In the distance, the woman who so closely resembled Sherry captured all of Jaden's attention. Just a little more movement, or if the woman took a few more steps, he'd be able to clearly see her face.
But at that moment, a figure suddenly stepped in front of him, accompanied by the faint fragrance of a woman's perfume.
"What are you looking at?" Jenny asked curiously.
"I…" Jaden was taken aback. Jenny had inadvertently blocked his line of sight. To get another look at the distant woman, he'd have to reposition himself.
But doing so would undoubtedly draw Jenny's attention to his odd behavior.
Just one more glance - and the perfect angle was gone. Frustrated but unwilling to show it, Jaden masked his irritation and coldly asked Jenny, "What? Are you alone? Where's your man?"
"Look at you, so icy. What's this? Jealous?" Jenny teased, studying his face with a sly grin.
"Jealous? Why would I be jealous?" Jaden retorted indifferently.
"Oh, come on. Don't deny it. Look at you - sulking, upset. Aren't you curious about my relationship with him?" Jenny's tone was light, almost coaxing, as she watched Jaden.
Jaden was indeed annoyed, but it had nothing to do with what Jenny thought. He was irritated that she had obstructed his view.
"No, I'm not curious, nor do I want to know. And if you're with him, why are you coming to me?" Jaden said, maintaining his pretense.
"He left already. Before he left, he even told me to take good care of you," Jenny replied with a laugh.
"So?" Jaden pressed, his face still impassive.
"No particular reason… I just want you to know he's not my boyfriend." Jenny hesitated for a moment, a faint look of vulnerability in her eyes.
"Not your boyfriend? Why tell me this?" Jaden asked, his tone puzzled.
"Well, it's a bit complicated. I'm with him to repay a debt of gratitude. Let me tell you a story…" Jenny seemed melancholy as she began to recount a melodramatic tale.
The gist of it was that Jenny's family had fallen on hard times, and she couldn't even afford her education. A man stepped in, supporting her both financially and emotionally.
After graduating, Jenny decided to be with this man as a way of repaying his kindness.
"A story of loyalty and gratitude," Jaden commented flatly after hearing it. If he didn't already know some truths, he might have been fooled by her pitiful demeanor.
"Do you think I'm not a good woman?" Jenny asked, locking eyes with Jaden.
"No. Everyone has their own perspective. The woman in the story didn't do anything wrong; gratitude is a virtue, after all," Jaden replied, shaking his head.
"Then do you think the woman in the story still has the right to pursue her own happiness?" Jenny asked, her gaze hopeful.
"Everyone has the right to seek happiness. I hold no other opinion about you - or the woman in the story," Jaden said solemnly.
"Really?" Jenny asked, delighted.
"Really," Jaden affirmed with a serious nod.
"Well, actually, that was just a story. In reality, the man from earlier is married. He wants to be with me." Jenny's sudden shift in narrative left Jaden visibly surprised.
He hadn't expected Jenny to be so blunt.
"So, you're a mistress?" Jaden asked, his tone tinged with disbelief.
"You could put it that way. I won't deny it, but it's not what I want. I want to end it, but he keeps saying he'll divorce his wife and marry me. I know his wife hates me, but I don't want this either…" Jenny nodded as she spoke, her voice conflicted.
"Well… I don't know what to say," Jaden replied, falling silent.
He couldn't decipher why Jenny was telling him all this. Could she have figured out his true identity?
With her stories shifting so drastically, Jaden had no idea how much truth there was in her words. At this point, it was best to say as little as possible to avoid exposing himself.
"It's fine. You don't have to say anything. I just think you're different. Unlike the other men I know, who only think about getting me into bed the moment they see me, you seem entirely uninterested," Jenny remarked, taking a sip of wine - without caring that the glass was Jaden's.
"Maybe. I just don't act on impulse and know how to control myself," Jaden answered calmly.
"Ha! That makes it sound like I'm the impulsive one. So, now that you know I'm the 'other woman,' will you still keep in touch with me?" Jenny asked, her laugh light and playful.
"I don't see why this should prevent us from interacting or staying in touch," Jaden countered.
"Good. Your reaction just now pleased me. According to our agreement, I should reward you. What do you want? Maybe I'll grant your wish," Jenny said, her eyes glinting mischievously as she looked at him.
"I don't really want anything. I stayed quiet because I didn't want to interfere with someone else's relationship. If you insist on giving me something, just answer one question for me," Jaden replied cautiously, masking his unease at Jenny's openness.
"A question? Fine, ask away. But I might not answer. Or maybe you'd prefer a more practical reward," Jenny said with a sly smile, her foot lightly brushing against his leg under the table.
Jaden could clearly sense the flirtation in her actions, inwardly cursing her as a vixen. If not for his mission, he would have stayed far away from someone like her.
Marrying a woman like this, he thought, would be a surefire way to end up being cheated.
"Why are you telling me all this?" Jaden asked, his expression serious.
Jenny froze at the question. Her playful demeanor faded as she bit her lip. After a brief silence, she answered earnestly, "You might not believe me, but I think I might really like you."
"Like me? We've only known each other for two days. That's not a very funny joke," Jaden said, stunned. Awkwardly, he picked up some food from the table to hide his discomfort.
"I'm not joking. Maybe you think I'm shameless, but I want to fight for my happiness. I only make the first move when I really like someone. When I give my heart to someone, I rein in all my faults, and all of me belongs solely to that man," Jenny said, her tone unexpectedly serious, as if she were a noblewoman swearing to pursue love with unwavering determination.