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Chatper 116
Chatper 116
Chatper 116
Chapter 116 Jason seethed with barely contained rage. There was a mixture of amusement and annoyance dancing in Estrella’s eyes as she comforted him, “They didn’t touch me. It was over my clothes.”
“Over your clothes, huh? Were you wearing jeans? Did you have socks on?” Jason’s voice was edged with sarcasm. He hadn’t touched her that much, and they hadn’t shared enough intimate moments, but now these nobodies had their hands on her. Thinking about this, he felt so uncomfortable in his heart..
The bottom line was, even if he had her countless times, it didn’t give anyone else the right to lay a finger on her. Not even for a massage.
Jason was jealous. Estrella sighed heavily. She patted her forehead, at a loss with him. “I’m a married woman. For heaven’s sake, those guys aren’t even hitched. Who’s taking advantage of whom is still up for debate! It’s not like I’m at a loss here.”
Estrella’s twisted logic didn’t phase Jason, who turned to the guys giving Bryce a rubdown. “Why’s Bryce so quiet all of a sudden?”
No sooner had Jason finished his sentence than Bryce resumed his wailing.
Estrella was at her wit's end — exasperated by Jason and driven mad by Bryce’s noise. “Estrella, Estrella, save me. I’m dying here.”
Bryce’s voice was pitiful, and Jesse looked upon him with such sympathy you'd think she was about to send flower to him for a peaceful afterlife.
Seeing this, Estrella turned to Jason. “What do you suggest we do, Jason?”
It wasn’t Bryce’s pain that concerned Estrella. It was the fact that he was too loud. If she just walked away and left Bryce like this, it would seem awfully cold. So, she turned to negotiate with Jason.
Jason snorted coldly, “Your mess, but you’re asking me?”
Estrella was ready to throw hands. It was just a massage. What had she done wrong? Did massage parlors exist only for men’s pleasure?
Still, he had just admitted he’d never been so carefree outside, never letting others touch him. She didn’t know what to say to that.
And who would have thought Jason was such a prude? After a moment, Estrella said, “Fine, if you go to the massage parlor, | won’t say a word.”
She didn’t really want to agree to this because she never bothered him about where he went. She just got a foot soak and a massage, and he was acting like it was a crime.
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Chapter 116
If she ever really stepped out on him, all hell would break loose.
Jason’s cold reply was, “I’m not as open-minded as you are, and certainly not as disloyal.” Estrella burst out laughing. “Okay, okay, so I’m disloyal. You, on the other hand, are the paragon of loyalty. Shall | give you a trophy for that?”
After a bit of back and forth, Estrella thought she saw Jason’s game. Crossing her arms over her chest, she said, “From now on, I'll keep to myself. | won’t sneak looks at other men, won't flirt with pretty boys or male models, won't let male masseurs touch me. Happy now?”
It all boiled down to him wanting her to draw a line in the sand. If it made him happy, she’d draw as many lines as he wanted. After Estrella finished, Jason gestured to the suited manager. “Sean, bring paper and a pen.”
Sean, quick to obey, brought the items posthaste.
Jason gestured to Estrella with a nod of his chin toward the paper and pen. “Write down your promises.”
Estrella felt like she was back in school being told to write lines. She stared at Jason, who looked like he wouldn’t hesitate to make Bryce’s life hell if she didn’t comply. So, she
unfolded her arms and walked over. “Fine, |’ll write it.” It was all childish to her. They were adults. Who took this stuff seriously?
After scribbling her promise not to visit the massage parlor, Estrella handed the paper to Jason, who said, “Add ‘no pretty boys, no male model masseurs.”
Gritting her teeth, Estrella elaborated her pledge, even adding a few extra lines of fidelity.
Jason seemed satisfied with her sincerity and had someone bring over an ink pad for her to sign and stamp it. Jesse watched her with pity. Jason became more and more of an enigma. It seemed like he was starting to care about Estrella. The display was unmistakably one of jealousy.
Jason pocketed Estrella’s written promises and gave the manager a cue. The masseurs stopped their work on Bryce.
When they stopped, Bryce cried out even more pitifully, reaching out for Estrella. It was as if Bryce was cursed, always at the mercy of his brother. He was convinced that if you split Jason’s heart open, it would be pitch black.
Bryce’s agony was soothed only slightly when Estrella gave his hand a comforting
squeeze. But then Jason shot him a look that made Bryce withdraw his hand as if it was on fire.
After the manager and masseurs left, Bryce still lay sobbing on the massage bed, looking like he’d just been through the wringer. Jesse, ever the sympathetic soul, said, “Bryce, can you get up? I'll take
you home.”
Bryce sniffled, “I'll try.” But as he attempted to stand, his strength failed him, and he collapsed to the floor with a thud. Estrella and Jesse frowned, moving to help Bryce up, but Jason warned coldly, “Estrella, touch him and see what happens.” Hearing Jason’s threat, Bryce quickly grabbed onto Jesse. “Estrella, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”
But inside, he was seething. “Damn you, Jason. The moment you're not around, I’m going to lean on Ella, hug Ella, and hell, share a bed with Ella.”
As Estrella faced Jason’s intimidation, she turned and kicked him. Jason was unfazed, grabbing her by the nape of the neck. “You'll pay for this later.” With a firm grip on Estrella’s neck, he steered her towards the exit.
“But | haven’t changed out of my uniform,” Estrella protested.
“You're brave enough to walk into a massage parlor, but afraid someone might see you in the uniform?” Jason countered. His tone was laced with sarcasm.
Estrella fell silent.
Bryce watched with trembling legs as Jason escorted Estrella away, wondering if she would ever have the courage to return to the massage parlor, or if she’d ever want another massage. As for himself, he was certain — he wouldn't dare come back, and wouldn't want massage again.
Moments later, after Jason had ushered Estrella into the passenger seat of the car, Jesse helped Bryce down and exchanged a brief greeting with Estrella. Then, Jesse drove off with Bryce first.
As soon as Jesse’s car roared to life, Bryce unleashed a string of curses. “Jason, screw him, his granddad and everyone in his family. When he’s not around, I’m going to set my Ella with another guy, just to spite him.”
up
Jesse, with her hands firmly on the steering wheel, and her short hair fluttering in the breeze that whistled through the window, chuckled. “But isn’t his granddad also your granddad? His family, your family?” Then she added, “As long as you have the guts to stir thé pot, I’ve got your back.”
Bryce was fuming and wanted to continue his rant, but then it dawned on him that he’d only be insulting his own family, so he gave up resigning himself to his misery and started to complain about his pain again.
In the back of the jous Mavbach Estrella hoted Jason’s stern demeanor, even after
having put Bryce in his place and securing her written promise. “You've won, so why the sad face?” she asked.