Chapter 5 A Blind Date For Jean

Three days later, inside the CEO's office of the Lu Group.

Joe pushed the door open and sneaked his way in. As he was heading toward Stark, he suddenly shouted, "Hey, Stark!"

He thought it might startle him, but Stark only lifted his head to look at him with no reaction.

"Aren't you annoying?"

The chilly atmosphere that surrounded Stark did not intimidate Joe. After seeing the faint red mark on his right face, he reacted as if he had come upon a new world.

"Whoa! Who did that? Who's got the nerve to slap you?"

Stark's face suddenly darkened upon hearing his remark. "If you have something to say, then say it. Otherwise, leave at once!"

"Well, I came here to discuss with you about the land issue in the southern part of the city. But then again, I think it's best to put that matter aside for now. I'd rather talk about the person who smacked you in the face," said Joe with a malicious smile.

When Stark didn't say a word, Joe could almost guess who was culpable for the mark on his face, and his smile grew even more conspicuous.

"Is it Jean? Could there be some truth in what I read on the entertainment headlines two days ago?"

Stark diplomatically held his peace with a sour face. When Joe noticed this, he almost snickered. With one hand laid on Stark's shoulder, he suggested, "Let's get some coffee and have a sincere guy talk."

At Sunshine Cafe.

Despite Stark's obvious objection, Joe still dragged him in.

Shortly after the two went in, Jean stepped out of the cab, and as she approached the coffee shop's front door, she scanned the surroundings with a frown.

Amanda had set up a blind date for her today, and she had arranged for them to meet at the Sunshine Cafe's entrance at noon.

As Jean grew restless from standing by, a deep and captivating voice came from behind her.

"Miss Jian, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

Jean whirled around and caught sight of a tall and handsome man peering at her. He had a crisp, white polo shirt on with two buttons undone from the collar. His fair skin was vaguely visible, and his lips revealed an impish smile. He looked somewhat unruly and adamant.

"Nicolas Shen?"

"I never expected you to know who I am. I can see that I'm quite famous in A City."

Jean grimaced faintly.

Sure, she had heard about Nicolas. He and Stark were A City's best-known playboys.

Stark had built a drinking reputation and got involved in brawls. The man before her, by contrast, had leveled up. He was a real ladies' man.

Nicolas was the second son of Vincent Shen. It was said that Nicolas was not born by Vincent's wife. He was an illegitimate child. Vincent brought him home when he was fourteen years old.

It didn't upset Nicolas after noticing that Jean had not spoken a single word except for his name yet. So, with a disarming smile, he said, "I got caught in a crazy traffic jam on my way here. Let me buy you a cup of coffee as an apology."

Jean had no reason to turn down his offer. She only nodded and walked inside the cafe alongside Nicolas.

"There's a cozy seat on the corner. Let's sit over there."

Jean agreed and quietly followed his lead. When they were comfortably settled in, both of them ordered a cup of black coffee, to which the waiter replied, "Please hold on while I prepare your orders." Then he turned around and made his way to the counter.

Meanwhile, neither said anything as they waited patiently until the coffee was served.

On the other side, as soon as Joe sat down with Stark, he couldn't wait to ask the nagging question, "Tell me real quick! I've been dying to know about your personal issue. Explain to me what happened between you two. Did Jean slap you across the face? Did you start the fight? Or did she provoke you first?"

Based on their first two meetings, it was unlikely that Jean would make the first move to aggravate Stark.

After Joe mentioned those, he realized that Stark's attention wasn't with him all this time. Following the direction of his sad gaze, he blurted in surprise, "Hey! Isn't that Nicolas? It's quite unusual to see a pub frequenter like him come in for coffee."

Bewildered, he turned toward Stark, then looked back at Nicolas.

They never had much contact with him, so Stark didn't have to look at Nicolas like he would devour him all raw!

The more he deliberated on the situation, the weirder it made him feel. He looked closer again at the woman's back in front of Nicolas, and he noted how familiar she looked, like someone he had seen before.

'Oh, got it! Jean!'

"How come Jean's with Nicolas? Are they acquainted with each other?"

Staring at the two, Stark gritted his teeth and abruptly got up to his feet, looking all psyched to go over their table.

"Stark, what identity do you use to get in their way now?"

Stark's body stiffened, and he suddenly paused.

"Ex-fiance perhaps? I don't think you could stop her from dating other men when you assume this character. Or are you a plain old friend? However, you don't seem to be wonderful friends. And if you're a former classmate, you still don't have the liberty to get entangled in her personal affairs," said Joe with a slight grin.

Stark clenched his fists until a ripple of blue veins came out from the back of his hands. But he didn't make one move forward.

Joe yanked him back to his seat by tugging his arm.

"I've always wanted to ask you this for three years. Let's say you never loved Jean. Why did you agree to get engaged and then back out at the engagement party? You even hurled insulting words at her. What were you thinking?"

No one knew what Stark had in mind except himself. Even Joe, his closest friend who grew up with him, could not read his thoughts.

Staring at Jean from the corner of his eyes, Joe sighed, "I don't think you should blame me for speaking on behalf of others. You know what a total jerk you were during our four years of college, and everyone knew how special Jean treated you during that time."

"Stark, if you have a thing for Jean, apologize to her. Go after her. But if you don't have any feelings for that girl, then don't harass her any longer. After the news came out two days ago, many people in A City ridiculed her behind her back. Jean is a nice girl. Just give her a break."

Jean had chased after Stark for four long years back in college. Although they got engaged because Jean had sex with Stark after becoming highly intoxicated, he had nothing to lose at all. Also, Jean never pleaded for him to take responsibility for what transpired between them. It was Stark who swallowed his words at the engagement party.

Jean felt that Stark was quite a nasty piece of work.

Stark's well-defined face had turned as black as ink, and his deep-seated anger was boiling in his chest.

Joe was not among those involved with the incident, so how could he understand what was going on at the time?

He opened his mouth several times and tried to say something but ended up being silent.

The waiter brought the coffee.

Nicolas propped his chin on his hand, staring at Jean softly. "I have a confession to make. My brother, Garry, is supposed to be your date today."

His words slightly confused Jean. "What did you say?" She gaped at the man sitting in front of her in confusion.

"From the time you first saw me, I know you've been contemplating why I'm here. How come I was selected to go out with you? Am I correct in saying that?"

After he saw through her thoughts, Jean sipped her coffee awkwardly and smiled, "No, I didn't..."

Nicolas lifted his brows and continued, "When I saw the photo your mom had sent over, I think I fell in love with your pretty face at first sight. My brother had to deal with something, so I came instead."

Jean suddenly choked on the coffee that she was about to gulp down. She covered her mouth and coughed violently.

"Ahem..."

Nicolas grabbed a piece of tissue and was about to hand it over to her. Just then, he sensed a hostile stare glued to him from nearby. With the corners of his mouth slightly raised, he extended his long arm and gently wiped the coffee residue close to Jean's mouth.

Meanwhile, sitting opposite Stark, Joe felt the air pressure surrounding them drop. He feared that Stark would charge toward Nicolas and land a heavy blow on his face in the next second.