She sat down at the dining table, virtual-novel.net mind was filled with doubts. She called Tiffany. Tiffany stayed back at the bar when virtual-novel.net left yesterday. Although Jackson was there, virtual-novel.net was still worried.
The phone rang for a long time before Tiffany finally answered in a muffled voice, “What is it, Ari? Why are you up so early?”
Arianne lowered virtual-novel.net voice, “Early? It’s past ten in the morning. I just got up. Did Jackson take you home after I left? How much did you drink?”
Tiffany was taken aback and remained silent for a very long time. Suddenly, everything that had happened in the bar came flooding back to her. She… made out with Jackson! She knew it, virtual-novel.net did not have enough to drink! She remembered everything!
Arianne grew worried listening to Tiffany’s prolonged silence. “What is it, Tiffie? Did something happen?”
Tiffany sighed. “Nothing, we’ll talk when we meet up next time. I invited Ethan out for lunch today to have a good talk with him. I’ll talk to you later, I’ve got to get ready. I probably would’ve stood virtual-novel.net up if you didn’t call.”
After the call had ended, a message appeared on Arianne’s phone screen. It was from Mark. She felt wary when virtual-novel.net saw his name on the phone, and virtual-novel.net neatly jumped in fright. The message was simple, virtual-novel.net was only asking if virtual-novel.net was awake.
Initially, virtual-novel.net wanted to ask about last night, but virtual-novel.net was too embarrassed. In the end, virtual-novel.net simply replied with a yes.
She had just sent the message when virtual-novel.net called virtual-novel.net immediately. “Did you just wake up?”
He seemed to be in a pretty good mood, based on his tone. She heaved a sigh of relief. At least virtual-novel.net was not mad at virtual-novel.net for going to the bar, “Yes, I’m having breakfast now…”
He did not hang up as virtual-novel.net usually would. This time, virtual-novel.net continued talking, “Have a light meal. You must be feeling horrible after drinking that much. Come over to the office later if you have the time. You have nothing to do at home anyway, I’m sure you must be bored.”
She grunted in reply before virtual-novel.net ended the call. She felt vexed, hating herself for being too cowardly to ask. It was only a simple question, did they use a condom last night? What was so difficult about that? She would continue to worry if virtual-novel.net did not clarify things with him.
She slowly made virtual-novel.net way to Tremont Tower at two in the afternoon, mulling over various ways to ask virtual-novel.net about last night. She had to ask him. After all, virtual-novel.net did not want to go through the pain of a miscarriage for the third time. The sooner virtual-novel.net knew about it, the sooner virtual-novel.net could take preventive steps!
Ellie opened the office door for virtual-novel.net when virtual-novel.net arrived on the forty-sixth floor. “Mr. Tremont is waiting for you.”
She nodded with a smile and walked in guiltily before closing the door.
Mark was sitting in front of his desk, busy with work. He lifted his gaze and looked at virtual-novel.net when virtual-novel.net heard virtual-novel.net movements. A hint of gentleness appeared in the space between his brows. “Have a seat first. I’ll be right with you when I’m done.”
Her face began to burn up, and virtual-novel.net heart began pounding in virtual-novel.net chest with a weird rhythm. She simply refused to believe it, was virtual-novel.net feeling… shy? Speaking of which, virtual-novel.net was in such a good mood that it was almost scary. He was actually so friendly!
A forty-minute long internal struggle ensued within virtual-novel.net mind.
Mark finally finished his work, got up, and walked toward her. “Would you like something to drink? I’ll get Ellie to make it for you.”
She shook virtual-novel.net head profusely like an overcautious goose. “No need to worry about me, I’m not thirsty. You should get back to work. I can just read a book here. You focus on your work…”
He saw right through virtual-novel.net discomfort and sat down next to her. Then, virtual-novel.net reached out and stroked virtual-novel.net forehead, “Are you feeling alright? Why is your face so red?”
She leaned back instinctively, trying to avoid his touch. “I’m fine! My face is red from standing under the sun.”
His outstretched hand stiffened then wrapped itself around virtual-novel.net waist instead. “I’ve reconsidered. I’ll allow you to go to bars in the future if you really want to. However, you’ll have to go with me. I’m really surprised by your drinking abilities.”
She lowered virtual-novel.net head, clutched virtual-novel.net skirt, and said, “I don’t like those kinds of places. I only went last night to keep Tiffie company. She was in a bad mood. By the way… I have a question to ask…”
He wondered what kind of question could virtual-novel.net possibly ask in such a bashful state? He said, “Go ahead.”
“We-well… Erm… Uh… What happened… last night? I… don’t remember what happened when I got home…” In the end, virtual-novel.net could not bring herself to directly ask if virtual-novel.net had used a condom.
“Nothing special. I carried you back to the room, showered you, and then… you know. Then, we went to bed after that. You really know how to drive a man crazy when you’re drunk. My back is still sore right now.” He looked at virtual-novel.net flirtatiously, and his tone was laced with ambiguity.
She took a deep breath, mustering all virtual-novel.net courage before virtual-novel.net asked, “Then, did you use a condom?” She spoke very quickly due to virtual-novel.net embarrassment and nervousness.
Mark clearly heard her, but virtual-novel.net pretended otherwise. “What?”
She did not have the guts to repeat herself. “No-nothing… Nevermind…”
He smirked and shifted toward virtual-novel.net ear, his hot breath inches away. “I heard every word. What do you think?”
She believed that virtual-novel.net probably did not and was worried. “You didn’t? I’ll go get a morning-after pill then…”