Chapter 27

Johann smiled at Porter and even offered them to sit with them. “Nice to meet you too, cousin.” He beamed a little more sincerer than how Porter sounded and Janine could sense a very tensed atmosphere.

Porter sat in front of Johann and a little to the side of Janine in this round table. She could sense that Porter isn’t amenable to this surprise dinner but she couldn’t do anything about it.

What can she do if he’s boyfriend is just too generous to offer their table with them?

She looked at Czarina and smiled weakly.

Czarina is not actually a bad woman, to be honest. Taking out her clingy side, she’s actually a decent woman. She’s not nosy or what. She has a good family background. She is pretty and elegant at the same time. She’s perfect. Almost.

“I didn’t know you have got a new girlfriend, cousin.” Porter started to speak but anyone who could hear him would notice the sarcasm in his voice when he said ‘cousin’.

Hell, he is really mocking Johann.

Johann smiled and held Janine’s hand. He looked at Janine lovingly and Porter’s jaw tightened. How he wanted to take Johann’s filthy hands off his girl! But how could he? He’s not the legal one. He’s not the official one.

“I finally found the one.” Johann spoke as he looked at Janine with full smiles. “I won’t ever let this girl go.” He said and Janine just smiled weakly.

How could she not feel guilty right now? She’s cheating and the man she’s cheating with is right in front of her, looking at her with eyes of intent, without knowing his thoughts.

“Really?” Porter raised his brow.

Johann smiled and nodded. “To be honest, we’re going on our third year already.” He announced as he held Janine’s hand.

Janine looked down and bit her lip. She didn’t why she was embarrassed by that simple gesture. She just is.

“Third year?” Czarina asked in delight. “Wow! That’s long already! You two could get married already!” She beamed in a happy tone.

Johann smiled as he looked at Janine. “I don’t know. Are you ready, baby love?” He asked her and she just answered him with a smile.

Czarina giggled with Janine’s little shy interaction with Johann as she clung onto Porter’s arm and leaned on his shoulder as she watched. “Aren’t they sweet, Porter?” She asked Porter whose eyes were fixated on Johann’s hand on Janine’s.

Damn it. It’s killing him.

He knows that he told Janine that he would not be jealous of her boyfriend but he fucking didn’t know that it’s his cousin. The cousin that he loathes the most.

How can he even be happy with this?

Johann looked at Porter and smiled. “You two still going strong?” He asked.

“No.” “Yes!”

Johann blinked at the contradicting response. “O…kay?” He spoke in uncertainty. “Are you fighting right now?” He asked.

Porter glared at him. “My dear cousin, I am single.” He said as he removed Czarina’s hand around his arm. “Czarina just asked me grab lunch with her so she would stop following me around for a year.” He explained and Czarina frowned at him.

Janine looked at Porter who was being rude. She wanted to say that Czarina is hurt but she couldn’t. Johann didn’t know that Janine and L knew each other. Or maybe he will today.

Johann narrowed his eyes on Porter. “You’re still rude, Poter.” He spoke. Anyone who could hear his voice could sense some tension in his tone.

Porter scoffed. “Who made me this rude anyways?” He asked back.

Czarina and Janine were starting to panic. The atmosphere is full of tension.

“Everybody moved on except you, Porter.” Czarina butted in. “Come on. Don’t cause a scene in here.” She pleaded.

Porter rolled his eyes at Johann and at Czarina while Janine just watched. She didn’t know what’s happening and it’s making her more curious.

“I have moved on.” Porter spoke. “In fact, I am seeing someone else.” He continued and Janine got nervous all of a sudden. What if he blew them up right now? She’s not yet ready to choose. Or will she ever be ready to choose?

Czarina looked at Porter in disbelief. “You are not.” She said in denial.

Porter smirked. “I am.” He said. “In fact, we’re almost going on our first month.” He announced.

Janine gulped as she looked everywhere but Porter. Damn. She couldn’t look at Porter right now. She’s nervous and it’s starting to drain all her energy down.

No. He wouldn’t blow them up today.

“Who is she? Care to introduce to us?” Johann asked in challenge, making Janine more nervous.

Porter smiled menacingly. “Why would I introduce her to you?” He asked back. “The last time I introduced a girl to you, a bad thing happened. I wouldn’t want a second time for that.” He spoke.

Johann smiled back. “Well, Janine is everything to me right now.” He said as he wrapped his arm around Janine’s waist making her jump in surprise a little. “I wouldn’t even look at any other girl.” He continued as he planted a kiss on her temple.

Porter’s jaw tightened. How could his hell of a cousin kiss his girl right in front of his face? How he wanted to punch him hard right here, right now. But hell, if he did that, he’d lose Janine. He knows he’d lose Janine.

He smiled. “Still a no.” He shook his head as he glanced at Janine who’s looking scared right now.

“Stubborn and liar.” Johann spoke much to Janine’s dismay.

“Johann Kim,” she called his attention. “Just respect his privacy.” She beamed, partly siding with Porter.

Porter smirked at Johann. “See? Your girlfriend is too mature for you, Johann Kim.” He mocked his cousin. “Maybe you’re not meant to be.” He beamed making Johann start to get pissed.

“You are not in the place to say that.” Johann gritted as he balled his fists.

“Johann,” Janine whispered to him to calm down. She looked at everyone on that table. “Can’t we just eat peacefully?” She asked but Porter scoffed and stood up.

“I lost my appetite.” He said as he wiped his mouth with the table napkin. “I better go ahead before I smash someone’s head on the table.” He said before he left.

Janine was shocked at how hostile Porter acted. She knows that it’s partly her fault because she’s with Johann but she couldn’t do anything about it.

She hoped she could at least comfort him.

If only she could.

--

That night, Janine couldn’t sleep. She’s still thinking about Porter and his words. Something must have happened in the past. No. Something really happened in the past to make him loathe Johann this much. It’s not just because he’s her boyfriend. It has something more to it.

And she wanted to know.

She’s been calling and texting Porter for a hundred times but she couldn’t get to him. He’s not answering her calls or her texts and she’s starting to get worried.

She heaved a deep sigh as she got up from bed to get some water in the kitchen. Damn it. Her mind is filled with Porter and she couldn’t even concentrate on pouring the water into the glass.

She looked at her phone once again. Still no replies from him. Where in the world is he?

She sighed to herself as she sat on the bar in the kitchen. She wanted to know if he’s fine because she’s really worried. Damn. How could she not even be worried when she knows that this is partly her fault? Or maybe it’s mostly her fault.

After a few seconds, their doorbell rang. She narrowed her eyes on the door. Henney’s not coming home tonight because she’s staying at River’s place, so it’s not her, right?

She walked to the monitor and her eyes widened. She immediately opened the door and saw a drunken Porter in front of her. Well, he could still stand and walk straight but the smell of the liquor is lingering around him.

“Why are you drunk?” She asked as she assisted him inside their house. She made him sit on the couch as she told him that she’s just going to get some water for him.

“Wait,” Porter held her hand and pulled her onto his lap. He smiled at her as he caressed her face. “Janine Kwon,” he started. “Don’t you know how hard it is for me already?” He asked.

Janine narrowed her eyes on him. “Porter, you’re just drunk. Let me get something to help you back to your senses.” She told him as she tried to get out of his lap but he held her down.

“Johann Kim is a bastard.” He said. “He’s the reason why I didn’t want to get involved with girls. He’s the reason why I lost everything. He took Czarina from me before.” He said without stopping. “And now fuck destiny!” He exclaimed. “The table has turned. I am the one who’s taking someone from him. It’s crazy, Janine.” He scoffed. “But now I understand the feeling. I know this is wrong but I love you. I want you.” He looked into her eyes.

“Love is always right, isn’t it?” He asked. “Hell. I would fucking go to hell if that’s what it takes for me to have you for me. I love you, Janine Kwon. And no, I am not going to back down. I’ll steal you if I have to. I’ll do whatever it takes to have you mine.”