Chapter 121: Talk to Jonathan ll
"Did you..." he said, pausing for effect, his eyes dancing, his question hanging, "Fall for her... after fucking her?"
I froze, my breath catching, my face flushing, the memory of Elizabeth’s body, her moans, her dominance in the red room crashing back.
"What? No!" I said, my face twisting in disgust and awkwardness, my voice sharp, my hands gripping the chair arms. "Why would I?" My cheeks burned, the idea absurd, Elizabeth’s commanding presence in the red room a storm I’d survived, not a romance.
Jonathan coughed, leaning back, his hands raising in mock surrender, his grin fading slightly, "Just asking," he said, his voice light, teasing, his eyes still dancing, the red room’s heat a joke he couldn’t resist.
"Oh, come on, Jonathan," I said, folding my arms firmly, my voice steady, my brow furrowing. "I already have someone I love. Her name’s Aeri, okay? And not Elizabeth or anyone random." I leaned forward, my eyes locked on his, my words clear, Aeri’s bright smile flashing in my mind, her gentle voice a balm, my love for Aeri a truth that held me and my life together.
"Okay, if you say so," Jonathan said, his voice neutral, leaning back on the desk, his hands setting the papers in front of him still but his eyes still curious.
"And no, just because I gave her my number doesn’t mean I’m meeting her in private," I said, my voice firm, pulling the paper from my pocket, the scrawled digits glaring, the sunlight glowing, the office tense, the air heavy.
"Not happening, sorry." I tore the paper into pieces, the sound sharp, and tossed them into the dustbin by the desk, the scraps fluttering, Elizabeth’s interest a line I wouldn’t cross.
"Whaaaaaa—" Jonathan’s mouth dropped, his eyes widening, his hands shooting up. "You really threw away the First Lady’s number? That could’ve been useful, you know, for a police case or a traffic ticket." His voice was incredulous, his grin returning, the red room’s heat a missed opportunity in his eyes, his shock half-serious, half-teasing.