Arrogant Man VS Unyielding Woman novel Chapter 201

But, why would Jesse propose to help Jean with her studio in front of Zed?

Though Jean was confused by the offer, she didn't show her reaction. She just continued to eat the fruit quietly.

The thought that she would be returning to work in the morning left Jean excited.

After dinner, Jean returned to her bedroom. She had a long, hot bath before climbing into her bed. To pass the time, she began browsing through her cell phone.

It had been a few days since Ethan and Selena's disappearance had led to trouble at Sonny's company. Jean hadn't been to work during this time. She was anxious to return and see if anything had changed.

When Zed came out of the bathroom, he saw Jean playing with her phone. He stood quietly and studied her. Although she seemed to be relaxing in bed, her expression showed that she was thinking about something important. Curious, he asked, "What's the matter? What are you thinking about?"

"Ethan, is he......" Jean looked at Zed and asked expressionlessly.

"I let him go yesterday." Though Zed showed no signs of being displeased, Jean needed to be extremely cautious. If she had learned anything, it was that Zed didn't like talking about Ethan. Every time they did, Jean and Zed would end up fighting. Zed understood Jean's hesitance and tried to reassure her by saying, "Have I ever failed to fulfill a promise to you? Jean, don't you trust me?"

"Yes, I trust you. Just the thought that my company may suffer an undeserved catastrophe because of Ethan makes me feel bad." Jean sighed and explained.

"Don't worry about it so much. Wait until tomorrow. Once you get to your office, it will seem as though none of this happened." Zed said with a slight smile as he walked toward his wife.

"Do you mean that?" Jean said with a grin. "Do you think that the Lei Group will not withdraw it's investment now that Ethan has returned?" Jean's eyes shone brightly as she sat up in bed and asked Zed.

"It's highly possible." Zed responded vaguely. He sat on the bed and enveloped Jean in his big, strong arms. He said affectionately, "Oh, how I've missed holding you." Then Zed leaned forward and gently grazed Jean's lips with his. "I've missed kissing you more. "

As Zed's warm breath tickled and excited Jean, her cute face turned crimson.

"Be serious, I still have something to talk about with you." Jean playfully pushed Zed away.

Sensing that Jean was serious, Zed let go of Jean and furrowed his brows as he asked, "What's wrong? What happened?"

"Earlier, when I went upstairs to call Jesse for dinner, I noticed that she had being crying." Jean raised an accusatory eyebrow at Zed before continuing, "What did you say to her? She must have been pretty upset."

"I didn't say anything harsh, " Zed frowned as he thought over his conversation with Jesse. When he couldn't find anything that would have upset Jesse, he smiled dismissively and said, " Jesse has always been a sentimental girl. I believe she will feel better soon. "

Jean tilted her head and studied Zed. He and Jesse had been friends since they were children. However, Zed didn't seem to care about what was bothering Jesse as much as Jean had expected.

Jean didn't agree with Zed's nonchalance regarding the matter. She decided to voice her concern, "Zed, actually before Jesse came here, didn't you guys talk on the phone?"

She grasped her hands tightly and looked at the bed as she asked. Jean knew that Zed would not be happy that she had overheard his conversation.

Zed was surprised. He swallowed his temper and asked patiently, "So, you are saying that you heard the phone call that I had with Jesse?"

Jean nodded. She didn't want to be dishonest with Zed about this or any other matter.

"Then why did you run? And then you treated me so indifferently and coldly. God, Jean, what were you thinking?" Zed couldn't believe that Jean had behaved so oddly after hearing a partial phone call. He gazed at her expectantly as he continued, "Didn't I already explain to you that I treat Jesse like my sister?"

Zed finally understood what was happening. He had a feeling that Jean had been upset about something related to Jesse, but he hadn't been able to figure it out. Now that she had confessed to having heard the call, he knew that he had been right. He sighed and gazed at Jean as he waited for her to explain.

Jean shook her head and said, "No, no. That's not why I brought this up. You've misunderstood me." Jean's face blushed as embarrassment set in. She quickly explained, "During the call you were comforting her because she was unhappy about something, correct?"

Zed frowned as he thought over the conversation. Then his face lit up with understanding, "Oh, that's what you are talking about!" He waved his hand dismissively as he explained, "Jesse has been haunted by this problem for several years. Jesse is a pretty girl, and she comes from an influential family. She's also of marriageable age. She had received many offers over the years. But Jesse doesn't want to settle down so early." Zed stopped to shrug before continuing, "Jesse's parents are eager to see her marry someone worthy. They put a tremendous amount of pressure on her. And the situation gets worse with every passing year. This year, her father seems to favor an eligible young man. And so, her father is trying very hard to force Jesse to agree. Unhappy with the situation and disagreeable with the match, Jesse asked if she could come here for a little while. That way, she could escape the pressure."

Zed sighed as he finished.

If Jean had any misunderstandings, then Zed's lengthy explanation should settle her concerns.

Jean thought over all that Zed had said. She found that she could relate to Jesse's dilemma. After all, not very long ago, Jean had been in the same situation.

Now everything was clear.

A relieved smile played on Jean's face as she looked at Zed and said, "Poor Jesse! Zed, don't you have any ideas?"

"What ideas?" Zed was confused and he asked.

"She is your childhood sweetheart, and her parents are forcing her to marry someone she barely knows. Did you ask her if she had found someone of her choice? Perhaps if she loved someone, then her parent's wouldn't pressure her so much."

Jean looked at Zed with a big smile and asked.

"Of course I did. That's when I felt as though Jesse has someone in her heart. She's upset and at a loss because I gave her the same advice!" Zed sighed. Then, a thought made him smile. He looked at Jean tenderly as he said, "It looks like we are of the same mind. We both had the same solution to Jesse's dilemma."

Jean's face turned crimson. A part of her was happy to hear what Zed had said. However, a part of her knew exactly why she had made this suggestion. And it wasn't because she selflessly wanted to help Jesse.

With Jesse married to someone, Jean would not have any cause to worry about Jesse's intentions toward Zed.

"You know her best. Were you able to figure out whom she has feelings for?" Jean asked out of curiosity.

"My love, you are being too curious!" Zed held Jean in his arms and teased, "Why do I get this feeling that you want Jesse to get married as soon as possible? Are you genuinely enthusiastic about her romantic life? Or, do you have another reason?"

Zed grinned as he continued to tease Jean.

"What are you talking about?" Jean feigned innocence although her rose-tinted cheeks seemed to confirm Zed's suspicions. She rushed to explain, "You and I have our loving, intimate moments. Since she is living with us, she gets to see a few personal moments. Don't you think that is cruel for her? She must feel even more lonely! Besides, if she finds her Mr. Right, she won't interrupt us."

Jean summoned up the courage to speak her mind. It felt so wrong to be so selfish as to want Zed for herself. But Jean just had to admit to her feelings. Albeit Jean found the courage to say what was on her mind, she found that she couldn't look at Zed. And so she buried her face in Zed's chest.

'Sorry Zed, I was playing a trick. It is not what I am really thinking.

Though I don't have to worry about you, I can't be that sure about Jesse.

Even though she has said that she sees you as her brother, Her behavior today leaves me unsettled.

So, finding out whether or not Jesse loves someone will be the common goal between you and I.

Only then will I feel safe.

Zed, how I hope that I am just being paranoid!'

Zed froze at Jean's reaction. He had a feeling that there was more to the situation than Jean was ready to confess to. But instead of being angry about it, Zed found her jealousy endearing. He smiled as he called her name, "Jean......"

When Jean looked at Zed with her big, beautiful eyes, desire filled Zed.

"Happiness came to me because of you. I still can't believe that you and I..."

Before Zed could finish, Jean leaned forward and gently grazed his lips with hers.

Unable to hold back any more, Zed encircled Jean's waist and pulled her closer as he deepened his kiss.