Chapter 27.
Jovana snapped back to reality, and when she saw who was in front of her, a chill ran through her heart.
It was Juliette.
She was with a man, a puppy–eyed one at that.
The two were chatting and laughing, looking like a couple in love.
Jovana felt the hand at her side tighten, gripping her wrist harder than before.
It was as if it was squeezing her heart, sending a dull ache through her chest.
Juliette noticed them and, with a bright smile, walked over, pulling the young man along with her.
“Well, fancy seeing Mr. Dunbar and Ms. Atherton here! What a coincidence!” she said.
Out of the corner of her eye, Jovana noticed Armando’s gaze darken as he glared at the man, jealousy written all over his face.
If Jovana weren’t there, he might have pulled Juliette right to him by now.
Jovana bit her lip, then said deliberately, “What a coincidence. Is this your boyfriend?”
But before Juliette could answer, Armando interrupted her softly, “Vana, we’re almost there. Let’s go inside.”
Jovana forced a bitter smile.
“This is a guy who’s been pursuing me recently, but he’s not my boyfriend yet. Though, who knows what might happen in the future…” Juliette teased.
She laughed, her eyes briefly flicking toward the furious–looking Armando. Her tone carried an unmistakable playful, almost spoiled, edge.
Armando watched her from a distance, his face unreadable, but his intense gaze bore into her like a silent warning.
Jovana’s breath caught in her throat.
She recognized that look all too well.
She had always been pursued by men since school and throughout her career. Flowers, gifts, you name it, it was never–ending.
Armando was possessive, and every time he saw another man interested in her, he would seethe with jealousy. He would hold her tight, as if he feared losing her.
“You can only be mine, understand? Don’t accept things from others. Don’t be with anyone else, or I’ll get jealous,” he said.
His whiny tone always made her feel guilty. To ease his insecurities, Jovana had kept a clear distance from other men.
But now, he was jealous of a man for another woman.
And yet, Jovana was still foolishly caught in the trap of the past, where he was her gentle protector.
Juliette shot her a mischievous, almost taunting look, a sense of entitlement hanging in the air.
Jovana gave a self–deprecating smile, uninterested in watching their flirty, coy interactions.
She pulled away from Armando’s grip, saying coldly, “I’m going in…”
Armando seemed to sense her sadness. He snapped back to reality, glancing briefly at the man by her side. After a few moments of hesitation, he turned and chased after Jovana.
Behind them, Juliette smirked at Jovana’s retreating figure, her laughter dripping with contempt.
“Vana,” he said softly, his voice carrying a hint of frustration, “don’t stoop to her level. She learned her lesson last time. She’s not going to date
anyone.”
He placed his arm around her shoulders, pulling her gently to his side. “Getting upset over this will only harm your health.”
Jovana could only laugh at his words. The sweetness in his voice was meant to reassure her, but it was clear he just didn’t want her to use this opportunity to make Juliette leave the company.
They were close to the ticketing area.
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Armando led her into the haunted house.
The suffocating darkness surrounded them, but Armando was always by her side, his broad, sturdy chest offering a sense of security. “Don’t be scared, baby. I’m here,‘ he whispered, his warm palm resting on the back of her neck.
The women following them couldn’t help but envy them.
But Jovana’s interest was waning.
She didn’t really fear haunted houses. The only reason she liked coming was for the warmth of his embrace, for the feeling of being close to him.
Her love for the haunted house hadn’t changed; it was her companion who had.
Midway through, due to a single–player task, Armando went off on his own.
Time passed, and he still hadn’t returned.
Jovana began to worry. She walked to find him, but instead, she stumbled upon a scene she would never forget.
< Chapter 28
