Ethan exploded, "What did you say? No photos?!"
Seated in the lounge, I guiltily rubbed my nose. "Just a minor accident."
Ethan appeared desolate on the other side of the video call.
After some thought, I decided to make amends. "I have some childhood photos of Logan. How about I send them to you?"
Ethan's face lit up immediately. "Why didn’t you mention this earlier? That’s fantastic, exclusive photos!"
Me: "..."
"I almost forgot you've known him since you were kids."
Me: "Yeah."
"Did he notice you this time? Did you greet each other?"
I fell silent for a moment.
Ethan suddenly exclaimed, "Hey, did you see the trending news? Was you the girl that Jordan talked about during his live stream?"
I raised an eyebrow. "He became a host?"
The kind that provocatively dances and shows off his abs?
"No, he’s a game streamer."
"Oh." I lost interest in my schadenfreude, suddenly remembering Ethan's words.
I quickly turned on my laptop and accessed the trending topics.
#QKing confesses to being bullied by a malicious neighbor in childhood#
I smiled. "Ethan, did that headline make you think of me?"
Ethan replied, "Check out the video... it's exactly like you."
I hesitated before clicking on the video, ignoring tens of thousands of comments. I did not see Jordon in the video. The video showed Jordan's slender hands operating the mouse and keyboard against a gaming background.
Hearing a voice I hadn't heard in ages, I zoned out for a moment before focusing on the content.
"That girl was a bully back then. Hmm? She harassed me a lot, but I always got her back."
"Plain looks, fierce temper."
"Probably, I think so too. She must have had a crush on me; there's no other explanation." Me: ?
Comments flooded the screen:
"She definitely had a crush on you, just trying to get your attention."
"Ahhhh, so cunning from such a young age!"
"I'd like to bully Q too!"
What kind of fool is Jordan?
I was on the verge of an outburst.
A knock on the lounge door forced me to suppress my anger. "My client has arrived, I'll catch up with you later."
I had another reason for returning here; my studio was negotiating a significant domestic contract, and I wanted to see if we could close the deal.
I ended the call, stood up, and cleared my throat. "Please come in."
The door opened, revealing a tall figure in a mask, black hoodie, and sweatpants, exuding casual ease. His relaxed demeanor contrasted sharply with my formal attire.
Could this be the fussy client?
The man walked in and sat down, crossed his leg, casually removing his mask with his hands.
When I saw her face, I froze.
His face, leaner than seven years ago, had sharper features and more pronounced brow bones. Jordan smirked, "Don’t you recognize me?"
It's doomed. The deal was likely off.
I looked forlorn. "Aren’t you a streamer?"
Jordan adjusted his clothing. "You seem quite concerned about me."
Me: "..."
As I was about to leave, Jordan gestured with his index finger. "Let's see the contract."
Business is business, no room for jokes.
I presented him the well-prepared contract. "Here you go."
Jordan scoffed, flipping through a few pages before closing it.
I sensed trouble.
Jordan surveyed me, tapping the chair arm lightly.
If Jordan remained silent, the deal was probably doomed,
Feeling oppressed by Logan was one thing, but now Jordan too? Recalling the trending topic I saw earlier, I remarked sarcastically, "So, Mr. Rivers, which neighbor was the bully who had a crush on you?"
Jordan looked at me as if to say, "Don’t you know?"
I snatched the contract from his hands. "Dream on about me having a crush on you, you fool!"
Jordan's expression darkened. "What did you call me?"
I scoffed, "Talking about me having a crush when you have already engage, who’s the fool now?" He frowned, his posture unchanged, his voice low and cold.
"What woman did you say?"
Jordan seemed calmer than before.
Me: "Oh, it's your dear Aria. You have already forgotten her? Heartless man."
Jordan’s lips twitched, a smirk I knew all too well, usually preceding his scorn.
But before he could mock me, I was abruptly slammed against the wall.
He stood, seizing my neck in one fluid motion.
He is anything but calm.
I struggled, glaring at him furiously. "What are you doing? Bullying the weak? Picking on someone shorter? Coward!"
Jordan looked down at me, his hand not squeezing too tightly, yet effectively restraining me by the throat.
He chuckled coldly, his voice a low murmur, his breath warm on my ear.
Like whispers between lovers: "At four, you buried my hero figure in the mud. At five, you smeared mustard on the cake..."
I listened, numb.
"...at ten, you kicked my butt, at eleven..."
I couldn’t resist replying, "But your butt was indeed very soft, and..."
Jordan silenced me with his fingers. "And it was my honor, right?" His voice teasingly rose, irritating like a feather. "After all the lousy things you did to me, what if I really slandered you, so what?" He nearly snarled.
I was truly terrified of this madman.
I turned my head to avoid his fingers, chuckling coldly myself. "Now you've pinned me against the wall, our bodies pressed together, does Aria know about this?"
Came to sense, you stupid male lead.
"You always deserve a slap for your words," he retorted, his other hand gripping my cheek . I sharply retorted, "Fuck y……"
Jordan released his grip. "Who is Aria? I don't know her."
"I canceled the engagement the day after you left... It was all just for show," he explained tersely.
I narrowed my eyes. "Are you joking?"
Jordan sat back down, shedding his earlier domineering demeanor. He quieted down. "You just got back?"
"Yeah, How else could I be here?"
"Am I the first person you've seen?" he suddenly asked.
I was speechless. "The airport was crowded, the streets were full, how could you be the first person I saw?"
Jordan paused, then reached out to me.
Me: "I know your hands are attractive, no need to show off."
Jordan gave me a look that suggested I was an idiot, expressionless. "Give me your pen."
I quickly handed him a pen from my pocket. "I take back everything I just said."
Jordan signed the contract, lifting my spirits and making him seem more agreeable.
He unlocked his phone. "Leave your number for further cooperation on the contract."
I happily shared my number.
His phone rang, and I grinned as I took the contract. "You're busy now, I’ll leave you alone." Jordan nonchalantly pressed the answer button,I cheerfully prepared to leave.
As I touched the doorknob, Jordan’s voice softly floated over. "Mia, did you miss me during last seven years?"
I paused.
It felt like a cool guy turning unexpectedly vulnerable.
Given he had signed the contract, I reluctantly hummed in agreement.
Then, a hesitant yet clear voice spoke, "…Mia?"
I froze.
Jordan quickly ended the call.
Me: "……"
What was he doing, taking the call but speaking to me, then hanging up?
Incomprehensible.
I had promised my parents I’d be home for dinner tonight; without looking back, I lazily said, "I’m off then."
"Hmm."
