Jack who felt guilty finally chased after Anne. After looking for her for almost 5 minutes, Jack finally saw Anne sitting with an old woman on a park bench. Without thinking, he immediately pulled Anne's hand forcibly and took her away from the old lady.
Anne repeatedly asked to be released by Jack, but Jack did not pay attention to Anne's request. He continued to ask Anne to walk to a basketball court not far from the apartment where Jack usually spent his time after work, playing basketball with students from around the area.
"Where are you taking me, Jack? My hand hurts," said Anne in a rising voice as she continued to try to release Jack's grip from her right hand, which already looked red.
"Jack, let go of my hand. It hurts Jack!!!" screamed Anne. She was annoyed that Jack did not pay attention to everything she said.
Hearing Anne's scream, immediately made Jack let go of her hand. His wry smile appeared when he saw Anne's hand that turned red due to his actions.
"I'm sorry," Jack said softly without expression.
"You are a man. Women are not as strong as men, you know. You should understand that, Jack," said Anne curtly as she massaged her right hand that hurt.
"That's not it. I didn't mean to hurt you. I didn't mean to insult you. I just slipped out of my mouth because I was annoyed when you threw away my cigarette," Jack said trying to explain what he meant.
Anne was silent to hear Jack's words for a while. After 1.5 years of knowing Jack, this was the first time she heard Jack apologize.
"Never mind, it's not a big deal. What you said earlier was not what I used to receive. So don't think about it, I'm okay. No problem," said Anne softly, smiling broadly so that her white teeth were clearly visible.
"Okay, I want to go home now. I'm so tired today. Thank you for the hard work, Jack. See you tomorrow," said Anne quietly.
Anne turned around and walked away from the basketball court where Jack was still standing without speaking. All he did was stare at Anne without blinking until finally, Anne was completely out of sight.
After Anne left, Jack chose to play basketball alone, he wanted to spend his energy in that place before returning to his apartment.
With unsteady steps, Anne went home to her apartment holding her right hand which hurt. Anne couldn't believe it when she heard Jack apologize to her. Because all this time she knew very well that someone like Jack would never say sorry.
Almost all the words that came out of Jack's mouth would hurt anyone who heard them, and it was not a big problem for Anne. But earlier, she was surprised when Jack brought up her painful past. So far, only Jack knew about her past life.
"Maybe I was the one who went too far because I acted insolently to him that he finally snapped. Or, maybe he was having a problem with his girlfriend. Mmm or .... ah never mind that. It's not a big deal, "said Anne quietly to herself.
She then quickened her footsteps towards the apartment that was already in sight. Anne wanted to soak in the small bathtub in her apartment because her whole body felt uncomfortable after working from the morning.
When Anne entered her apartment building, Jack came out from behind the building. Apparently, he had followed Anne's steps from behind. This was the first time Jack felt sorry for talking harshly to Anne. He felt very guilty when he saw the expression on Anne's face when he snapped earlier.
Jack stood in front of Anne's apartment for nearly two hours. He stared at Anne's room from under the unlit garden light. From where he stood, Jack could see what Anne was doing in her room because Anne let her window open wide.
Jack only left Anne's residence after his cellphone kept vibrating. He had to get to the apartment immediately to finish his other work, the main job he never told Anne.
***
Meanwhile, in his hotel room, Aaron looked uneasy after remembering what he had seen in the park. His heart was immediately confused when he saw the girl he wanted to get to know was being dragged by another man.
"They can't be lovers,"
"If he is her boyfriend, he couldn't possibly treat her like that. Moreover, to drag her in public like that. Tsk…"
"Damnit! Why do I have to think about them both? It's none of my business," screamed Aaron irritably. So many questions passing through his brain.
When he was about to close his eyes, suddenly Aaron sat up on the bed. He just remembered a man he had known before.
"Why did the guy look like him? But isn't he .... well, it can't be that man," Aaron muttered to himself while remembering an arrogant and overbearing man he had known several years ago.