Arrogant Man VS Unyielding Woman novel Chapter 157

"Shh... Be quiet... or he'll hear you!" Maranda whispered to Jean. She couldn't understand why Jean had suddenly burst out in laughter. And so she asked, "Why are you so happy? You sounded like you won the lottery when John sneezed." Maranda looked around to see if anyone was watching them before she leaned forward and whispered, "Were you cursing John?"

Jean pursed her lips at Maranda's question. She didn't know if Maranda would be happy or annoyed if Jean shared what she had been thinking when John sneezed. However, when Jean saw the sly look on Maranda's face, she knew her friend would not be upset.

Equally, Maranda knew Jean well enough to be able to guess what her friend had been thinking.

"Yes." Jean nodded and placed a hand on her mouth to stop herself from giggling loudly. "He deserves it for rejecting such a charming lady. So don't feel any pity for him! And, don't be upset with me if I curse him secretly, okay?"

Maranda suddenly felt embarrassed and shifted in her seat, "This matter is between you and him. Don't drag me in the middle of it!"

Jean's eyebrows shot up at Maranda's statement. She asked, "You've decided to forgive him since you pushed the blame on me?" Jean blinked rapidly in disbelief as she asked.

Maranda sighed in defeat. "This is all very complicated, " she said still looking around to make sure no one was listening. Her shoulders sagged as she confessed, "How could I stay mad at him? I feel like this is all my fault. I imagined myself as his favorite one." Maranda lowered her eyes hopelessly.

Gone was the huge smile that had graced Maranda's face just a moment ago. Somehow, every time they spoke of John, Maranda seemed to look sadder and sadder.

Jean sighed. She didn't like the situation Maranda had found herself in. She wished there was something she could do to make Maranda feel better. When Jean got no brilliant ideas, she looked out the window in silence.

Their destination was about two hours away. The journey was long and mostly quiet. Once they reached the bus stop, Jean and her friends hailed a taxi and piled their luggage into the trunk before climbing in.

Once at the hotel, they grabbed their luggage and made their way to the lobby. Two rooms had been booked for them. Since Maranda and Jean were girls, they shared one room, while John got the second room.

Since the rooms were nearby, John could ensure the girls' safety.

After checking in, Jean took a quick shower. As soon as she had dressed herself, she heard the doorbell to the suite.

Jean opened the door and found that John was standing outside the door. His face was expressionless and so she couldn't tell what he was thinking. As soon as John saw Jean, the corners of his mouth lifted into a demure smile. He said, "Let's go grab something to eat before we head for the shoot location."

"Ok, you go on ahead. I will wait for Maranda. We'll join you as soon as she is ready."

Jean nodded and closed the door as soon as she saw John turning to leave. She walked toward the bathroom and knocked on the door as she asked, "Maranda, are you ok? How is your stomach?"

"I am fine. Don't worry. I'll be out in a minute, "

Came Maranda's reply.

Jean remembered that Maranda hadn't looked well. The journey had mostly been fine. Maranda had been upset with John's behavior, however, she was well. As soon as they had reached the hotel, Jean had noticed that Maranda had paled. Once they had their room keys, Maranda had rushed to the bathroom. After Jean had finished bathing, Maranda had run into the bathroom again. Jean was worried about her.

After hearing Maranda's reply, Jean felt a little relieved. She said cheerfully, "John just asked us to grab some food. After the meal, we will go check out some scenic spots for the film."

"Okay. I am ready. I'll be out soon." Maranda dawdled in the bathroom for several minutes before she stepped out with an embarrassed smile.

Jean grabbed her arm and led her outside the hotel room.

As they entered the restaurant, they saw John standing in the corner. He seemed to be quite relaxed. As soon as he saw the women, he smiled.

While John spoke very little and he did often seem a little indifferent, he did take good care of the women when they traveled. He was a true gentleman.

Jean and Maranda walked toward John. He pointed at the table he had reserved for them before sitting. The women sat opposite John.

Within minutes, their meal had been served. Jean didn't have breakfast in the morning as she was already running late for the bus. And so, she was famished.

She picked up her chopsticks and wolfed down her food.

John put down his chopsticks. Although the women hadn't finished eating, he decided to excuse himself. He spoke to Jean and Maranda as he hailed a waiter, "I am full, so excuse me. But please, continue enjoying your meal."

When the waiter arrived, John ordered a coffee for himself.

Jean nodded in response to John's statement. When she glimpsed at Maranda, she noticed that her friend hadn't eaten anything. Jean became concerned and whispered, "What's wrong with you? Is your stomach still giving you trouble? Why aren't you eating?"

"I am fine. I just have no appetite." Maranda answered with a bitter smile.

"Have some food or you will feel hungry soon." Jean said with a deep sigh. After a moment she added, "If you do feel unwell, just tell me and we will take you to a hospital."

"I am fine. Don't worry." Maranda turned pale when she heard the word, hospital. She really didn't want to be hospitalized.

John looked at Maranda pensively. Then he frowned as he thought of something. He rose quickly and said to Jean, "Excuse me, I will leave now. Just wait for me at the gate after you have finished eating. I won't be long."

"I see." Jean replied. She couldn't understand why John was in such a hurry. But she was more concerned about Maranda's health and so, she didn't bother with John.

Seeing that Maranda was still picking at her food, Jean asked her tenderly, "Maranda, you still look pale. How about we go to the hospital right now?"

"I said I am fine. I know how I feel. Now please, stop asking me. I know you are worried, but please don't be." Maranda took a deep breath and smiled weakly as she reassured Jean.

Jean couldn't do anything since Maranda was unwilling to go to the hospital. She sighed in resignation and finished her meal.

As soon as they were done, Maranda and Jean carried the photography equipment to the gate.

John had asked them to wait at the gate if they didn't see him. So they stopped and looked around. At that moment, they spotted John climbing out of a taxi. He looked calm as he walked toward Maranda and Jean.

"John..." Jean waved to him and asked, "Where did you go..."

It was very strange to see that John had taken a short ride in a taxi. 'Where could he have gone? Was he meeting someone secretly?' Jean wondered.

"Oh, I noticed that Maranda looked pale and she was not willing to go to the hospital. So I went to the pharmacy." John answered coolly as he handed Maranda a paper bag.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause more trouble. I just thought that if we went to a hospital now, the schedule will be delayed." Maranda said apologetically to her colleagues. "Jean, open the bottle of water for her, " John ordered gently. Then he looked away.

Jean was surprised. She couldn't help but look at Maranda. Her colleague was equally bewildered. The expression on her face would have been comical had the situation not been so tense.

Maranda was shocked indeed.

She had never expected that John would care enough about her to make this effort. And yet, he did.

Did he care about her? Did he not care about her? He had made his feelings quite clear when she professed her love for him earlier. But now, he was behaving in a manner that showed that he was concerned.

Maranda frowned when John looked away. She realized that when she had told him about her feelings, he had looked away then too. Why did he refuse to look at her?

Jean was thrilled! She assumed that John's attitude toward Maranda had changed. She couldn't help smiling when she thought that this gesture by John would warm Maranda's heart and give her something to be happy about.

If not, Jean would be even more embarrassed. She had, after all, been the mediator.

Jean opened the bag and saw that John had bought some medicine for diarrhea and a bottle of water.

When Jean smiled at John, she saw that he was being very indifferent toward Maranda. She frowned.

Despite this confusing behavior, Jean was happy as John had been thoughtful and considerate.

Jean handed the pills and water to Maranda. She smiled gratefully as she took the medicines from Jean.

John was still looking elsewhere. He never once glanced at either Jean or Maranda. After a few moments, he prompted the women, "Are you ready? Shall we go?"

Then he took a few steps forward and grabbed the equipment.

Jean was ready to follow John but stopped when she noticed that he wasn't walking. Instead, he was looking ahead with a confused expression.

Jean frowned at John's abruptness and turned to see what John had been looking at. As soon as she saw what had surprised John, Jean's expression changed.