Dominant Woman Looking for Love - Chapter 18：Maybe I'm the idiot here?

I check out the person who successfully took the pest’s appendage off my back.

“Owww! Come on, Charles! That hurts!”

He lets out a gasp when Mr. Boet finally releases him.

“Being a knight in shining armor for your lovely Ms. Manager, Charles? She’s taken already, though. You’re a lifetime too late, my friend.” Instead of getting angry, Ren looks cheerful as he slowly stretches out his joints.

Charles snarls at him, but the other man doesn’t seem to care at all. “What in the hell are you talking about? Even with that face of yours, it doesn’t mean anyone would just fall for your idiotic flirting. Look at how uncomfortable she is.”

With a twinkle in his eye, he proceeds to explain to his longtime friend. “That’s kind of the point. It’s so rare to find someone who openly despises any advances I make, that it’s funny to keep annoying her… Oh, no.”

Oh. Now I understand. It seems like Ren’s a bit of a sadist?!

He looks at me worriedly and affectionately holds my hands in his.

As if on cue, Ren’s eyes automatically get all glassy, pleading as if his life depended on it. “You’re not going to stop what we have now, yeah?! Don’t take it away from me, please! I like you too much!”

Looks like my body has developed its intense hatred for this guy as it automatically moves to smack his hands away.

It was not until a few seconds later that I realize that I…

“Woohoo! I’ve still got it. Thanks, girl.” Ren giggles happily and winks at me like he’s won.

Go me, resting my face into my palm. I’m doing exactly what this jerk wants.

Or maybe I’m the idiot here? Urgh.

Like a predator locked onto his prey, Ren gives me a suffocating hug. He wraps his arms around the area just above my elbows, so it’d make it very hard for me to free myself.

After some useless struggle, I am about to give up when suddenly, I get some freedom, which was followed by a string of, “Owww!! OWWW!!! OWWW!! Nails…!! YOUR NAILS!”

My assailant screams, “OKAY, IT REALLY HURTS THIS TIME!”

I snicker when I see Ren cringing a little. Jett is pinching and twisting the asshole’s ear.

“Mr. Hille, if you know what’s good for you, you better stop teasing Ms. Raley.”

“Wow! FINALLY! Someone who can control him! My job here is done. Didn’t think some ear twisting was his weakness, though. I’ll try that next time.” Charles cackles in amusement and walks away.

Didn’t think something so juvenile would work so much on him, too. I have an idea next time when I catch him off guard. It’s payback time!

Ren’s face is so red. He gently rubs his ear as he fumes at Jett. “Hey man, that was foul. It’s not like she’s your girlfriend or anything even. No need to get all savage.”

“I’ll do anything for my girlfriend.” Jett uncrosses his arms and walks in front so he could block Ren’s line of sight.

With his back towards me, neither of the two sees my expression.

… GIRLFRIEND?! Since WHEN?!

I almost spat out blood.

Nah. He’s joking.

… I think?

A voice rings out, dripping with disbelief and a tone of seriousness I never thought Ren was capable of. “I don’t believe you. Get out of my way, Jett. You may be my manager, but lying is not something I’d excuse anyone for, even as a joke.”

Someone’s struck a nerve. I wonder if someone lied to him befo—

Wait a minute! Who gives a rat’s ass about this guy! Certainly not ME!

I stare at Jett from behind. His broad back only reminds me of the times I gave him back hugs a long time ago.

His girlfriend, huh…

Before I slip into a trance, I shake my head.

A drink… I need a drink.

I turn around and leave the two men to play the ‘Hide and Seek Therysia’ game by themselves.

* * * * *

Armed with food, I reach my destination and take a seat in one of the stools. It’s an ‘open bar’ so I go to town with the hard drinks.

“One scotch whiskey on the rocks, please.” The bartender nods, and not long after comes back with my order and places it in front of me. After asking if I have any allergies, he sets an assortment of nuts, fruits, and rice crackers in front of me when I responded with ‘no’.

Honey roasted nuts, yum. Oooh… wasabi peas, they’ll go well with the other snacks I brought with me too.

After a minute or so of enjoying my spread, I notice a presence quietly sliding into the seat next to me.

Oh, God. Did Ren follow me? I just want to enjoy my evening and relax, for fuck’s sake!

The person says nothing, so I sneak a peek and see that it’s Jett.

Inwardly, I cringe and smile wryly at the lack of control I have over my heart. It’s beating a million times a minute now recalling the word ‘girlfriend’ slipping past his luscious lips earlier.

I’m secretly glad my face is already flushed because of the drink, as I don’t have to worry about this creeping blush dusting my cheeks.

“You don’t play around, huh? Going right into…” He comes closer and tries to take a sniff. “… Is that whiskey?! You’re drinking it straight??” His eyes widen in shock.

“It’s scotch whiskey.” I correct him. “Yes, drinking it straight goes well with these snacks I got over here. Want some?” Nonchalantly pushing some of the dishes closer to him to share.

Jett looks delighted that I’m finally civil with him today that he can’t seem to stop smiling.

How cute.

I couldn’t help narrowing my eyes a little as I affectionately smile at him back. He breaks eye contact and looks away for a little bit as he nervously adjusts his tie.

“Mr. Bartender, give him the same drink as mine.”

Another glass is set next to us with more of the same nibbles he gave me earlier.

I shift my chair closer to him. Twisting my body in a more seductive and enticing position, I rest my elbow on the counter as my head slowly nestles into my hand. “So… ‘girlfriend’, huh?”

Taking a sip out of my whiskey, I give him a hard look.

He freezes and looks at me like a deer in headlights.