Olivia invited me here for dinner, Jewel answered in sign language. It appeared as though she was the only one in Alexâs eyes now, and he said while pacing toward her, âI was at Oliviaâs studio, and she said that you went home. Since then, Iâve been waiting at your place. Howâs your throat?â
Jewel shook her head. âIâm fine. âThereâs food in the kitchen. So take your fill,â Eugene said. Alex turned to him with a frown. âIâm having dinner at your place. Canât you prepare more food generously?â
âI didnât plan your share at all,â Eugene huffed. However, Alex wasnât a petty person. âItâs okay. This is enough food for me,â he said and sat down next to Jewel. âLet me take a look at your throat, Jewel. Why did it become inflamed?â
When she recalled the incident earlier today, a wave of awkwardness rose within her as she replied in a perfunctory manner, âIâm fine. Just at little worked up.â
He gazed at her with unconcealed worry before directing his attention to Olivia. âIs she okay, Olivia?â Olivia took a deep breath at the sight of his earnest eyes. Although the things Stefanie said were frankly out of line, Alex wasnât a bad person. At least he genuinely cared about Jewel, or else he wouldnât have waited outside her house until now.
âItâs nothing. Sheâll be fine after taking some medication and supplements.â
âHave you taken them yet?â Iâm going to prepare it in a while, Jewel promptly answered. âItâs not ready yet? Iâll help you to prepare it in a bit,â he said, stuffing the food on the table into his mouth like a whirlwind.
-Jewel furrowed her brows slightly as she rejected him, âItâs okay. I can do it myself. âIâll help you,â Alex said. Jewel cast a pleading look at Olivia, who shrugged helplessly.
In less than five minutes, Alex placed his fork down and removed himself from the table. âLetâs go. Itâs 9.30PM now, and the supplement needs forty minutes of prep time. So by the time you finish eating, it will be very late already,â he said, grabbing her hand, but right after he got a hold of her hand, she snatched it out of his grip.
He was startled by her actions as he looked at her. âWhatâs wrong?â âNothing. You should go home. I can manage by myself, she answered.
He was utterly wrong-footed when he finally noticed her distancing herself from him. Whatâs up with her? he wondered and peered at Eugenel and Olivia, who were both wearing complicated expressions. After he thought it over, he decided to compromise. âOkay. Iâll visit you tomorrow.â
âYou donât have to run all over the place for me. Iâm fine, Jewel gestured. Then, she said. goodbye to Olivia and Eugene and left without a backward glance.
Alex stared at her retreating figure and reckoned that something must have happened. Otherwise, she wouldnât treat him this way. Although she had always been very formal with him, she hadnât been this firm before. In addition, he could clearly feel that she was drawing the line with him.
He didnât hesitate to voice his suspicions to Olivia and Eugene, âWhatâs up with Jewel?â Olivia remained silent as though he shouldnât. have bothered asking as she cleared away the cutleries, and he shifted his gaze to Eugene instead.
Eugene stole a glance at her before deciding against saying something incriminating. He wanted to help Alex, but he was rightfully worried that she would be upset if he did.
He didnât even need to ask to know that she would side with Jewel, so he could only feign ignorance and mumbled, âWhy donât you ask her directly?â
Alex exclaimed with eyes as wide as saucers, âAre you serious? Wasnât I asking the whole time? But she doesnât want to say anything!â âDo you think we have any idea when she doesnât want to say anything?â Eugene snapped, glaring back at him.
An anxious Alex looked toward the couple before him desperately as he begged, âWeâre friends, arenât we? Do you guys want to see us break up?â
Right then, Olivia walked out of the kitchen and pursed her lips before shattering his dreams. âYou make it sound as though you two are dating.â
Alex immediately pulled out the big guns and stared at her with puppy eyes. He even headed into the kitchen to help her clear the table without any prompting as he persuaded her, âOlivia, Iâm sure you know something. Tell me, whatâs wrong with her?â