Jaden hurried after Jenny, chasing her all the way to her room, only for the door to slam in his face. She had no intention of making this easy for him.
Instinctively, Jaden raised his hand to knock, already crafting an excuse to placate her and salvage the mission. But just as his fist hovered near the door, he paused.
His thoughts spun.
*Why am I groveling? This reaction of hers seems overly dramatic. We're not even in a serious relationship. A man looking at another woman - what's the big deal?*
Jaden reconsidered his approach. Chasing her down so desperately, especially still in his swimwear, felt undignified and out of character. The persona he had been cultivating - a reserved, slow-to-warm man - wouldn't act this way. Besides, it was Jenny who had expressed interest in finding a reliable partner, not the other way around.
*If I keep my distance, she might value me more. A little mystery might actually strengthen her interest.*
Jaden withdrew his hand and walked calmly back to his own room to change. He suspected Jenny's outburst was a test of sorts - an attempt to gauge her importance in his life by feigning jealousy.
That realization didn't mean he could entirely ignore her, though. Necessary apologies and reassurances still had their place.
After changing, Jaden went to the resort's concierge desk, where money could buy nearly any service. Reluctantly, he swiped his card, spending 2,000 yuan on a lavish bouquet of 99 pink roses. It stung, but he reasoned it was a worthwhile investment.
He composed a carefully worded note on an elegant card, his handwriting bold and precise, reflecting both thoughtfulness and integrity:
> "Dear Jenny,
> I'm sorry for upsetting you. I realize how disrespectful it must have seemed to look at another woman while you were with me. But I want to explain.
> The truth is, I found that woman familiar - not attractive. She resembles the partner of one of my big clients. If it was indeed her, failing to acknowledge her would have been unprofessional and could harm my business. I wasn't sure if she recognized me, which is why I looked a little longer than usual.
> I regret that this misunderstanding hurt you. Please accept these 99 roses as a token of my apology and my sincere feelings.
> If you're willing to forgive me, I'd be honored to share dinner with you tonight at 7 PM."
Satisfied that the note was flawless, Jaden placed it within the bouquet. He left the flowers at Jenny's door, knocked three times, and retreated to his room. This indirect approach minimized awkwardness while ensuring his message was delivered.
Inside her room, Jenny had been sulking, but the knock at the door piqued her curiosity. When she opened it and saw the empty hallway, her frustration grew - until her eyes fell on the bouquet of roses at her feet.
Her irritation melted into delight as she knelt to pick up the flowers, retrieving the note inside. As she read it, a smile spread across her face, her previous bitterness replaced by a soft warmth. She glanced at Jaden's closed door, her eyes sparkling with a renewed sense of anticipation.
After a moment of thought, she giggled to herself and retreated into her room, roses in hand.
Jaden, who had left his door slightly ajar, waited until he heard her door close. Then he slipped out, retrieving a hidden phone from a flower planter nearby. Ensuring no one was watching, he hurried back to his room.
He played back the footage on his phone, capturing Jenny's every reaction - the way her face lit up, her smile, her lingering gaze at his door. Seeing her pleasure reassured him that his plan had worked, though his thoughts remained elsewhere.
*Why is Sherry here?*
Jaden's unease about Sherry gnawed at him. Unable to suppress it any longer, he decided to call her again.
The phone rang several times before she answered, her voice cheerful.
"Hi, darling. Have you eaten?"
"Yes, I have. How about you? Are you behaving yourself at home?" she teased playfully.
"Of course I am," Jaden said, keeping his tone light. "But I miss you. When are you coming back?"
"Soon - just two or three more days. Do you want me to bring you a gift?" Sherry replied, her tone carefree.
"No need. By the way, you never told me where this trip is. What kind of work are you doing?" Jaden asked, feigning casual curiosity.
Sherry chuckled. "What's this? Are you worried about me, or are you interrogating me? Don't you trust me?"
"Of course I trust you," Jaden said smoothly. "I'm just concerned about your safety. I read online that some places aren't very safe these days."
"Don't worry, it's perfectly safe here," Sherry assured him. "Besides, I have colleagues with me. We're almost done, and I'll be back soon."
"Can't you just tell me where you are? It would put my mind at ease," Jaden pressed.
"Nope, I'm keeping it a secret," Sherry said with a playful laugh. "It's been a pretty relaxing trip - great accommodations and everything. Oh, Emily's calling me to get back to the pool. Talk later, love!"
Before Jaden could respond, the call ended.
Her evasiveness only deepened his suspicions. *Who exactly is she with?*