Gratitude and guilt swirled within me, keeping any sharp retorts at bay. I forced a smile, âNo worries, it hardly hurts.â
He withdrew his hand, letting out a silent sigh before saying, âYou should head back home. I just wanted to see if you were alright. Now that I know you are, I can rest easy.â
âAlright.â
The chill made me sniffle as I waved goodbye to him and headed towards my doorstep.
Thinking back to his asking about the place, I turned around, âOh, and Mark, Iâll make sure to move out as soon as I can...â
Originally, I thought ours was merely a friendship.
But knowing what I know now, I preferred it stayed that way, with no extra complications.
âNo need!â Mark cut me off. After a brief struggle, he seemingly conceded, âJust stay put, alright? Gregory lives across from you... not many would dare to stir trouble here. Itâs relatively safe for you.â
âThank you...â
âJane, weâre still friends.â
Seeing my discomfort, he decided to lay it all out, âDonât feel pressured just because I have feelings for you. Besides, you havenât held me back in any way. Now that everythingâs out in the open, letâs just continue being friends. Good friends. Youâre still the same junior I befriended, and Iâm still your senior.â
âDeal!â
Gratefully, I looked at him, sincerely adding before he left, âHaving a friend like you, Mark, is something I consider incredibly lucky.â
Being treated with genuine kindness by him, by Christine, was more than enough.
Mark pressed his lips together, glancing at the dark night outside, and muttered something I couldnât catch over the noise of a passing car.
âWhat was that?â I asked, trying to catch his gaze.
âNothing.â His eyes, deep and thoughtful, looked at me as he slightly chuckled. âI said, weâll always be friends.â
Ding! The elevator arrived.
Just before the doors opened, Mark softly said, âYou better head back.â
âOkay!â I nodded vigorously, feeling an indescribable emotion, as if something would change after this goodbye.
But there was nothing I could do about it.
As he was about to step into the elevator, Molly emerged from inside, surprised to see Mark, âOh, Mr. Larson, were you looking for Jane?â
Mark nodded slightly, âYeah. Youâre... Gregoryâs sister?â
âThatâs me,â Molly nodded. âLeaving already? Thanks for the other day, by the way. That ibuprofen really helped.â
âNo problem.â
Once Mark entered the elevator and the doors had closed behind him, Molly turned to me, a bit anxiously, âJane, are you and Mr. Larson... like, in a relationship?â
I laughed lightly, âFriends, weâve always just been friends.â
Her eyes searched mine for confirmation, âYou donât like him?â
âI do.â
Seeing her anxiety spike again, I chuckled, âBut just as a friend. Itâs different from romantic love.â
âOh, oh, okay.â Molly seemed relieved, nodding fervently.
Understanding a bit of her concern but not wanting to embarrass the young girl, I didnât pry further.
Instead, I worried about her health, asking, âYou mentioned medicine. Are you feeling alright?â
âIâm fine.â Molly, usually so outgoing, now seemed embarrassed, almost wishing she could disappear, âIt was just that... the other night when I went out, my period started unexpectedly, and I was in pain and made a mess... Mr. Larson happened to be there and bought me what I needed and some ibuprofen.â
...
Lost Me, Gained Regret (Jane and Bryant Ferguson)
ï¤Chapter 333 His Charming Wife ï¤Chapter 10 Dominant Boss: Call Me Hubby, My Dear ï¤Chapter 250 Finn Shows up Amidst Many Obstructions On the morning of December 24th, before Gregory could come knocking, I was already up.
After getting ready, I wheeled out my luggage, one big and one small.
As the door across opened, Molly saw me, her excitement palpable. âJane, are you really going back to Vista Town with my brother?â