Chapter 258 The Eve of the Storm
"How rude," Jennifer muttered, her brow furrowing. She typed back a curt reply.
Jennifer: [If you have something to say, spit it out.]
Tarquin's response came quickly.
Tarquin: [Dr. Johnson, how are things between you and Dr. Smith these days?]
Jennifer stared at the message, her frown deepening.
'What has gotten into Tarquin? How dare he send me such a presumptuous message!' she fumed.
A surge of anger coursed through her.
Jennifer: [Are you thinking of quitting?]
At that moment, James returned with their snacks. He noticed her darkened expression and asked, "Everything alright?"
Jennifer slipped her phone into her pocket, her mind racing. "It's nothing," she said after a moment, shaking her head. "Just checking the time. We should probably head in."
James didn't press the issue. "You don't have to carry the weight of the clinic on your shoulders, you know," he said gently. "Delegate some of those tasks to me."
His words warmed her, chasing away the annoyance she'd felt moments before. As they walked towards the theater, she noticed several couples strolling hand-in-hand. On a whim, she reached out and lightly touched James' arm.
James froze, looking at her in surprise.
Jennifer quickly averted her gaze. "What's wrong?" she mumbled, her cheeks flushing.
"Nothing," James said, his heart pounding in his chest. The touch of her hand on his arm sent a jolt of electricity through him.
Even though their touch was brief and innocent, nothing like the passionate embraces of the other couples, it was enough to set his pulse racing. This was a breakthrough, a sign that their relationship was evolving.
They were finally starting to resemble a normal couple.
Truth be told, James was becoming increasingly accustomed to this life, to the point where the thought of returning to his family filled him with a strange sense of reluctance.
He knew it was a fantasy, a beautiful dream destined to end, but he couldn't help but indulge in it.
Perhaps that was why, even though the five-year mark had passed and his mission was technically complete, he hadn't made any moves to return to his old life.
"Don't get any ideas," Jennifer said, her voice barely a whisper. "I just don't want other men hitting on me."
"Right," James chuckled, nodding quickly. "Of course."
Jennifer couldn't deny that her looks attracted unwanted attention. Men envied James, while women shot her jealous glares.
With her phone on silent, Jennifer was oblivious to the barrage of messages Tarquin was sending.
"Did she reply?" Leander asked, his voice laced with concern.
Tarquin stared at his phone, a dejected expression on his face. "She sent two messages and then went radio silent," he said, scratching his head. "Did I do something to offend her?"
"What did you say?" Leander snatched the phone from Tarquin's grasp. His eyes skimmed the messages, and he let out a groan. "You absolute moron! No wonder she's furious!"
"What? What did I say?" Tarquin frowned. "Should I have just ripped the bandaid off and told her about the photos? That would seem a bit harsh, don't you think?"
"You're clueless, aren't you?" Leander rolled his eyes. "Dr. Johnson has no idea about any of this. She's our superior, and a woman. Springing that kind of question on her out of the blue? Of course she's going to get the wrong idea!"
Tarquin stared at him blankly.
"Honestly, your emotional intelligence is nonexistent," Leander sighed. "No wonder you're still single."
"What should I do now?" Tarquin asked, his voice taking on a desperate edge. "Just forget about it?"
Leander pondered for a moment before speaking. "Don't panic just yet," he said finally. "Dr. Johnson's not unreasonable. She probably just hasn't seen the messages. She's not exactly the type to be glued to her phone. Send her an apology, and when she replies, we'll figure out the best way to break the news."
"Okay, okay," Tarquin said, relief washing over him. "Help me draft up something more proper."
By this time, Jennifer and James had settled into their seats in the darkened theater, watching the previews flickering on the screen.
They were here to watch a romantic comedy, a genre Jennifer rarely indulged in. Her workaholic tendencies had left little room for leisure activities. In fact, the only movies she'd seen in recent years were the few she'd watched with Harmony back in college.
But being here with James felt different.
A warmth spread through her chest, and she found herself stealing glances at him in the dim light of the theater.
The previews ended, and the movie began. It was a charming film, a blend of romance and fantasy, with stunning visuals, a captivating score, and strong performances from the lead actors.
Jennifer, who hadn't expected much from the movie, found herself drawn into the story. She was so engrossed that she didn't notice the numerous notifications popping up on her phone.
James, on the other hand, wasn't much of a romantic comedy enthusiast. He preferred thrillers and action flicks. Initially, he'd only half-heartedly paid attention to the movie.
However, he had to admit, this particular film was surprisingly well-made. The cinematography, the music, the acting—it all came together to create a captivating experience. As the movie progressed, he found himself gradually getting drawn into the story.
Halfway through the movie, Jennifer's phone began to vibrate insistently. Someone was calling. The movie had reached a less intense scene, and the persistent buzzing finally caught her attention. She fished her phone out of her purse and saw Kaitlyn's name flashing on the screen.
"Hey, Mom," she answered softly. "James and I are at the movies. We'll be home later. Don't wait up."
She hung up and was about to put her phone away when she noticed the numerous notifications on the lock screen. Her brow furrowed. Tarquin again. He better have a good explanation for this.
With a sigh, she unlocked her phone.
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