Chapter 448 We Are Patients
Jonathan leaned in. "Help me ditch this girl without upsetting her family."
Katherine frowned, clearly annoyed. "If she's not right for you, just tell her. Why fake it? You even took her bag shopping, making her think you're interested!"
Jonathan shrugged. "Being direct didn't work. She thinks feelings can grow. We've had dinner, watched a movie, and now I'm stuck. She won't let me take her home, so we're shopping. Katherine, you're always clever. Can you help?"
Katherine sipped her coffee, noticing Jonathan's genuine distress. With his looks and background, it was no wonder women were drawn to him. If a girl liked him, she wouldn't want to let go.
Given their social circles, family introductions were well-matched. Whether it worked out was more about family dynamics than personal choice.
It was tricky. Mishandling it could cause grudges and family issues.
Katherine lazily said, "I'll give it a shot."
Jonathan grinned. "Thanks!"
His date probably didn't like him being alone with another pretty girl, so she came back quickly, holding a new bag with two smiling sales associates behind her.
"Jonathan, what do you think of this bag?"
Jonathan glanced at it and nodded with his usual smile. "It's nice."
Even with the praise, she sensed he was just being polite.
Her focus wasn't on the bag. She eyed Katherine, who was sipping coffee. "Jonathan, what were you two talking about? Who is this lady? You didn't introduce us!"
Jonathan should've introduced them, but that would make it seem like he valued the date.
His first reaction was to avoid Katherine's misunderstanding, so he didn't introduce them.
In hindsight, it was pointless!
Katherine wouldn't overthink or care about his issues.
Jonathan thought wryly, then smiled politely. "I forgot! Let me introduce you. This is my old friend, Katherine Galatea. Katherine, this is Cindy Keller, my father's close friend's daughter."
The daughter of his father's close friend?
Hearing this, Cindy felt a bit miffed. Was she overthinking, or was Jonathan distancing himself from her in front of Katherine?
"Ms. Galatea, nice to meet you!"
Not knowing Katherine's background, Cindy greeted her politely.
Katherine smiled back. "Ms. Keller, nice to meet you too."
Cindy perched on the armrest of Jonathan's sofa, trying to look cozy and assert her claim. "Jonathan, when did you and Ms. Galatea become friends? I know most of the girls in the Janetrick circle, but I've never seen Ms. Galatea. Which family is she from?"
She was clearly fishing for info to see if Katherine was competition.
"She is..." Jonathan started, probably about to reveal Katherine's identity as Mrs. Melville.
Katherine cut him off. "We're both patients."
Cindy blinked. "Patients?"
Jonathan didn't expect that. He frowned, curious about what Katherine would say next.
Katherine nodded. "Yeah, we met in a patient support group. We were just discussing his condition."
Cindy looked at Jonathan, surprised. "What condition? Jonathan, are you sick? Why didn't you tell me?"
Katherine pretended to realize her mistake. "Oh? You didn't tell her?"
Jonathan smiled, playing along. "No, I haven't had the chance yet."
Katherine quickly apologized. "Sorry, my bad!"
Jonathan shook his head. "It's okay. She'd find out sooner or later."
Cindy was confused. "Jonathan, what condition? You can't hide it from me if you're sick!"
Before Jonathan could answer, Katherine jumped in. "Ms. Keller, don't worry. It's not serious, nothing life-threatening! Just a minor ailment, though it has a certain transmission probability. But as long as you take precautions..."
Before she could finish, Cindy instinctively jumped away from Jonathan, her face changing. She seemed to be recalling any contact she had with him.
Even the two sales associates took a step back!
Seeing Cindy's reaction, Katherine added, "Ms. Keller, don't worry too much. The transmission probability is very low, but it's hard to cure. Once you get it, it's for life."
Cindy didn't know what to say, so she pulled out her phone, quickly typing and sending a message.
Soon, her phone rang.
She awkwardly smiled. "Excuse me, I need to take this call!"
She stepped aside, loudly saying, "What? You guys are all together, waiting for me? Okay, I'll be there soon!"
After hanging up, Cindy turned back, keeping her distance from Jonathan. "Jonathan, my friends are calling me for a spa session. I can't stay."
Jonathan stood up, taking out his car keys. "No problem, I'll drive you there."
Cindy smiled awkwardly, waving her hand. "No, no need. You rarely meet your patient friend. You two should catch up!"
Jonathan 'reluctantly' agreed. "Alright, be careful."
"I will! Jonathan, Ms. Galatea, have a good chat!"
Cindy quickly walked out of the store as if escaping.
The two sales associates hurriedly took back the bag Cindy had picked, holding it with just two fingers as if it were something toxic, and quickly moved away to disinfect it.
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