22. Anger That Arises

22. Anger That Arises
Although still in a state of irritation and anger, Jess got out of the car anyway. She needed some fresh air. She even deliberately slammed the car door in a fast motion, just to make her anger more obvious to her sister, even though without the door slamming, Florence should have realized it.

Florence wasn't stupid enough to not notice her sister's anger. She tried to stay calm and give an explanation that would sound reasonable. It was exactly what Jess needed.

The call from David was deliberately ignored by Florence. She came out when David had stopped calling her. She saw Jess walking towards a shady tree, which is where she eventually followed.

Jess realized Florence was following behind her. Then she immediately turned around and lashed out with stern and hot words to her sister. "Okay, what the hell?"

Florence sighed openly. "I know I owe you an explanation."

"It is." Jess leaned against a tree branch, her arms folded in front of her chest, the look in her eyes growing sharper and sharper, supported by the serious look on her face. "So, tell me now."

"There's someone in my house."

"What do you mean?"

"The man I saw at the mall earlier."

"What?" Now Jess stood up straight. Her anger slowly subsided and the look on her face suddenly became calmer. But, her seriousness was still just as strong, not fading at all. "Are you serious?"

"I'm not lying to you. I'm very serious."

"Well..." Jess now doesn't even know what to say. She thought, looking down, searching for the right words to say.

"I know you're angry with me. And that's natural, I don't blame you at all for that." Florence connected her words because she knew Jess was looking confused at the moment.

"Okay, just be honest with me." Jess now knew what to say. "Who exactly is he? Are you sure he's your client? Not a psychopath? Or a hitman hired to take your life? Or is he trying to get you harmed and hurt?" She took one step forward and shook both of Florence's shoulders. "Please, at least give me an explanation now. A word or two would be enough."

"I'm trying to explain it to you." Florence pulled Jess's hand that was on her shoulder, then grasped it tightly. "Trust me, he's not dangerous, he's just my client, nothing more than that."

"Are you sure he's just your client? Nothing more than that? I think the problem is much more complicated. You seem to be avoiding him too openly."

"No, he's fine." Florence waved her hand. She wanted to reassure Jess that there was nothing to worry about. "This isn't fiction, I'm not important enough for someone to want to wipe me out of the world for a hitman to be hired. You're thinking that way, it's just too much."

"Okay, if he knows you're off today? Why is he at your house right now? And if he didn't know about it, why didn't you just tell him? Problem solved, right? You don't have to make me feel upset from now on. You can get out of the car and tell him the truth, then he can leave and we can eat sushi. Oh damn, I even forgot about the sushi. But forget about the food first, I need to hear everything from you. That's much more important right now."

"It's not that simple, Jess."

"So, explain it to me."

"It's not that important—"

"You're making me even angrier this way. Give me an explanation that's not that hard, Flo." Jess emphasized her voice until it sounded loud. "Try to be fair."

"Okay, fine! Let's sit down."

Jess didn't argue anything. She complied. Sitting down quickly on the lush, green grass. If Florence had told her to go into the water over there, she would have complied as long as she got the proper explanation.

They sat facing each other in a place that felt unexpectedly comfortable. Under the shade of a tree with a gentle breeze that hit their faces while blowing away strands of hair.

"Okay..." Florence began. She was going to weave another lie for her sister. Please forgive her for this one. "I actually want to cancel my appointment with him."

Gosh, how many times does Florence have to lie to Jess? When is this going to stop? She would really regret it if she was allowed to speak the truth. But she wasn't ready to say it right now.

"Why?"

"I don't know. I just don't feel like I fit in. I told you a long time ago that I don't accept all clients. I'll definitely pick and choose."

"Well, then just tell him."

"I will."

"You don't think he'll be disappointed with your decision?"

"He will be disappointed, but I can't please everyone. I'll tell him nicely so that he understands."

"Yeah, that makes sense."

Florence took her hand. "I'm really sorry to you. You have every right to be angry with me."

"I was mad at you, but not now."

"Thanks." Florence smiled. She felt relieved even though with that she still couldn't cover up her guilt. Because in reality she was still guilty.

"You know what? I was able to pull my hair tight in the car earlier? You didn't leave me with any explanation. That upset me!"

"I apologize for that." Florence wasn't lying, she was really sorry right now.

"Forget it, let's eat sushi, this looks like an okay place."

"Very good idea. Let me get it, hang on." Florence couldn't let Jess pick up the sushi box that was still left in the car. She immediately stood up and made a small run to the car.

A trivial thing like this wouldn't immediately erase her guilt, but at least she had to do something, staying silent would only make her guilt intensify. And that was a mistake.

As she got into the car, David called her again. Florence sighed softly. She stared at Jess from inside here. Her sister could wait a moment. It shouldn't have been a big deal. 

In the end, Florence couldn't hold it in anymore. She had to talk to him. And the green button was pressed. 

The connection was made within seconds.