Chapter 686 Johnny: Lola, I'm a normal man
Lola opened her eyes, still feeling the weight of her sorrow. That same dream haunted her again. In the dream, she was bringing Darren's ashes back from abroad, but the plane never landed.
She woke up with a start, feeling the warmth of the body next to her. Instinctively, she clung to that warmth, pressing her face against it.
Johnny felt the dampness on his arm—Lola had been crying. Even though it was early summer, the big bedroom felt cold and unwelcoming. Johnny waited patiently for her to calm down. After a couple of minutes, Lola was fully awake.
He felt her pulling away, bit by bit, turning her face from him, avoiding any contact. That seemingly natural movement made his heart ache. She didn't want him to touch her.
Did Lola think he was Darren just now?
The living couldn't compete with the dead, especially since Johnny was the one who sent Darren away. During the final stages of Lola's pregnancy, Darren succumbed to his illness.
It was only after her postpartum recovery, when she went to see Darren, that she found out. Thinking of this, Johnny suppressed the tightness in his chest.
Now, Darren had become a taboo between them. Johnny wouldn't mention it, and neither would Lola. They lived their lives quietly and peacefully, and as time went on, he began to wonder how much longer he could keep it up.
However, he thought, 'If Lola is willing to live like this forever, I guess I can be, too.'
Johnny spoke softly, "Angelina and Austin are still awake. Let's go back early."
After saying that, he felt a bit sad. If it weren't for Angelina and Austin, he thought Lola would have left long ago. Even if they didn't divorce, she would have flown abroad and never returned. Every night she lay beside him, she must be enduring it!
Lola propped herself up, her graceful curves still discernible even in the dim light. Rising from the bed, she swept her long hair to one side and began to gently straighten her dress, which was a bit wrinkled at the back.
Johnny said, "Let me help you."
But as soon as his hand touched her, she reflexively avoided it, creating a chasm of silence between them.
As Lola's husband, Johnny felt a bit embarrassed, but he still said gently, "I didn't mean anything, just helping you straighten your clothes."
Privately, Lola was very cold to him. She said, "I can do it myself."
After fixing it, she looked up, still cold and indifferent. "Let's go."
After taking two steps, she found that Johnny grabbed her wrist.
He could feel her aversion at the moment of contact, but this time he didn't let go. He slowly pulled her close and asked softly, "Lola, do you still hate me? Are you going to refuse to be a real couple with me for Darren's sake? How long has it been since we had a married life, do you remember?"
Lola couldn't remember the last time she had felt close to him. Ever since she discovered what he had done, she couldn't find it in her heart to trust him anymore.
Darren had accompanied her through dark times. When she was seven months pregnant with Angelina in Novaria, she had bleeding. It was a snowing day, however,Darren, despite his condition, carried her to the hospital, just as she had once pulled Darren out of darkness. They had long been like family.
But Johnny didn't let her see Darren one last time.
What was Darren like when he left? Would he think she didn't care about him anymore, and that she abandoned him after finding happiness? Darren was like a younger brother to her, and Johnny knew that. But Johnny still did it!
Lola didn't argue with Johnny; she just couldn't be a loving wife to him anymore. She had been with Johnny for so many years, and she knew him well. If she left him, who knew what crazy things he might do, so she simply gave up. It was easier to stay to give him what he wanted, even if it meant giving him a shell of her former self. The real Lola was long gone.
Johnny looked at her indifferent face and said slowly, "It's been almost two years! Lola, I'm a normal guy, aren't you afraid I..."
Lola interrupted with a faint, almost mocking smile, "Mr. Flores, there's no need to put yourself through this."
With that, she disentangled herself from his grasp and walked out of the room, leaving him standing alone in the dimly lit bedroom. For a moment, a frightening scowl twisted Johnny's face, perhaps revealing the self he had been struggling to suppress. After a while, he composed himself and followed her out.
Outside the bedroom, the lights made everything bright.
Johnny watched as Lola slowly descended the stairs, lazily chatting with Frederick below, full of charm.
Johnny quickened his pace, caught up with Lola, and then naturally put his arm around her waist in front of Frederick, greeting, "Dad, we're heading back now!"
His deliberate actions were obvious; there was no way he could fool Frederick.
But since they were pretending to be loving, Frederick couldn't say anything, just responding lightly, "Okay."
Johnny held onto Lola as they passed through the foyer and reached the parking lot in the yard.
"Let go!" she demanded.
Lola tried to push his hand away, but Johnny whispered in her ear, "Dad is watching us! Are you sure you want to push me away?"
Hearing this, Lola didn't push him away again. Instead, he gently pressed her against the car, and the fresh mint scent invaded her mouth, slowly eroding her taste buds.
With this kiss, Johnny's body temperature rose, and the hands holding her face were burning hot.
Lola let him kiss her, unusually compliant.
After a long time, Johnny gently released her, his high nose resting against her neck, breathing heavily. "If I told you Dad didn't come out, would you regret letting me touch you?" he asked.
Sure enough, her body stiffened instantly.
Johnny gave a sad smile. During the drive back, neither of them spoke. When the car stopped in the yard, the Dalmatian Bobby jumped up and down, wagging its thin tail happily.
"Daddy!" Angelina quickly ran out, hugging Johnny's leg. Johnny immediately picked her up. She was over ten years old, well-fed, and not light to hold.
Angelina, who had grown up and no longer wanted to be carried, soon asked Johnny to put her down. She proudly held Bobby and said, "Austin's chemistry experiment won first place in the city's elementary school group."
Johnny looked at Lola, speaking gently, "Austin is so good!"
Hearing this, Lola also patted Angelina's little head.
Their private conflicts were known to each other, but in front of the children, they were still a loving couple. Johnny gently held Lola's shoulder, and they walked into the hall together.
When they praised Austin, the first-grader remained calm and said, "The experiment wasn't that difficult!"
Angelina propped her little face, looking troubled. "Austin, how did you get so smart?" she asked.
Austin said seriously, "I'm smart, so you don't need to be! I'll take care of you in the future!"
Hearing this, Angelina kissed his little face, making him a bit shy. He tried to keep a straight face, but his face turned red, and Angelina laughed, holding her belly.
Because of Austin's excellence, Johnny specially rewarded him.
He found a platinum airplane model in the study and gave it to Austin. Boys loved this kind of thing, and Austin cherished it, immediately taking it to his room to admire.
Johnny sat alone behind the desk, the room gradually filling with the curling smoke of his cigarettes. After a while, he stubbed the second one out with a frustrated flick and rose to return to the bedroom.
At his insistence, they didn't sleep in separate beds. At this time, Lola had already washed up and was leaning against the headboard, scrolling through her phone. When she heard the door open, she glanced up indifferently, then put down her phone, lay down, and closed her eyes.
It was her routine to wait until he came to bed before she tried to sleep; it meant she was ready to rest.
Johnny's blue eyes quietly watched her for a while, then he walked into the dressing room to grab a bathrobe and took a shower. Afterward, he lay behind her, bringing a chill with him. He was in his prime, naturally having a man's needs.
Lola was lying in bed, and he couldn't help but want her, so he held her and began to caress her. But Lola kept her eyes closed.
After a moment, her breathing became slightly rapid, but she never spoke or responded to him. Gradually, Johnny also lost interest.
"Forget it!" He got out of bed, walked to the bathroom, and closed the door. Soon, the sound of running water came from inside.
Lola lay quietly in bed. She listened to the sounds from inside, knowing he wouldn't come out for at least 10 minutes, and after he was done, he wouldn't have the desire to touch her again.
She gently closed her eyes: finally, she could sleep!
Tonight, perhaps stimulated by something, Johnny stayed inside for 20 minutes before coming out. Still damp and with unresolved frustration in his blue eyes, he grew even angrier when he saw Lola asleep!
Yet he didn't want to lose his temper with her since their relationship was already hanging by a thread.
He lay down beside her, silent for a while, then turned to her ear and whispered, "Lola, don't you have a woman's needs? It's been two years, I don't believe you don't want it."
Lola was awake and had heard his words, but compared to her aversion to him, her body's desires seemed insignificant.
She didn't play dumb, slowly opened her eyes, and said coldly, "If you can't stand it, we can get a divorce."
However, Johnny stared at her. After a while, he spat out a sentence. "In this lifetime, don't even think about it!"
In Seattle, the medical community held a banquet to help the new medical elites find partners.
Highly valued by the hospital, Leonard received an invitation. "Leonard, make the most of it!" the director said.
Leonard smiled and said, "I have a girlfriend!"
The director slapped his forehead and said, "I forgot about that. The other day, your photo kissing your girlfriend caused quite a stir in Seattle. She's quite pretty—prettier than all the nurses in our hospital."
Leonard pursed his lips, clearly pleased.
The director cheerfully handed him another invitation and said, "Take your girlfriend and have fun! Enjoy yourselves, and invite us to the wedding soon."
Leonard responded, "Definitely!"
After sending off the director, Leonard immediately called Caitlyn, "Caitlyn, I have two invitations here. How about accompanying me to the banquet tonight? We might be the only non-singles there!"
Caitlyn happened to be free that evening and agreed, but she didn't expect to run into Landon at the banquet.
Why was Landon at a medical banquet?
A senior of Leonard's, about 40 years old, introduced them to Landon, speaking cautiously, "Leonard, this is Mr. Carter, the president of the Carter Group! Mr. Carter, this is our hospital's youngest and most promising doctor, Dr. Dobbins, and this is his girlfriend. Don't you think they make a great couple?"
Landon, impeccably dressed in custom-made attire with sparkling diamond cufflinks, held a glass of champagne. He scrutinized Caitlyn's deep red spaghetti strap gown that complemented her skin beautifully, cinched tightly at the waist, making her look like a fairy.
After a while, Landon smiled faintly and responded, "I saw the photo the other day; indeed, they are a lovely couple."
However, Caitlyn felt a chill and didn't want to see him at all; a polite nod was the most she could manage.
Although Leonard was eager to have a deeper conversation with Landon, he remembered Caitlyn mentioning that they were not on the same page. So, he suppressed his social instincts, shook hands briefly, and said, "Hello, Mr. Carter!"
Landon gave a brief, reserved handshake. He looked at the wine glass in Caitlyn's hand and said nonchalantly, "Ms. Robinson isn't much of a drinker, Leonard, you're not doing your job as a boyfriend."
Hearing this, Leonard looked at Caitlyn. "Shall I get you some juice?" he asked.
Caitlyn's face was pale, almost bloodless. She didn't know what Landon wanted as she looked up at him. His deep gaze, tinged with unrestrained anger, stared straight at her.
Caitlyn forced a weak smile and slowly said, "An occasional drink is fine! A bad stomach can be nursed back to health. Leonard is very considerate, Mr. Carter, please don't tease him."
Hearing this, Leonard was quite happy and couldn't help but gently hold her delicate fingers, intertwining them with his.
Caitlyn then pointed to the other side and said, "I want some dessert."
As they left, Landon continued to watch them, and the senior said, "Leonard's director said they just started dating. They're in the honeymoon phase and always have boundless enthusiasm."
Landon tilted his head back and drank the small glass of champagne. When he put down the glass, he smiled reservedly and said, "Yes, the honeymoon phase is always inseparable."
Later, Caitlyn encountered Landon in the restroom. She was alone when he entered quietly, closed the door, and hung a cleaning sign.
Looking at him in the mirror, she softly asked, "Mr. Carter, what do you mean?"
Landon leaned against the wall, watching her.
She couldn't help but continue, "Why are you here? We've been apart for three years; why won't you let me go? Seattle is such a big city. I've been avoiding you. Can't you just let me go? Do you want Leonard to find out about my shameful past?"
Finally, Landon spoke, "Caitlyn, do you only see our past as something disgraceful?"
She sneered, "What else? Mr. Carter, you've been in a high position for so long, you probably don't know what it's like to be slapped."
She didn't want to talk to him and tried to leave.
Landon turned, standing behind her, and gently said, "Caitlyn, please come back to me, ok? You don't love Leonard; there's no love in your eyes when you look at him."
Caitlyn found it laughable, and heartbreaking.
She asked softly, "What is love? I once loved passionately and bet everything, but in the end, you abandoned me and married someone else! Mr. Carter, you have everything now, and perhaps you're starting to miss the past. But that's not what I want. Let's end this... stop entangling our lives." With that, she resolutely opened the door and left.
Not far from the restroom, Leonard was chatting with his senior. They discussed Landon's recent interest in investing in the medical industry, and the senior advised Leonard to pay attention.
As they talked, they saw Caitlyn come out.
Caitlyn's eyes were slightly red, and just as Leonard was about to ask what was wrong, Landon followed her out of the women's restroom.
Leonard's eyes darkened.
At that moment, he seemed to understand everything: why Caitlyn refused to teach Landon's child, why her attitude towards Landon was always so indifferent, and why Landon seemed more humble in front of Caitlyn. Because they had a past relationship.
And now, with Landon's wife deceased, it was clear he wanted to rekindle things with Caitlyn.
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