Chapter 13 Jealousy Fight
Eugene and Aria went to find a staff member to see if they could switch to the seats next to them. Declan noticed Jennifer's lips were a bit pale and asked, "Hey, you feeling alright? If you don't want to see Eugene, we can go somewhere else."
Jennifer shook her head. "He's the one who messed up, not me. I got no reason to leave."
Declan knew they had broken up before, but seeing Jennifer's attitude and Eugene and Aria all lovey-dovey, he quickly guessed Eugene had cheated. He felt pissed and wanted to help Jennifer get some payback.
The four of them gathered to play games. Declan and Eugene were competing openly and secretly, even turning the game into a bet where the loser would get punched. Jennifer rested her hand on Declan's arm and said, "Don't do that."
Eugene found her touch incredibly annoying and sneered, "Ms. Brown, you think Declan's gonna lose? If he admits I'm better, I'll let it slide."
Declan, feeling triumphant, replied, "Jennifer's just worried about me! And even though I'm younger, I'm responsible. I'll definitely treat my future girlfriend right!"
Aria laughed heartily. "Jennifer, let them compete. It's all in good fun." She thought it was just normal guy stuff and that even if they did punch each other, it wouldn't be too bad. She cheered for Eugene and casually asked Jennifer, "You knew Eugene before, right? What do you think of him?"
Jennifer felt a bit awkward. "Yeah, but I don't know him that well." Although she had been with Eugene for a long time, she knew it was all an act on his part, with no real feelings. Her position was awkward; even if she warned Aria, Aria would definitely trust her boyfriend more.
Aria, thinking they hadn't interacted much, said happily, "My boyfriend is young, successful, and handsome. I thought he'd have lots of pretty girls around him. But his friends all say he has good character and is very loyal."
At that moment, the first round ended, and Declan had a perfect score; he won! He said bluntly, "So I get to punch, right? Eugene, you won't hold a grudge, will you?"
Eugene's face darkened. "A bet's a bet. Get it over with so we can continue."
Declan looked him up and down, wanting to punch his face but knowing it would be too obvious. So he punched Eugene hard in the stomach instead. Eugene grunted and stepped back, gritting his teeth. "Again!"
Aria's smile faded, and she supported Eugene with concern. "Eugene, you okay?" She then scolded Declan. "Declan, it's just a game. Did you have to hit so hard?"
Before Declan could respond, Eugene stopped her. "Aria, I'm fine. He didn't hit that hard. We're just messing around." He wanted to show his toughness in front of Aria and wouldn't admit he was in pain. Besides, he still needed a chance to get even with Declan.
Jennifer felt a sense of satisfaction seeing Eugene in pain but also worried about Declan getting hurt. Eugene was only one point behind him, and their skills were evenly matched, so the outcome depended on luck.
Declan, however, didn't seem to care. "No worries, I'm young and can take a hit. Unlike Eugene, who's probably worn out from all his overtime."
His words had a hidden meaning, but Aria suddenly blushed. "Declan, don't talk nonsense. Eugene isn't weak!" She turned to Eugene. "I won't stop you. Teach him a lesson and hit him back."
This time, Eugene won. He punched Declan, who dramatically jumped and yelled, "Eugene, you really hold a grudge."
Jennifer glared at Eugene, feeling he was being a bully, and supported Declan. "Are you okay? Maybe we should play something else."
Declan patted her hand. "I'm fine. This is nothing compared to when my dad hits me." Spending this half day with Jennifer, he had figured out her temperament. He knew that acting tough wouldn't win her over; showing a bit of vulnerability would bring them closer. Sure enough, Jennifer smiled.
Aria, feeling proud, said, "He probably didn't control his strength the first time, so Eugene just returned the favor. My Eugene is the fairest."
The game continued at the insistence of the two men. They even got Jennifer and Aria to join. If Jennifer won, Eugene would get punched; if Aria won, Declan would get punched. This ignited Jennifer's competitive spirit, and she won once, cheering loudly. Eugene's face darkened, seeing her so happy to see him get hit.
After a few rounds, Eugene and Declan were sweating, not from exhaustion but from pain. Jennifer suggested, "How about a break?" Everyone agreed.
After a while, Declan asked, "Do you want a soda? I'll go get some."
Jennifer replied, "Sure, I'd like grape flavor." Aria tugged on Eugene's sleeve. "I want one too, peach flavor."
Eugene and Declan went to get the sodas while Jennifer and Aria sat on the bench to rest. Jennifer replied to a few work messages, while Aria chatted with her friends, smiling. Suddenly, a scream came from the soda machine area. "They're fighting!"
The two women exchanged a glance, and Aria hesitantly asked, "Could it be them?"
They rushed over to see Declan and Eugene fighting! Soda was spilled everywhere, and both of them looked a mess. Declan had blood at the corner of his mouth and was pinning Eugene to the ground. Both of their faces were twisted with anger. Jennifer froze for a moment before remembering to call security.
Aria screamed and rushed to pull them apart. "Declan, are you crazy? Stop it!" The scene was chaotic until security arrived and quickly separated them.
Someone had called the police, and soon they arrived, taking all four of them away. As they were separated, Eugene and Declan still glared at each other defiantly. The police said the club was accusing them of causing a disturbance and demanded compensation for the damage. Both men agreed. But when asked why they had fought, they remained silent.
Aria gently tended to Eugene's wounds with a cotton swab, her eyes full of concern. "Declan, you went too far! What happened? Eugene's face is all scratched up."