Jennifer's expression turned grim as she yelled, "Veronica, What is your problem?".
"Oh, my God! Jenni, You are yelling at me" Veronica's expression turned more sullen when she saw how Jennifer didn't slide it off.
"This is not funny!" Jennifer shot her a warning look.
"Jennifer Shore!"
Kelvin's tone was not at all stern, but he was essentially telling Jennifer off.
Veronica folded her arms across her chest and glared at Jennifer. "Stop being dramatic, Jenni. I can't understand you.....Why did you hang out with a country bumpkin like Sasha?. You are breaking my heart. Open your eyes! She only takes advantage of you" Veronica breathed out in exasperation.
"What?." Jennifer was stunned as she could not believe what she had heard.
Veronica scoff and continued mocking, "Why does a person like Sasha who has no experience get a position in PKs?".
"You…" Jennifer stammered with a frown, too angry to form a coherent sentence.
A pin-drop silence ensued.
Jennifer wore a dark expression as she bellowed, "The Sasha I know comes from a poor family but she's an independent girl. She never asks people to help and she never shows her weakness". Jennifer was now tightly clenching her fists.
"Hey... " The moment Veronica open her mouth, someone kicked the leg of a chair and fall backwards.
Veronica tucked her head in when Ryan shot daggers at her.
Jennifer vented her anger by wearing a triumphant expression as she walked past Veronica.
"Jenni... " Veronica ran after her but she didn't expect Jennifer to faint the moment she touched her.
-------
By the time Jennifer woke up, it was nightfall.
"You're awake." Veronica's voice was hoarse. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine." Jennifer held onto the blanket. She could feel that she had gotten much better, and her head did not feel as dizzy.
Instantly, Veronica burst into tears and flung her arms around Jennifer.
"I'm so sorry, Jenni. It was all my fault—"
"I'm fine. It wasn't your fault" Jennifer hug back.
"The doctor said that you fainted as you were too agitated, and your emotions fluctuated too much. You'll be fine after resting a night." James's voice sounded detached.
"Jennifer, are you alright?"
Just then, Sasha, who had received the news, had rushed to the room and she looked very worried.
Shaking her head, Jennifer answered, "I'm alright now."
With a smile, Veronica stroked her head. "Take care". She swiftly glanced at Sasha before she walked out.
"You scared me, Jennifer" Sasha breathed a sigh of relief.
When Jennifer heard that, her face turned pale, and she pleaded with tears in her eyes "Veronica tends to speak her speech without thinking much. Please don't mind her, okay?"
"What are you saying? There is nothing like that". Sasha said soothingly as she sat down gently.
The look on Jennifer's face changed after she heard that, and she gave her a guilty look. "Sasha, I am sorry... "
At that point, James suddenly interjected. "Do you want me to get out?."
"Yes. Please!" Jennifer could not help but chuckle. "Ryan!" Jennifer noticed Ryan holding onto the door frame.
"Are you alright?" Ryan asked as he came inside the room.
"Yes. I am fine". Jennifer replied as she sat up in bed. "Ryan, Can you please do me a favour?. Will you mind sending Sasha home for me?." Jennifer added.
"He is busy. I will send her home". James quickly chimed in. James was slightly impatient as he voiced out, "Come on! Sasha, Let's go".
------
Ryan had just arrived home and immediately went into his room. There was a cold look on his face as he took a shower and changed his clothes.
He walked towards the nightstand and poured some wine into the glass. He sipped the wine and blankly looked into the glass.
SIX YEARS BACK...
"Kill him now. If his men arrived, we wouldn't be able to take him out any longer".
Ryan was barely alive when he heard the leader's order. He immediately pulled himself together. He can't die here.
He was swinging and slowly dragging his feet. Suddenly, he slammed into her shoulder and fell to the ground.
"Oh my Gosh! What the...."
Rattled, the lady looked down at him.
"Ouch...!" His one hand was pressed against his bleeding abdomen.
The lady quickly squatted and asked, "Are you alright?".
Ryan could barely open his eyes, his face pale due to excessive blood loss. He frowned and shook his head, "Some people are chasing after me..."
"Wait...Ryan Shore!." Her pupils immediately contracted when she saw the large pool of blood on the ground. The moment she reached out to check him, a hand grabbed onto hers instead.
"Who are....you?." His voice was almost a whisper, but the grip around her wrist was firm.
"I am Sasha Jones. Jennifer's friend." With her shivering hands she took out a white handkerchief from her pocket and helped put pressure on his bleeding abdomen.
At that moment, they heard some rushing footsteps, alongside a man's low voice. "Hurry! We must get rid of him today!"
"Oh my God..." The lady panicked. She bit her lips, and with great effort, moved him into the bush by the side of the road.