Arrogant Man VS Unyielding Woman

'I've already said that I don't feel like eating. Why couldn't you just leave me alone for a while? Jean, do you really have to keep asking?' asked Moore helplessly in his mind and sighed internally.

Moore and Avery soon arrived at the head of the stairs. And he found that Jean was standing there with a frown, looking down on the stairs with helplessness written all over her face. At the realization that Jean might only pretend to be pitiful in order to make him believe her, he was kind of irritated internally. But still, he felt really bad at the sight of her looking sad. He couldn't help but get lost in his thought for a few seconds.

'I've been too emotional just now.

I should have thought of Jean's foot. It has been swelling since yesterday.

As she wants to go down the stairs, her pain will definitely increase if she attempts it. It is my fault that I didn't think of it earlier.

I cannot pretend to be indifferent to her, regardless of the reason she and Avery called me here. Now that I've seen her in trouble, there is no way for me to leave her behind,' struggled Moore in his mind. And finally, he decided to help Jean to get downstairs. After letting out a sigh, he walked towards Jean and looked at her with a peaceful face as he always did.

Meanwhile, Jean looked up at Moore and found that he was looking at her. There flashed a frustrated look in her eyes.

'Why does Moore's face look like it contains a lot of meanings? It is bottling up a lot of emotions in it.

Aren't there helplessness, struggles, compromise and heartache in it? Oh, Moore...' thought Jean all flustered.

At the thought of this, Jean bowed her head in shame and dared not to look at him anymore.

'He must have known the tricks that I am playing. How could he not know? He is so clever,' sighed a guilty Jean internally. She knew he could see right through her.

But then she looked up at Moore defiantly as if she took a different turn in her thought suddenly.

'What is so wrong about fixing him up with Avery?

I am just doing this for his own good, aren't I?' Jean said to herself.

Noticing the guilty look on Jean's face, his heart felt a sudden ache. Moore could only sigh with helplessness written all over his face. He shook his head as if he could read Jean's mind. Shift in her thought was so evident to Moore. However, he had made up his mind to help and was about to carry her.

"Wait..." said Jean suddenly as she stepped back a little bit. She looked at him with some embarrassment on her face and added, "I just need your hand for support. I think I can manage with a little help. My wound is much better now. It's just that it will hurt to exert too much pressure."

"Even if you walk with my help, you'll get pain in your wound," replied Moore with an impatient look on his face. And after his words, he quickly carried her with his arms and went straight downstairs, leaving her no time to refuse his offer.

Jean was in shock and she looked back hastily to find that Avery was looking at them. There was a look of utter shock on her face.

'Oh crap!' uttered Jean in her heart.

She was all in a fluster at the thought that Avery might have misunderstood them.

But Moore was carrying her and had a duty to do. So she decided it was the best to not disturb him.

By now, Jean's face had turned crimson red. She could only watch Avery standing alone at the head of the stairs. Even from far, she could clearly see Avery's disappointment.

"Moore, please let me down!" exclaimed Jean hastily as she could not take it any longer.

"We're almost there," replied Moore with a blank look on his face. He did not seem to accept her suggestion at all.

"But..." said Jean and stopped suddenly. She wanted to say something, but stayed silent as she didn't know what to say. Truth be told, Jean felt completely trapped.

"But what?" asked Moore.

"Well, nothing," replied Jean, and this time in a dull tone. She did not expect Moore to ask for details, but by now she seemed to have accepted the situation. With a downcast expression, Jean gave up struggling.

After getting down the stairs, Moore carefully put Jean down and helped her to stand steadily on her feet. Then he found that Avery was not following behind them. So he looked up to the second floor.

Noticing that Moore was looking up at her, a sudden smile came across Avery's face and then she hurried downstairs.

Jean kept her eyes fixated on Avery and wanted to explain eagerly. But she knew this wasn't the appropriate time for explanation as Moore was there at the same time. Instead of speaking, Jean remained silent and looked at Avery. "Let's go for lunch! I'm hungry now!" Avery said to Jean with a smile on her face.

She looked happy, but Jean was confused. Only a few seconds ago, Avery stood at the head of the stairs with despair and desolation. 'She looks like a different person,' thought Jean.

Jean looked at Avery in surprise and wondered the reason behind the sudden change. And finally she concluded that Avery was doing this because she didn't want Moore to know about her love. Finally, Jean put up a smile on her face and replied, "Let's go! I'm hungry too!"

As she was speaking, Jean was about to hold Avery's hand.

But to her astonishment, Avery suddenly stepped back. Jean could only look at Avery in surprise and embarrassment. Feeling rejected, she withdrew her hand.

"I'm sorry, but I don't like to be too close to others," said Avery as she looked at Jean apologetically.

"Never mind, I was rude. Let's go into the dining room!"

said Jean with a smile. And then she headed for the dining room.

All of a sudden, the smile on Jean's face froze as she walked past Avery. And there appeared a thoughtful look instead. It looked like she was contemplating about a serious matter.

'Why is Avery acting so forlorn? Is she mad at me because Moore carried me?" wondered Jean.

However, now that the misunderstanding had been created between them, there was nothing Jean could do right now. She decided she had to find an opportunity to explain the matter to Avery. And for that, she needed to get Avery alone.

Clever as he was, Moore had long realized that there must have been something wrong between Jean and Avery at this moment. Seeing the weird interactions between the two of them, it was evident to him. But still he chose to remain calm and let them deal with it on their own.

The three of them entered the dining room and was dazzled by the sight. They found that the table was full of delicious food items.

"Wow, they smell good! And all of them look so delicious!" exclaimed Avery excitedly as she sat down. With her eyes fixated on the foods on the table, her face lit up with surprise and she added, "I've heard that Chinese food is very delicious. It turns out to be true today." As she was speaking, Avery smiled at Moore and said, "Moore, you have to taste them. If my memory serves me right, these all are your favorite!"

After her speech, she served Moore affably many delicious dishes in his bowl.

On the other hand, Moore couldn't help frowning unconsciously at Avery's acts. He wanted to say no to her but was afraid his rejection would hurt her further. Only a few minutes ago she was sad and if he said something then she may leave the house. So he could only put up with it in silence.

"Avery, how do you know what food Moore likes to eat?" asked Jean as she deliberately showed a surprised expression and looked at Avery.

'Avery, I know the answer to my question. When a girl truly cares for a boy, she makes it a point to know everything about him. It is evident that you have always liked him, ' thought Jean.

Moreover, Avery had known Moore for so many years, thus, it was reasonable for her to know more about Moore's preferences.

This was the reason why Avery felt so jealous when she watched Jean get carried by Moore. Avery wanted to be the only girl who received love from him.

She knew Moore well so she knew it was nearly impossible for him to make such an intimate action to an opposite sex if he hadn't cared for her. The gesture of carrying Jean hurt her a big deal.

'She must have misunderstood the relationship between Moore and me after that. No wonder she has started to dislike me. Maybe it never occurred to her that Moore and I are just friends, ' thought Jean sadly. She didn't want to lose a friend because of this. And she knew she couldn't explain it now. She had to wait, but she felt impatient inside.

"I had dinner with Moore a few times while I was learning Chinese from him. And I've known all about his likes and dislikes in food. But at that time, we could only go to the small Chinese restaurants in China Town. And the food we ate before tasted nothing compared to the ones present here," explained Avery with a smile.

"I see," said Jean as she nodded her head. She then looked at Moore and added, "It seems that the connection between you two has become tight ever since Avery started learning Chinese from you, Moore. Avery, why did you want to learn Chinese?" "Well, I like Chinese culture, as well as its local conditions and customs, and so on... I like China a lot. Whenever I have a chance, I want to come to China and see it with my eyes. And now, my dream finally came true,"

replied Avery as she looked at Moore with a genuine smile. The cheerful smile appeared on the corner of her mouth and Jean realized she was in a good mood. Jean let out a small sigh of relief.

At the sight of Avery looking at Moore, Jean was so happy. She realized that Avery's feelings for Moore was so strong. She looked quickly away from the two of them because she didn't want to interrupt them. Meanwhile, she was so glad for Moore in her heart. 'I've known about Avery's feelings for Moore is so deep right after I met her for the first time. It is so evident from the way she looks at him.

But it never occurred to me that Avery has been devoted to Moore ever since she was in college.

Yet it makes sense. If she had not been so deeply involved, she wouldn't have been so into him right now,"

thought Jean internally with a sigh. With this realization, her worries about the explanation to Avery gradually dissipated. Then she buried her head and began to devour the food in her plate.☐☐☐☐☐