With the beauty in his arms, passionately responding to him, Jaden found no room for enjoyment. His heart was filled with tension, and he dared not look back, relying only on his ears to gauge the situation behind him.
The footsteps grew closer and closer, clearly stopping just behind him. Jaden silently begged, *Keep walking, don't stop! Please, just don't stop!*
Yet it seemed the heavens were deaf to his prayers. The footsteps ceased after another step.
Jaden's heart sank. *They stopped? Why? Did Sherry recognize me?*
His mind raced with guesses, but he dared not make a single unnecessary move. Jenny, however, opened her eyes slightly, glanced at the couple standing before them, and let out a sly smile. She seemed to understand why this man had suddenly become so "passionate," but she didn't mind and continued holding his head, returning his kiss.
"Excuse me, sir…" Sherry's voice suddenly called out.
Jaden's heart nearly stopped. *How could it be! Did she really recognize me? Why is she addressing me?*
He didn't respond, pretending not to hear as he continued kissing Jenny.
"Excuse me, sir…" Sherry repeated.
This time, Jenny heard her. She opened her eyes and glanced at Sherry with a playful expression.
"Let's go. Don't disturb them; can't you see they're busy?" the man accompanying Sherry interjected impatiently.
Sherry hesitated but finally added, "Sir, you dropped your phone. Sorry to bother you."
Relief washed over Jaden like a tidal wave. *So that's it! She didn't recognize me after all.* The phone had fallen to the ground unnoticed, pressed out by how closely Jenny had been leaning on him. The phone had nearly given him away.
Still, Jaden didn't dare turn around. Instead, he lowered his voice and responded with forced impatience, "Got it. Thanks!"
"Come on now, don't waste time on him. He's clearly enjoying," Sherry's companion grumbled again, urging her forward.
Finally, Jaden heard the glorious sound of footsteps moving away.
To be safe, he continued kissing Jenny for a while longer, using his peripheral vision to confirm that Sherry had indeed left. Only then did he pull away from Jenny.
Spotting his phone on the ground, Jaden frowned as he bent down to pick it up. Turning to Jenny, he offered an apologetic smile.
"So, is that it? You used me and now you're done with me?" Jenny teased, sitting on the stone bench with a playful smirk.
"I'm sorry. I didn't have any other choice," Jaden said apologetically.
"Oh? For a moment there, I thought you'd finally come to your senses and decided to kiss me for real. Turns out it was just an act. I'm deeply wounded!" Jenny pouted with mock grievance.
"I'm sorry. You know I couldn't let her recognize me," Jaden explained, reverting to his well-practiced excuse.
"Fine, I'll let it slide. But the way you reacted so nervously really makes me question your relationship with her. Don't you think you overreact a little?" Jenny asked with a hint of suspicion.
"Did I? Maybe it was just instinct - like when you're reading a novel in class and instinctively hide it when the teacher comes by," Jaden replied, a few beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He was relieved Jenny didn't seem intent on pressing the issue further.
Jenny chuckled. "I see. You must've been a good student back in the day. Still, how are you going to thank me? I sacrificed a lot to help you, you know."
"Uh… how about I treat you to dinner?" Jaden offered, still a bit uneasy but beginning to relax.
"Hmph, as if a meal could make up for it. I put my heart into that kiss, and you were just using me," Jenny said with exaggerated indignation.
"Well… then what do you suggest? I'll do whatever you say," Jaden said, feeling a bit at a loss. Despite taking a psychology course in college, he still found himself out of his depth when dealing with women.
"Hmm… let me think…" Jenny tilted her head as if deep in thought. Suddenly, a mischievous smile lit up her face. "Got it! Let's say you owe me a favor. I'll let you know what it is later. Deal?"
"A favor? Isn't that a bit much? If I agree, I'll have to do whatever you ask!" Jaden exclaimed.
"Not necessarily. I'll propose my request, and it's up to you to decide whether to agree. But a man's word is his bond, right? Don't worry; I won't ask for anything unreasonable. So, do we have a deal?" Jenny said with an expectant look.
"Alright, I'll agree - but only on the condition that it's not too outrageous, illegal, or immoral. Fair?" Jaden nodded seriously.
"Your rules are so strict! Fine, let's seal it with a pinky promise," Jenny said, holding out her pinky.
"A pinky promise? Are we kids?" Jaden scoffed.
"Just do it! It's the only way I'll believe you," Jenny insisted with a pout.
"Alright, alright…" Jaden relented, hooking his pinky around hers.
"Pinky promise, no take-backs!" Jenny chanted, grinning brightly afterward.
"Happy now? Shall we go see a movie?" Jaden suggested with a smile.
"Sure. But let me ask you something - are you really inexperienced with women? Or… are you still a virgin?" Jenny teased with a sly grin.
"Why would you ask that?" Jaden stammered, caught off guard.
"Well, your kissing earlier was so clumsy. It felt like it was your first time. Don't tell me it was your first kiss?" Jenny's eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Of course not! Like you said, I wasn't even kissing you seriously," Jaden retorted, his face flushing.
Though he hadn't been intentional with his kiss, it was true that his past kisses with Sherry had been just as awkward. Sherry had never commented on it, but Jenny's remark stung like a jab at his masculinity.
"Really? Then how about a proper kiss now? Consider it compensation for my broken heart," Jenny challenged with a playful smile.
"Let's not, okay? Besides, didn't I already agree to a favor? Isn't that enough?" Jaden deflected.
"You're unbelievable! I'm such a gorgeous, and you're refusing my kiss? You're even making it about conditions! Anyway, the favor is for your thanks. A kiss is to heal my wounded heart. They're different, get it?" Jenny huffed.
"Well… uh… maybe we could find a more private spot for that?" Jaden suggested sheepishly.