Arrogant Man VS Unyielding Woman

"Ronald, wait..." Edna was standing and talking to someone else when she saw Ronald running outside. She forced her way out from the crowd and called his name.

But he seemed oblivious to her call as he continued to walk and soon disappeared.

Edna slumped her shoulders in disappointment and looked back at Zed and Jean intently.

She was in deep thought, and in slow motion she looked up and aimed her eyes to Jean while still holding her red crystal goblet.

"I didn't know you and Ronald were classmates," Edna frankly stated in cold voice as she gazed at Jean.

Jean was somewhat irritated with her disconcerting remark. She looked away to hide her uneasiness.

'What a spiteful woman! What do you care if he used to be my classmate?

And though he's your nephew, it's clearly none of your business!' Jean thought scornfully.

Insensitive to Jean's passive behavior, Edna continued, "That child always felt inferior and was often bullied by his peers, so my sister and her husband decided to move to Canada to give him a fresh start. You know, Ronald is a sensible boy. He is now a self-assured man and he definitely has lived up to his parents' expectations. He's not only smart in his studies but he's into active lifestyle. He also exercises a lot to keep fit!

He became better and wiser through the years. And we all know there's only one lucky girl he cares so much. He did everything to impress her. And I just learned today that the girl is you, Jean. I don't care what you just said to him, but I hope you should be kind to him even if you turned him down. He's madly in love with you!" Edna's voice had lowered down as she made a plea to Jean.

Jean blinked her eyes with surprise. These words didn't seem to fit as what she knew Edna to be, forbidding and heartless.

She composed herself and answered calmly, "I would hurt him more if I continue to be closer and kind to him. I'm sorry, Edna. I may have reacted differently and he can't accept it for now, but this is the best way. Sometimes, we have to be cruel to be kind. And he will forget me as soon as he recovers."

"I get your point, but I'm afraid the child will have a hard time accepting and that's what I'm so concerned about. He built his world around you..." Edna furrowed her brows with worry.

"We can't be sure of that and people would change. And besides, we haven't seen for ages! I don't think I would still matter that much to him. I'm sure he is different now and who knows, he may have someone special in his life one day," Jean looked at Edna and convinced her sincerely.

"Well, if that's what you think, I have nothing to say." Edna sighed in despair and looked back at Jean. "It's done and what I have to say won't matter anymore."

She then drank her wine, nodded to them and quickly turned away. She left them with an aura of forbidding, something that was typical of her.

Jean watched her leave and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Jean, I didn't know you have a loyal admirer," a smiling Avery walked up to Jean and teased her.

Jean rolled her eyes in response. "Not now, Avery. It's not funny."

"But you dealt with it so easily. I think you enjoyed it too," Zed snorted, half smiling.

Jean went closer to Zed and looked up to him with an angry stare. "You think I handled it wrong, don't you? Tell me, what was the best way to handle it then? And what should I have done to appease you?"

'I was so heartless to Ronald because I don't want you to feel replaced. I love you and I would always choose you.

I did hurt him and I feel so guilty now, 'thought Jean.

She knew that though it was clear to Zed that she didn't like Ronald at all, he would be jealous if a man gave her attention, more so, professed his love for her.

So she had to be cautious. It would best to be frank to Ronald even it would hurt him.

After all, all was fair in love and war.

She could only hope that he would recover soon and move on with his life. Ronald was an attractive man and there were lots of pretty girls around that might catch his fancy. Unfortunately, Zed was still not convinced.

Jean got impatient with the thought of this. She stared at Zed, waiting for his reaction.

Zed looked back at her, wrinkled his forehead and frowned. "To appease me? So you did that just to appease me?"

"Yes! Otherwise, you will be too jealous and I don't want us to fight over some petty things," she answered quickly as the tension rose between them.

"Jean!" Zed was so furious now that he grabbed her by the chin and asked in low yet firm and commanding voice, "Do you mean that if I was not here, you would accept him? Did you want him to come chasing you?" "What? No! I will never do such thing!" Jean snapped his hand off from her chin as she could feel the sting of his anger there. She was so mad at him for overreacting that she continued to stare at him angrily. "Zed, Jean. Please don't argue anymore!" Avery pleaded and stopped them as she saw that they were on the brink of fighting.

The couple didn't hear a word from Avery nor did they care what people might think of them. "You tell me now! If I was not here, what would you do?" Zed kept his eyes fixed on Jean and asked again.

"I would give him a chance! Is that what you want to hear?" Jean could feel her head pounding with anger as she fired back and screamed at Zed.

People around them immediately looked on their way with curiosity. Avery looked up and smiled apologetically to give an impression that everything was under control but deep inside, she felt terrible to be in this mess. 'Oh, Jesus. They were just talking earlier and now they are fighting like cats and dogs.'

And just like an answered prayer, Avery heard a familiar voice and she let out a sigh of relief. "What's wrong?

I was only gone for few minutes. Anything I need to know?"

"Moore, I'm glad you're back!" Avery immediately rushed to Moore and gave him a hint.

Moore already knew something was wrong between Zed and Jean, even before Avery could tell him.

"What's the matter?" Moore looked at Avery and asked her casually.

Avery could't quite understand how

Ine

she felt at this moment. She was happy because he was here to help her fix the problem yet she was worried because she knew he just talked to his father and wondered what had transpired after their meeting.

Her beautiful eyes fixed on Moore's handsome face. There, she could not see nor sense any feelings from him, and that made her feel so uneasy.

But this was not a good time to ask

about that. Instead, she smiled weakly and explained, "Jean rejected Ronald after he professed his love for her When Zed learned about this, he got so jealous and now, they are fighting with each other.."

When Moore heard this, he just took a deep breath.

'I know how much Zed loves Jean, so I would understand his anger if Jean didn't reject Ronald.

But what's the point of it, if Jean already rejected Ronald and obviously, chose him over Ronald?

It is out of her control for any other man to love her. It's not her fault. Zed should understand that, ' thought Moore.

"What's up?" Moore approached them, glanced at Zed, and then asked Jean.

Jean was so furious that she decided it would be best for her to keep quiet. So instead, she threw an angry glance at Zed and turned her head.

Zed's face dimmed with anger when he saw her hostility. He expanded his chest and said angrily, "If I was not here today, she would have accepted another man's love for her..."

Moore was shocked to hear that.

Then he moved his head and looked

at Jean's stubborn face. He knew

right away that it was a mere

misunderstanding. He assured Zed with a smile and said, "You

misunderstood Jean, Zed. You have been together for so long. You two should know each other's character clearly. She will choose you over and over again. Why would she accept other man's love?"

'If this weren't the case, I wouldn't leave your house to avoid Jean and instead I'll pursue her.

I would't be so heartbroken because I didn't stand a chance against you, Zed, ' Moore thought bitterly. 0000