abcnovels
Chapter 93
Chapter 93
Chapter 93
Chapter 93
Estrella-casually removed Jason’s hand and poured him a glass of wine, “The bright lights and the buzz of the night, they’re just too much fun, makes you not want to head home.”
Jason felt like he was being subtly jabbed again, as if Estrella was hinting at his own. reluctance to go home. Unable to get the upper hand with Estrella, Jason’s icy glare drifted towards Bryce.
Bryce, catching the look, turned to Estrella with a stern face, “Estrella, a place like this really isn’t for a proper lady like you. Better you head back to the hotel and rest with Jason. Look at him, he’s a catch and a half, and he’s even got the good looks. Just commit to being Mrs. Nelson and forget all this glitz and glam-it’s got nothing to do with
you.
Bryce’s tune had changed so quickly, it was as if he wasn’t the same guy who'd phoned Estrella earlier to come out and have a good time.
Jesse kicked him under the table, “Show some spine, will ya? Stop embarrassing us.”
They were a trio, and in Jesse’s mind, Bryce’s cowardice reflected on her and Estrella as well, but she and Estrella were not about to back down.
After topping up Jason’s drink, Estrella looked up at Bryce, “Since when did | become the ‘proper lady’?” Estrella wasn’t about to assume such a hefty label. The terms ‘proper’ and ‘lady’ were as foreign to her as could be. Jesse cleared her throat and added out of the blue, “More like a sexy young housewife.”
Estrella chuckled at Jesse’s description, while Jason’s face turned a shade that begged not to be witnessed. Jason’s expression soured, and Bryce, breaking out in a cold sweat, hurriedly interjected, “Estrella, please just go back with Jason.”
Jason wouldn't lay a finger on Ella or Jesse, but Bryce? He was sure to get skinned alive, especially with the way Jason had just stared at him.
Estrella speared a piece of honeydew melon with her fruit fork, “Bryce, your skill at reading the room could use some work. Can’t you tell Jason wants to party too?” She then turned to Jason, “Isn’t that right, Mr. Jason?”
Teased by Estrella, Jason grabbed her chin, pulled her close, and then leaned in to bite off the piece of melon she had just put in her mouth.
Estrella protested, “Jason, have you no shame? There’s a whole plate of it, and you go for the one in my mouth because it tastes better?”
Jason gently wiped her lips, “Yours does taste sweeter.” L At Jason’s flirty maneuver, Bryce and Jesse turned away, feeling the couple was too much to handle.
Across the room, the lawyers from Future Vision watched Jason’s playful banter with Estrella, noting that women, especially beautiful ones, tended to have the upper hand. Rachel’s complexion turned sour. She had approached Jason in private before, even undressing in front of him. All he had said was one word: “Scram.”
But now, Rachel was witnessing Jason shamelessly engaging with someone else, and that someone was Estrella. Rachel had thought to... well, it seemed her earlier efforts were just adding to their amusement.
Jason wasn’t particularly fond of bars, but since Estrella was insistent on staying, he sat beside her, engrossed in his phone. They'd had their quarrels, and he had deliberately irritated her with Serene the day before, so now he was content to indulge her.
His arm casually draped over the back of her seat, his actions flirtatious, especially since he had just ‘stolen’ food from her lips, marking his territory in a way.
Every so often, he glanced up at her, seeing her chat away happily with Jesse and Bryce, a faint smile gracing his lips.
Although Estrella used to have a smile on her face every time she saw him, that kind of warmth and laughter always made him feel a certain distance. It didn’t feel as innocent and bright as it did now.
It had been a while since he had seen her smile like this.
When the early morning hours struck, Jason felt it was time to wrap up Checking his watch deliberately, he said, “Estrella, time to head back.”
the night. Estrella retorted, “If you want to go back, then go. Why keep an eye on me?”
Her indifference irked Jason, and his gaze turned cold. Bryce quickly chimed in, “Estrella, we'll hang out another time. Let's call it a night
Jesse also shifted uncomfortably and suggested, “Bryce and | are beat too. We can all head out together.”
With Bryce and Jesse both suggesting they leave, Estrella rose, unhurried. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to rest back at the hotel. She just didn’t want to get involved with Jason, especially after he had come to the bar.
Despite appearing unaffected, she couldn’t shake off the look he had given her yesterday.
With her coat draped over her arm, they left the bar and the Future Vision folks scrambled to greet Jason, “Mr. Jason.” “Mr. Jason.”
Chapi 93
“Mr. Jason.”
Estrella
hookind them no mind, but Rachel glared at her maliciously. Estrella responded by
her arms into Jason’s and said cheerily, “Mr. Jason, let’s not waste time. Let’s get back and enjoy ourselves.”
Her
er provocation made Rachel's glare seem like it could tear Estrella apart. Their eyes met, and Estrella dismissed it with a laugh, walking away arm in arm with Jason.
Once outside the bar, she immediately dropped Jason’s arm. His expression darkened in an instant-She was so practical, using him and then tossing him away.
Jason pocketed his hands and looked down at Estrella, “Enjoyed using me?”
Jason didn’t spell it out, but Estrella got the message, replying with a smile, “It was fine.”
“You're so sure I’d take your side and play along?” Jason had been complicit in Estrella’s games all evening. With a wider grin, Estrella confidently said, “You’re my man. Of course, you'd take my Of course, you'd help me.” side.
Estrella’s casual declaration, “You’re my man,” had a noticeable effect on Jason. His eyes. softened considerably from just moments before. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his right hand and gently placed it on the nape of Estrella’s neck, “Bars are a mixed bag. Try to steer clear of them in the future.”
Estrella glanced up at Jason, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. Men were such suckers for flattery, she thought. A few offhand compliments and they were over the
moon.
He had come looking for her several times the night before, even explaining the deal with the necklace. His intentions were as clear as day. Today, she pulled him into acting, giving him an opportunity and a way out. How could he not seize it?
Besides, if he didn’t back her up, she had other tricks up her sleeve. Estrella was not one to play a losing hand. At Jason’s warning, Estrella laughed it off, “I’m no angel, what have | got to be scared of?”
Bryce chimed in, “When Ella steps out, it's the others who should be trembling in their
boots.”
Jason shot Bryce a frosty glance, and immediately Bryce zipped his lips with an exaggerated gesture.
Jason turned back to Estrella, his tone serious, “Don’t kid yourself into thinking you're invincible. Did you know that while you were in the restroom, that Rachel spiked your drink?”
As soon as Jason had entered the bar earlier, he had caught sight of Rachel, slyly 3/4 11:34
tampering with Estrella’s glass.