, Alex came out of the kitchen carrying a bunch of drinks and snacks.

“It’s Monday, so let’s all have a drink and get started.”

I deliberately stuck close to Noah and Mandy.

“The boss isn’t in today?”

“She said she has something to do, so she’ll be in late.”

She probably has a lot to deal with because of the lottery winnings.

Laura said she put the money into my account, but I’m not sure how I should use that large sum.

‘Should I save it?’

In the past, I would’ve donated it without hesitation, but now I have to make a living on my own, so I’m hesitating.

That money isn’t something Raphael earned through wrongdoing.

Winning first place in the lottery is even harder than Raphael repenting, so it’s money earned with great difficulty.

Anyway….

‘He really did slick back his hair.’

Looking at the parted, combed-back hair, I felt a heavy sense of regret that I don’t have the heart of a beast like Raphael.

“I got a haircut to try a new style this time.”

Alex casually asked me, “Do you think it suits me?”

“Well… it’s okay.”

“Really? Hmm. So, what did you do over the weekend?”

“I stayed home.”

I lied on purpose because if I said I hung out with Noah and Mandy, he might ask to join too.

It’s not entirely a lie since I stayed home all day on Sunday.

“You’re at the age to go out and have fun. Go out, meet guys, and go on dates.”

I don’t know how to respond to that trashy remark.

I deliberately chewed my cookie for a long time, pretending I couldn’t answer.

“Jean. What’s your ideal type? You probably like a dependable, solid man like your dad, right? Aren’t all women like that?”

“I hate men like my dad the most.”

I answered flatly on instinct, then quickly added, worried I might ruin the mood.

“I like men around my age who are handsome and rich.”

“That’s when you dream of princes.”

Mandy met my eyes and said with her gaze, ‘See? He’s a total creep.’

“Actually, there’s someone I like.”

“Keh!”

Alex choked and thumped his chest.

I never thought the day would come when I’d make up a boyfriend.

I have no right to curse Tristan for asking me to pretend to be his girlfriend.

“Is he handsome?”

Mandy chimed in from the side.

Is Johan handsome?

Pale skin that doesn’t burn easily even under the sun, jet-black hair, piercing blue eyes, sharp gaze, and full lips.

He’s someone who shows that a man’s elegance can be sexy.

Johan’s looks are a matter of taste, to the point that asking if he’s handsome is meaningless.

“Oh my, Jean. Look at you. He must be really handsome?”

As Mandy made a fuss, Alex dampened the mood.

“But it’s such a long-distance thing, will that be okay? Blue City and Black City are on opposite ends. You’ll forget him soon.”

“I don’t know. I like him too much for that.”

If he were more straightforward, I could reject him outright, but since he keeps being subtly pushy, there’s nothing I can do but draw a line.

‘Still, if I’ve said this much, he should stop now.’

That’s what I thought, but it was all my mistake.

Stupid Giselle Moltke.

I’ve even been stalked before, so how can I still be this naive?

“Jean. What about me? I have a fair amount of money too. I’ve been saving diligently.”

I held back the sigh rising in my throat.