The morning sun in Bel Diran was perfect, but as its rays fell across his face in Hathaway's room, a chill crept into Jenkins's heart. He stamred, unwilling to speak the crude words, but his hesitation was enough to tell Hathaway everything she needed to know.
"Jenkins!"
She completely pushed the matter of Candle Mr. from her mind, wrapped her arms around Jenkins's neck, and bit down hard on his lip. It was a fierce sort of kiss, one that actually drew a speck of blood.
"I knew this day would co. I even convinced myself to accept it, but I'm still so angry..."
After the kiss, the color finally returned to Hathaway's face. She looked regretfully at the mark on Jenkins's lip. Her anger, in truth, stemd more from the mory of Alexia, who, during their last eting, had taken her final bottle of the Witch's Kiss.
"It's okay. This is my fault."
Jenkins wiped a hand across his mouth, and the mark vanished instantly.
"I knew you'd end up in bed with the... woman from Ruen sooner or later. I won't be like this next ti. I think you should arrange for us to et as soon as possible. It might be easier for to accept all of this if we can get to know each other."
In the end, Jenkins never did figure out what Hathaway had truly wanted to ask. He, in turn, asked the red-haired young woman why she had co to Bel Diran, but she rely said she was traveling and ntioned nothing about him.
Jenkins wasn't sure if Hathaway and Briny knew about the Williams family's situation, but at such a sensitive ti, it was inevitable that his mind would race with possibilities.
Since Hathaway wouldn't say, he didn't press the issue. After chatting about his recent activities in Bel Diran and setting a ti for their next eting, he turned and took his leave.
He then carefully knocked on Briny's door and slipped inside.
About a month and a half ago, Jenkins had unexpectedly traveled from Nolan to Ruen, and he had seen Hathaway several tis during that period. But for the golden-haired young woman, it had been a very long ti since she and Jenkins had last t and spoken.
The mont the door closed, they were in each other's arms. Chocolate remained perched on the windowsill, looking as gloomy as ever, having only shifted its position slightly from a few minutes ago.
Neither of them spoke. As Jenkins held Briny, he could almost hear her heart pounding. The scent of her perfu was enchanting, a delicate fragrance sowhere between soft florals and fresh apples. Likewise, the blonde woman could sll the scent on Jenkins. It was distinct, and one she knew all too well.
"Were you just with Hathaway?"
Briny suddenly asked this question while they were still embracing.
A jolt of alarm went through Jenkins, but he quickly regained his composure.
"Yes, I just ca from her room."
"I knew it. You two... I saw it a long ti ago, back when the three of us would et at the club. The way you two would look at each other, you always had this unspoken understanding..."
They remained in their embrace, so Jenkins couldn't see Briny's expression. But he had a feeling the proud, blonde woman wasn't angry... at least, that's what he sensed.
"I..."
He didn't know what to say. The sa wave of guilt he'd felt with Hathaway washed over him again.
"Sothing definitely happened between you and Hathaway while I wasn't around. Jenkins, I missed you so much these past two months you were away from Nolan. I know Hathaway missed you too; she couldn't hide it."
"I..."
Jenkins felt his conscience sting with even greater reproach.
"Just now... did you kiss her?"
She asked in a soft voice.
It wasn't an easy question to answer. Jenkins wasn't sure if being bitten fiercely qualified as a "kiss".
But he didn't need to answer. Briny decided to find the answer for herself. She pushed him away just enough to break the tight embrace, then suddenly cupped his face in her hands and kissed him.
Watching this, the cat turned its head away in disdain, judging Jenkins to be a real scoundrel.
"Yes, you did kiss her. I knew it. You two hadn't seen each other in two months either. Of course you would kiss if you were alone."
Briny spoke only after they separated. Her beautiful erald eyes gazed at Jenkins, and in their reflection, he could see his own ashad expression.
Before this, Hathaway had known about him and Briny, but Briny had never known about him and Hathaway. Jenkins had no idea if this sudden revelation would conflict with whatever "plan" Hathaway had ntioned.
In truth, the last ti the three of them had visited the backstage of the Silver Jasmine Opera Troupe, Briny had already seen Jenkins and Hathaway embracing. She was only saying this now to vent the frustration in her heart.
She felt he should have co to see her first.
"I was wrong."
"Yes, you were," Briny repeated, then hugged him again.
"You and Hathaway... when did it all start?"
"It's hard to say exactly. It just... started," he explained awkwardly.
"I'll speak to Hathaway about this later. She owes an explanation."
Briny's voice was barely a whisper. Jenkins held her awkwardly, a little worried that the red-haired woman would make him pay for this the next ti they t.
"And our agreent from before is still valid."
"Agreent?"
"If you are willing to marry Hathaway, I am still willing to be your mistress... For us, that might be the best possible ending."
Hearing this, a storm of emotions churned within Jenkins. He held Briny even tighter. The blonde woman must have sensed his feelings because she didn't say any more, simply resting quietly in his arms.
"I will change this. I'll find a better ending," he said in a low voice.
"Jenkins, just hearing you say that is enough for ."
The blonde woman seed a little lancholic, but she didn't show the anger Jenkins had expected. She had likely already prepared herself to accept this reality, but she was still saddened by his greed.
They exchanged a few more sweet nothings and talked about their recent travels. The ladies' tour group was scheduled to return to the hotel around five this afternoon, so Briny invited Jenkins to co by in the evening to talk about his adventures in the northern kingdom.
They hadn't seen each other in a long ti, so Jenkins naturally agreed to the arrangent.
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