Estrella, unfazed, began to speak, “Of course its…”
She couldn’t finish her sentence before Jason shot her a chilling look that made her swallow her words.
Fine, have it your way,” she conceded with a sigh. She thought to herself, ‘Such a petty man with
double standards.’
To keep the peace, Estrella pocketed the harsh words she wanted to say.
Estrella didn’t pull her hand away or protest when he made their relationship public. Jason grabbed her
hand, and their fingers intertwined. They had barely reached the entrance when Bryce, all hustle and
bustle, approached them. “Estrella, where’ve you been? I waited ages and finally came looking for
you.”
Noticing Estrella’s hand in someone else’s, Bryce didn’t even grant Jason a glance. He just whisked
Estrella away, looping his arm through hers. “I’ve got the gang together to keep you company,” he said.
Estrella’s voice was tinged with sarcasm. “Don’t be shy on my account.” Her comment wasn’t just about
Bryce’s presumptuous behavior but also about his disregard for Jason.
Bryce chuckled. “C’mon, we are friends.”
Estrella had to remind him, “Did you see the man behind you?”
Only then did Bryce take notice of Jason’s brooding presence behind him. He jumped at the sight of
Jason’s dark stare, then casually said, “Hey, bro. You’re here too. Just make sure Serene’s taken care
of. I’ve got Ella covered.”Jason shoved his hands in his pockets and watched Bryce in silence.
Unphased by Jason’s presence, Bryce told his friends, “The queen bee has returned. Make sure you
treat her right.”
“And remember,” Bryce added, “she can’t stand smoke, so no cigarettes tonight, guys.”
With that, Bryce seated Estrella amidst a group of eager young men.
“Hey, let’s continue our game. If you win, I’ll crack walnuts with my bare hands for you,” one of them
said.
“Sure thing.”
“Need a drink? Here’s some milk.”
“Want some fruit? Just open up.”
Bryce’s friends were just as quirky as he was.
Jason watched from afar as a circle of young guys entertained Estrella – playing games,
09.20
feeding her snacks, and massaging her shoulders. His face was a tapestry of emotions.
Bryce sure knew how to charm Estrella.
“You and Estrella are still this tight, huh?” someone remarked.“Definitely.”
“Good for you. Staying close to Estrella for so long, you got your eye on her?”
Bryce, ever carefree, boasted, “Of course, I am the best.” He didn’t mention pursuing Estrella, let alone
the fact that she was married, and certainly not that she was married to Jason.
Bryce, a law student from Ravenwood College like Estrella, followed her lead into the program but
eventually ended up drifting through a job at Nelson International.
Estrella was happily playing games with people, while several law department guys were on the
sidelines, cheering for Estrella and watching as some other people skillfully cracked open walnuts with
bare hands.
Jesse, with a lazy posture, lounged beside Estrella, arm draped over the back of the couch as if
Estrella were her girlfriend. She took particular delight in Jason’s glowering.
How the tables had turned, Jason now watched as Estrella became the center of attention.
Jason’s internal struggle was palpable. Admitting Estrella was his wife in this context would’ve been too
humiliating.
“Jason.” Serene called out to him cautiously as he returned to his seat, his expression frosty.
Jason didn’t respond, his focus solely on Estrella, who was laughing joyously. He longed to whisk her
away from the adoring crowd.
After a while, Estrella suggested a break from the games, concerned for one of the bo whose hands
were reddened from cracking walnuts. Ready to cater to her, Bryce’s frie started massaging Estrella’s
shoulders and arms.Their conversation meandered from case discussions to reminiscing about their colleg days. A girl who
had been chatting with Grayson suddenly mentioned, “Jason used to date Holly back in school, right?
Holly was quite popular too, but it’s such a pity what happened.”
The mention of Holly caught Grayson, Jason, and even Serene off guard. Jesse and Bryce glanced at
Estrella, who remained cool and collected. She continued to snack on nuts, her legs crossed casually,
waiting for the girl to continue.
Jason’s eyes remained frosty as he watched the girl who brought up the past. Grayson, sensing the
tension, intervened, “Is that so? I can’t quite remember. Let’s not discuss
those who aren’t here.”
“I didn’t mean to gossip,” the girl clarified. “We’re all alumni here, just reminiscing. It’s just that if Holly
were still around, she’d probably be married to Jason by now, right?”
At this, even Serene turned to look at Estrella, who seemed completely unaffected, popping nuts and
waiting for the girl to go on.
Jason, with his signature laid-back drawl, responded to the speculative chatter, “I won’t be marrying her
and for the record, I’m already hitched.”
“Mr. Jason, you’re married?”
“What? When did you tie the knot, Mr. Jason?”
“This is blockbuster news! I gotta spill the beans in our alumni chat.”Off to the side, Estrella was lazily cracking nuts, a smirk playing on her lips that now shone with an
even more radiant smile. Who knew Jason had such a knack for playing it cool?
Beside Jason, Serene turned her gaze to him, then flicked it back to Estrella, her eyes brimming with
both envy and sorrow. In Jason’s heart, the person he cared about the most must have been Estrella,
even more than Holly.
“So, Jason, who’s the lucky lady that got you to settle down so young?”
“Seriously, if Estrella here hadn’t declared her love for the ladies, I’d have bet you two were a match
made in heaven. Was even thinking of playing Cupid.”
noveldrama“Come on, Jason, who’s your wife? Can you give us a hint?”