Chapter 20

“I USED to work in one of Ken’s restaurants,” Janine answered before Ken could fuel the fire. “That’s why we talked like we knew each other for a long time.”

Paulo knotted his forehead as he looked at both of them. “Is that so? Then why you didn’t tell me in the first place?”

Janine swallowed hard and glanced at Ken. “I-I just don’t want to be connected with him. You know, Ken is a very influential man, and I don’t want to use his name in business transactions.”

“I see…” Paulo nodded, agreeing to what she said. “You’re right. I never tell anyone that Ken is my brother,” he laughed. “Luckily, we have different surnames.”

Ken cleared his throat. “We’re not in France,” he said, looking at her. “You don’t have to pretend that you don’t know me. Nobody knew me here.”

“Ken’s right,” Paulo agreed, then turned to his brother. “But it doesn’t mean that you can interrupt us, Ken. So, if you don’t mind, I need to speak with Janine alone.”

Paulo pulled her hand, but Ken caught her other hand. Janine stood frozen, caught in the growing tension between the two brothers. Paulo’s words echoed in her mind, urging her to talk to him and assuring her that he could wait for her answer. Meanwhile, Ken’s insistent grip on her hand intensified, refusing to let go.

Sensing Janine’s shock and discomfort, Paulo took a step forward, his voice firm but gentle. “Ken, please, this is something between Janine and me. Let her go. We need to have a conversation.”

Ken’s jaw tightened, and his eyes locked onto Janine’s. He ignored Paulo’s plea and attempted to pull her closer. “Janine, we need to talk,” he insisted, his voice tinged with urgency.

Janine’s heart raced as the tension between the two brothers escalated. She could feel the weight of their conflicting desires pulling her in different directions. It became overwhelming, and she knew she needed to remove herself.

Summoning her strength, Janine gently pulled her hand from Ken’s grasp. “I... I need some time alone,” she stammered, her voice wavering with confusion and frustration. “Please, both of you, let me go.”

After recognizing Janine’s distress, Paulo immediately understood the need to give her space. He nodded, his expression filled with understanding.

“Of course, Janine,” he said softly. “Take all the time you need. Remember, my offer still stands, and I’ll be here whenever you’re ready.”

As Janine turned to leave, Paulo’s voice trailed after her, filled with sincerity and reassurance. The confusion within her intensified, torn between the complexities of her past with Ken and the possibility of a different future with Paulo.

Her mind spun with unanswered questions and conflicting emotions as she walked away. The turmoil within her threatened to overwhelm her, and she longed for clarity and peace.

But even as Janine distanced herself from the brothers, a nagging sense of concern lingered. The encounter with Ken had left her unsettled. She couldn’t ignore the lingering connection they shared, despite the pain it had caused in the past.

She yearned for a resolution, hoping to find clarity in the storm within her.

***

JANINE entered Adelle’s apartment, feeling a mixture of relief and anticipation. Adelle’s boyfriend was still there, but she knew he wouldn’t mind their impromptu gathering. As he bid them farewell and left, Janine took a deep breath, ready to spill the details of her eventful day.

“Adelle, you won’t believe what happened at the mall,” Janine began, a hint of worry in her voice. “I was innocently looking for new bedsheets when I saw Ken with another woman again.”

Adelle’s eyes widened in surprise. “No way! Ken was there? And with someone else? That’s quite the coincidence.”

Janine nodded, her tone laced with disbelief. “I know, right? It was like fate was playing a cruel joke on me. But that’s not all. Then I ran into Paulo, and he invited me to lunch with them…”

“So, Ken and Paulo were together?” Adelle asked with a knotted forehead; she stood from the couch and went to the fridge to get some lemonade for her. “They knew each other?”

Janine paused, realizing what she just said. “N-No… They’re not together. It just happened that they’re in the same mall as me.”

Adelle nodded. “That’s one hell of a coincidence! You must be shocked. So, what did Ken do when he saw you? Did he bother you again?”

Janine shook her head. “No. Thankfully, he didn’t approach me,” she lied, and she felt her conscience kicking in. “He’s busy with his new girl.”

“That’s good news, isn’t it?” Adelle narrowed her eyes at her. “But why do you look as if you’re affected?”

Janine opened the can of lemonade and leaned on the couch. “Paulo said something to me…” she started. “He—”

“He likes you,” Adelle finished her sentence as if she already knew about for a long time ago. “Any news?” she joked and laughed. “So, what did you say? Don’t tell me you refused him without giving him a chance?”

“No, I wasn’t able to answer him because Ken barged in and tried to interrupt us,” she said with a shake of her head. “It was so awkward!”

Adelle leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “Oh, this is getting juicier by the minute! You must have been caught in the middle of a whirlwind.”

Janine sighed in frustration. “You have no idea, Adelle. It’s like the universe conspired to throw me into a chaotic drama. I can’t believe the absurdity of it all.”

Just as they were about to delve further into their analysis of Janine’s love life, her phone rang, startling them. Janine glanced at the screen and knotted her forehead at who was calling.

“It’s my landlady,” she murmured, her voice tinged with nervousness. “Maybe I’ve got a package.”

“Why would you leave your house if you’ve got parcels on the way?” Adelle asked, laughing. “Go answer it now. Maybe it’s a COD.”

Janine swiped the call and quickly put the phone on her ear. The crease in her forehead deepened after a few moments of speaking on the phone. She turned to Adelle with a knotted forehead when she ended the call.

“What? Is it a scam package?” Adelle asked, her eyes glued on the TV hung on her wall. “I told you to destroy your waybills—”

“She said there’s…a handsome man looking for me at my house,” Janine said hesitantly. “I’m not expecting any visitors; maybe it’s a scammer—”

“Maybe it’s Paulo,” Adelle cut in, narrowing her eyes at her with a naughty grin. “He fits the description…” She trailed off as if realizing something. “What if it’s Ken? Omg, Janine, you can’t go home! It could be another round of drama!”

Janine hesitated, torn between curiosity and caution. “I know it might be a bad idea, but I must see who it is. My landlady will keep calling me, and she might spread rumors if I don’t face my visitor.”

Adelle sighed, shaking her head in amusement. “You and your adventurous spirit. Just promise me you’ll be careful, okay? Don’t let him drag you into any more chaos.”

As Janine prepared to leave Adelle’s apartment, her mind raced with thoughts of the unpredictable encounters she had faced that day. She couldn’t help but wonder what awaited her back home and how it would further complicate her already topsy-turvy day.