Chapter 171

CHAPTER 171 Three days later.

Rebecca had sent Amber to take care of Jane, so Jane was doing fine now. Her chickenpox was almost gone, though the spots were still mildly visible all over her body. She was yet to leave her room, even though she really wanted to go out and get some fresh air.

“Mom and dad haven’t called me even once,” she puckered a little. “It’s like they went for their honeymoon.”

Her thoughts shifted back to Rebecca once again. “She doesn’t know it, yet, but she’s fighting a losing battle. Benjamin is drunk on her, but I’ll be his new wine.

“I never intended to take their relationship apart, but I’ve been waiting for the right person my whole life just like her. Maybe not as much as she did, and I’m not as cute as her, either, but... most average women are not cute, and I think I can be more intelligent, honest, supportive, and cooperative to my partner than she can be. These are only basic human qualities, but they are rare these days. I’m sure Benjamin will be attracted to me if she sees these qualities in me.”

Just then, Amber brought two people into the room. She recognized one of them straight away. “Evelyn!” It was her college friend. Seeing how they brought fruits and flowers, she was surprised. “How did you know I was sick?”

“Rebecca texted me,” replied Evelyn, and Jane couldn’t help but look at the tall handsome guy in a suit standing behind her.

“You two keep talking. I’ll be outside,” the guy said and hurriedly left. “Who’s he?” Jane wiggled her eyebrows. “Time really changes people. Can’t believe you of all people found a guy so good-looking.”

“He’s my boss, you idiot,” Evelyn tossed a rose in her face. “There’s nothing going on between us.” “Oh, yeah? But why do I see some unnatural glow in your face?” “That’s because you’re an idiot!” Evelyn threw the whole bouquet this time.

“Aw,” Jane cried out.

“He’s Adam Conteid. My CEO. He’s a big playboy, but he keeps his cool around me.”

“Is that so?”

A few seconds passed, and Jane sat up.

“Now, tell me,” Jane’s expression turned a little serious, “isn’t there something you want to talk about?”

Evelyn raised her eyebrows and smiled, “You’re as smart as ever. Rebecca did ask me to talk to you and convince you to stay away from her husband.”

“And you listened to her? You two aren’t really that close if I remember.”

“She’s asked for a good cause,” replied Evelyn. “Why would I say no?”

“Good cause?” Jane snorted. “Hmph.”

Evelyn remembered the conversation she had with Rebecca who told her Jane subconsciously preferred strong men who still liked domineering women because her mother also controlled her father, and that Jane was thinking Benjamin was also like that, given how he bore all the insults thrown at him by his in laws. But Rebecca told Evelyn that Benjamin wasn’t like Jane’s father who was submissive to his wife because he had messed up in the past by sleeping with an old flame. Ever since then, he had the character to admit his mistake and listen to his wife. In Benjamin’s case, however, he never did anything wrong like that, and it was only his love for Rebecca that made him bear all the crap Selena and other in laws had put on him.

Rebecca had always received hints as to how much of a rage Benjamin had kept sealed inside him for her sake. Her eyes, however, weren’t quite opened until Jane told her how special Benjamin was and to repair their relationship as soon as possible.

Thinking back on the conversation, Evelyn said, ‘You were the one who helped Rebecca change her mind about her husband, and now, you are trying to take him away from her? Does this seem fair to you?”

A hint of guilt appeared on Jane’s face, especially as she remembered the bright look in Benjamin’s eyes as he talked about his wife.

“Are you sure you love him?” Evelyn softly asked. “Or are you just lusting after him? I don’t know about love, but being single isn’t easy, so I can totally understand if it’s just your flesh craving for company.”

“Thanks for coming, but you should leave,” Jane got up and went to the washroom.

much as I could, Rebecca. I hope you two will Evelyn sighed and muttered under her breath, ” resolve this issue soon.”

Evelyn walked out of the apartment, and her CEO was playing with a pet dog tied up to a pole.

Seeing her, he stood and asked, “How did it go?”

“Well, it’s shocking to see them both be at arms like this. They used to be so close, but now they are behaving as if this Benjamin is a one in a billion kind of guy. I can understand Rebecca’s perspective and her desire to protect her husband, but Jane... she’s always been volatile in her relationships, and it seems sticking close to her is backfiring on Rebecca, so I can’t help but feel for her.”

“Didn’t you say Jane used to look ugly in the past? But the woman I saw was quite pretty.”

“Well, she used to be obese in her middle school. After her teacher called her Shrek, and her classmates began calling her a piglet, she took leave for a couple of months and then reattended school as a slim girl, or so I was told.”

“So it was a story of the past, huh.”

“Don’t tell me you’re thinking of dating her.”

“Ha-ha,” he chortled, “good joke.”

“I wasn’t joking though, Sir Adam. You’ve dated a lot of trashy women, yet you don’t find my friend Jane worthy?”

Adam cleared his throat. “I didn’t mean it that way. You know that, don’t you?”

“Well, I’m not sure.”

“What about you? What kind of a man is worthy of you?” he curiously asked. “Is it guys like Benjamin? Or...”

“I don’t know about this Benjamin guy,” she softly said, “but I don’t like guys who need women to diminish themselves and be submissive so they can feel superior. I think relationships have ups and downs, but when the woman is down, her man has to be ready to pick her up and share her pain, and vice versa. When one is down, the other shouldn’t abandon but must lend their flame, and together, they can shine and illuminate their household.”

“There are plenty of men who lay their lives on the line and work hard for their wives and children, though,” opined Adam.

“There are plenty who don’t give a shit about their wives or children, either. We won’t know who’s who until we live with them and go through trials together.”

“Like we’re doing now?”

Evelyn shook her head and blushed slightly.

“Haha, I was just kidding.”

“I’m sure you were,” her voice turned a bit icy.

They both drove away in a Chrysler 300, with Evelyn in the driver’s seat.

Meanwhile, Jane was texting Benjamin while sitting on the toilet seat. “Why haven’t you come to see me these past three days?

I’m deeply hurt by your actions, but I’m willing to forgive you if you make up for it.”

Benjamin read the message and then decided what he should do with it.

About thirty minutes later, a delivery guy knocked on Jane’s door and delivered a fruit pizza, sent in the name of Benjamin and Rebecca.

Jane made Amber eat the extra-large fruit pizza, and she looked mad. “I’m Jane Cooper. I’ve never failed to seduce a guy, and Benjamin... your heart is a bit resistant to this change, but I’m sure I can melt it and make you mine.” Her heart burned with unbridled passion.