Clarisse glanced up at Jonathan, who was standing at the door next door, full of sarcasm. She lowered her head and continued walking into the house. Fadrique's sacrifice for BALAS made her very sad, so sad that she didn't have the energy to deal with Jonathan's cold sneers.
Her indifferent attitude made Jonathan's pent-up anger explode, "Clarisse!"
"What is it, Jonathan? Do you need something from me?" Clarisse looked up at him, forcing herself to ask what was wrong. Why did he look so angry? She hadn't offended him, had she?
"NOTHING!" Jonathan gritted his teeth and spat out the word before turning back into the house. He had been waiting there to ask for her phone number. Since Cesar Rollin Balas had entrusted her to him, he should take good care of her, right? But seeing her so reluctant to part with Fadrique and so indifferent to him now, he lost all his motivation.
Since Fadrique's wedding was just decided, he had informed Clarisse first. Cesar Rollin Balas and Jonathan were still unaware, so Jonathan didn't understand why Clarisse was so reluctant and sad after seeing Fadrique.
Clarisse also didn't understand his inexplicable anger. Since he always treated her like this, she had gotten used to it. She lowered her head and went into the house.
Fadrique's situation left Clarisse in a prolonged state of sadness, but fortunately, Farah was there to console her. Farah even went to find out about the girl. She told Clarisse that the girl was gentle and very obedient to Fadrique and would definitely be good to him in the future. Clarisse's mood improved slightly. One weekend, Farah said she wanted to eat dumplings. Since they were both from LA, they missed LA's food. Clarisse had nothing to do on the weekend, so she agreed to make them.
Later, she remembered that she hadn't thanked Jonathan for dealing with that boy. So, she decided to set aside a plate of dumplings to give to him when he returned. Farah adamantly opposed it, "His mouth is so venomous, it's a waste to give it to him!"
Farah was Clarisse's close friend, and Clarisse told her everything, so Farah knew all about Jonathan's venomous words. Clarisse gently persuaded her, "Farah, don't be like that. After all, he did help me last time."
Before Farah could respond, they heard the sound of a car engine outside. Clarisse immediately ran out with the plate of dumplings, making Farah furious.
Clarisse walked out with the dumplings just as Jonathan was getting out of his car. She approached him with a shy smile, "Jonathan, thank you for dealing with that boy last time. I made these dumplings. Please try them—"
She hadn't finished her sentence when she froze because she saw a glamorous, cold woman get out from the passenger side. The woman walked over and clung to Jonathan, asking sweetly, "Joe, who is this little girl?"
Jonathan looked at the hurt expression on Clarisse's face and replied expressionlessly, "My sister."
For some reason, seeing her wounded expression made his pent-up anger dissipate.
The woman laughed and said, "Oh? Your sister is really good to you. These dumplings look delicious. Should we take them back to eat?"
Jonathan raised an eyebrow, glancing at the still-frozen Clarisse. He leaned in close to the woman and said suggestively, "Baby, I don't want to eat dumplings right now. I want... to eat you."
The woman immediately burst into laughter, "Oh, Joe, you're so bad!"
"Sorry to bother you!" The intimate scene was too much for Clarisse. She finally snapped out of it, turned around, and quickly ran back with the plate.
Farah, who had seen the hurtful scene from inside the house, immediately scolded Clarisse as soon as she walked back in.
"See that? You tried to warm someone who gives you the cold shoulder! Why are you so stubborn? You're driving me crazy!"
Clarisse smiled self-deprecatingly.
"Farah, it's not his fault. He just doesn't love me. The mistake is mine. I shouldn't have fallen for him over and over again."
Farah was nearly furious with her and left a harsh warning.
"Clarisse, if you insist on being with him, I won't give you my blessing!"
With that, Farah went to her room, leaving Clarisse alone on the couch, feeling extremely downcast. She remembered a line she had read before: "All your reckless efforts and sacrifices are futile in the eyes of someone who doesn't love you, but you're willing." That line perfectly described her current state of mind.
How did it come to this? How did she plunge into such a hopeless love? What exactly did she love about him? Was it his sculpted, handsome features that seemed like an art piece? Or his unique charm that set him apart from other men? Was it the pride, indifference, ease, or arrogance in his expression? Or was it the occasional tenderness in his eyes?
She racked her brain but couldn't figure it out. After that, she started avoiding him again. Sometimes she felt she didn't love him as much as she thought. Every time he hurt her, she would shrink back like an ostrich instead of facing the challenge head-on.
One day, the weather was terrible, with dark clouds looming, signaling a heavy storm. With no classes in the afternoon, Clarisse left school early and headed home. As she neared the house, a loud horn blared behind her. Startled, she jumped aside and saw his car swerving wildly before stopping in front of his house. She wondered if he had been drinking to drive like that.
Her worries intensified when he got out of the car. Even from a distance, she could see his pale face and vacant eyes. Alarmed, she saw him stumble a few steps before almost falling. She rushed over to support him.
"Jonathan, why do you look so pale? What happened?"
Jonathan steadied himself, glanced at her worried face, and a trace of irritation flashed across his brow. He shook off her hand, pursed his lips, and continued towards the house without a word. Unconvinced, she followed him closely, sensing something was seriously wrong. She had felt him trembling when she supported him.
Jonathan stood at the door, trying to unlock it, but his hands were shaking uncontrollably. The thought of the hands that were meant to save lives having just killed someone made his heart ache and filled him with anxiety.
He had gone out on a mission with Cesar Rollin Balas when a group tried to ambush them. In the ensuing fight, someone had strangled him to the point of suffocation, forcing him to draw his gun. He knew that taking over BALAS was a one-way street, but the reality of taking a life filled him with terror and guilt.
Clarisse, seeing his struggle, took the keys from him and opened the door. Standing at the threshold, he tried to suppress his emotions and said coldly,
"I'm fine. You can leave now!"
She was too worried to leave him in this state.
"Jonathan, what's wrong with you? I'm really worried!"
"Go away! I told you I don't need you!"
He suddenly shouted violently. Startled, she bit her lip and stood still. He then roughly pulled her into his arms.
"You won't leave, huh? Then stay and do something fun with me!"
With that, he lowered his head and kissed her lips, his eyes bloodshot.