Jacqueline strolled through the aquarium. This place was truly immense, and Jacqueline saw strange fishes she had never seen before. As she reached the area of the Kuroshio current, Jacqueline marveled at the sight of large whale sharks. She stopped to admire these giant sea creatures.
"They're whale sharks," Benjamin, who always accompanied her, said.
"They're huge!" Jacqueline exclaimed. She noticed the smaller fish swimming alongside the whale sharks.
"The smaller fish! Aren't they afraid of being preyed upon by the giants?" Jacqueline wondered.
"They're pilot fish. And it's actually a symbiotic relationship. The whale sharks protect them from other carnivorous animals. In return, they eat parasites off the whale sharks," Benjamin explained.
"It's truly miraculous, how the giants can peacefully coexist with the tiny fish," Jacqueline said, her eyes still fixed on the pilot fish.
Just like she and a mafia don could coexist peacefully, Jacqueline looked at Benjamin and thought. He was like a big whale shark, while she was just a small fish. He indirectly helped her father get good treatment. She comforted him during Jasmine's escape.
Previously, Jacqueline always believed their relationship was a hostile one. They would live together as enemies.
Benjamin noticed her gaze, kissed her forehead and smiled as he saw her cheeks turning red.
By the time she left the aquarium, it was already afternoon.
"If you're hungry, I can ask the chef to serve us right here," Benjamin said, handing her an umbrella.
"What if not?" Jacqueline asked curiously.
"According to the plan, we'll have lunch at a sea-front restaurant," Benjamin walked closely beside her, wanting to share the umbrella with her. "But it will take a while to get there."
"I can wait," Jacqueline said, and Benjamin heard the excitement in her voice.
He smiled gently, "Alright, as you wish."
Sitting in the car, Jacqueline remembered her thoughts when she arrived at the Kuroshio current area. Now she thought differently. Jacqueline's thoughts back then were foolish.
Their relationship was never truly symbiotic because she had deceived Benjamin from the start. He always believed she was Jasmine and treated her sincerely, but she took advantage of him.
Jacqueline had underestimated Madam Claire's danger to Benjamin when she received her mission. She couldn't deny that truth. And when she left, Benjamin's life could collapse.
Jacqueline looked at Benjamin, the man sitting beside her. The guilt grew stronger in her heart.
She wondered if there was any way to keep Benjamin safe after she left.
Benjamin handed her a glass of water when he noticed her gaze, "Thirsty?"
Jacqueline, feeling flustered, took the glass from him, "Thank you."
Benjamin took a mango from the mini fridge, peeling it for her, "First, have some mango slices to soothe your empty stomach."
Using a fork, Benjamin picked up a square-cut mango slice and brought it close to her mouth. Realizing Benjamin wanted to feed her, Jacqueline became even more embarrassed, "I can do it myself."
She took the fork from Benjamin. He leaned back in his seat, "Why are you embarrassed when I take care of you like this?"
Because I'm used to doing it myself, Jacqueline thought but dared not say because it wasn't something Jasmine would say.
"Jane, I'm your fiancé. Our relationship is romantic. It's natural for me to take care of you," Benjamin planted a kiss on her forehead. This was the second kiss of the day. Benjamin had become accustomed to giving her kisses since last night.
Benjamin's words enlightened Jacqueline. She not only had to impersonate Jasmine but also had to fulfill the role of 'Benjamin's fiancée.'
The car stopped along the road.
"Stay in the car until I come back," Benjamin gave her the third kiss of the day on her hand before he got out and walked into a large house.
Not knowing what to do, Jacqueline gazed out the car window. On a distant bench, she saw a couple exchanging kisses. They held hands, talked, and smiled. Jacqueline sensed the happiness on their faces.
Her relationship with Benjamin was not like that. She was afraid and embarrassed by any intimate gestures from Benjamin, and she didn't care for him as a fiancée should.
Their current relationship was not romantic at all. She wondered if Benjamin was suspecting her.
"No, it's more likely that he's suspecting me," Jacqueline thought.
But if it was true, why did he still treat her as Jasmine? Could it be... Benjamin had another plan for her. Jacqueline shivered at the thought of the punishment she would endure when he pulled the rug out. And who would take care of her father?
Jacqueline shook her head, trying not to delve into negative thoughts. She needed to contact Madam Claire; she needed her guidance now.
Someone tapped on the car window, interrupting her thoughts. Jacqueline looked out the window. A well-dressed man smiled as he caught her gaze.
The car window was lowered.
"May I help you?" Jacqueline asked.
"Good afternoon, miss. I've lost my phone and got lost. Could you lend me your phone? I need to call my girlfriend," The man said sincerely.
It was someone in need of help, Jacqueline thought.
She handed her phone to the man. But before the man could make any calls, Samuel appeared outside and offered him his phone.
"Please don't bother my Lady. Use my phone," Samuel said sternly. The man had no reason to refuse.
As Jacqueline received her phone back, she heard Samuel's stern voice, "Roll up the car window. Don't let strangers approach our Lady."
The driver made a few confused sounds, then the car window was rolled up.
Jacqueline still observed the man outside. He left immediately after finishing his call.
When Benjamin returned, Jacqueline noticed his eyes flickering towards the chauffeur, assessing.
"Sorry for making you wait long," Benjamin said.
"It's okay, you have your work," Jacqueline shrugged.
Benjamin looked at her meaningfully, "Are you mad at me?"
"No, I..." she hastily explained as Benjamin misunderstood her.
But Benjamin had already taken her hand and kissed it. He gently reassured her, "I'm sorry, I promise to spend the rest of today entirely with you."
Jacqueline felt embarrassed, avoiding Benjamin's gentle gaze. She didn't know how to react to him. It was the first time someone had been so gentle with her.