Chapter 209: Caught Red–Handed by Jared
Julia couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw Randel standing in the same aisle. It was like fate had a funny way of making their paths cross again so soon. On top of that, they were both reaching for the last bag of the same candy brand on the shelf.
Randel was just as astonished as Julia, but his shock hit him much deeper, and he felt his heart skip a beat. They were both reaching for the same kind of candy that Juju had given him the first time they met years ago.
Although he didn’t particularly like sweets, he made a ritual of eating one piece every day. Each piece was a bittersweet reminder that Juju was somehow a part of his life, even though she was no longer around.
When Julia and Randel started talking at once, they awkwardly paused, waiting for one another to take the lead.
Julia finally spoke up to break the awkward pause. “There is only one bag left. Why don’t we divide
it in half?
Randel seemed relieved by the suggestion, so he nodded. “Okay.”
They were waiting by the door as they exited the shop, having just made their purchase. Julia ripped open the bag, and they shared the candy piece by piece. But there was still one piece left when they finished.
“Here, take the last one,” Julia said, offering the final piece to Randel. “You paid, so it’s only fair you get the extra.”
Before Randel could politely decline, Julia placed the candy in his open palm.
A flood of feelings swept through him at the mere thought of it. For a split second, he was taken. back to when Juju, just like Julia, had pressed a piece of candy into his hand. His nose started to itch, a telltale sign he was about to cry.
Although he knew he would never see Juju again, this unexpected moment helped him forget how much he missed her. Suddenly, the ringing of Julia’s phone brought Randel back to reality. Julia pulled it out of her purse, and the screen lit up with Jared’s name.
“Jared? Do you see me?” Julia asked through her phone. Her eyes scanned the roadside until they landed on a familiar–looking Maybach.
Julia’s heart skipped a beat as she realized that Jared was nearby.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, genuinely puzzled.
Jared’s eyes met Julia’s through the car window. They shifted briefly to Randel before settling back on her.
With a tone dripping with nonchalance, he said, “Did I interrupt something between you and Mr. Handsome here?”
Julia sighed internally. ‘Here we go again,’ she thought.
Clearing her throat awkwardly, she hung up the phone and turned to Randel. “I should get going. When are you free next week? I can come over to give you your treatment.”
Holding the candy Julia gave him as if it were some precious relic, Randel snapped back to the present. “No, it’d be easier for me to come to you. Where do you live? I can drive over.”
Julia momentarily pictured Randel walking into the beautiful villa that belonged to her wealthy family. She imagined Jared’s expression hardening at the sight.
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Chapter 209: Caught Red–Handed by Jared
“No, really, it’s no trouble for me to come to you,” Julia insisted, just as the black Maybach started to pull up beside them. “I have family at home. It wouldn’t be convenient.”
Randel turned his attention to the oncoming Maybach. He felt like he’d seen this car before. It reminded him of one of the Brookses‘ personal vehicles.
The memories of little Juju, as she was often called, and how she used to say “JayJay” came flooding back. Hearing her soft voice say Jared’s nickname always left Randel feeling a pang of longing and pain, especially when he saw her with that man.
His train of thought had been interrupted as the Maybach’s window rolled down. The man behind. the car was none other than Jared. Randel’s eyes widened with surprise and recognition.
Seeing his face through the window made it clear that things were getting complicated and that both parties had questions they weren’t prepared to ask or answer. Julia felt her phone vibrate again as she waved goodbye to Randel.
“I’m leaving,” she said, heading toward the sleek black Maybach parked nearby. She opened the door and stepped inside.
Randel stood there, bewildered and full of questions. Isn’t Julia the younger sister of J&C Limited’s CEO? Isn’t she a devotee of that famous healer? How on earth does she know who Jared is?‘
By the time Randel got his reply, the car’s window had already closed. He noticed Jared lean in, kissing Julia’s lips.
‘So that’s their relationship,‘ he thought bitterly.
His mind flashed back to when Juju gave Jared her favorite jade figurine and innocently asked him to marry her. How incredibly ironic everything that was happening!
Juju had given her heart so much, and now she was gone. Although Jared had seemingly moved on, Randel couldn’t help but feel he was the only one who remembered her.
He looked at the sky as if speaking to Juju and murmured, “Don’t worry, I’ll be with you soon.”
When Jared kissed Julia unexpectedly inside the Maybach, she was taken aback. She sprang away, her eyes wide with confusion.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
After a moment, Jared’s gaze returned to Julia from the outside, where Randel was still standing. Her face lit up as she realized Jared was jealous.
“Wow, Mr. Brooks, the all–powerful CEO, getting jealous over a simple chat?” she teased.
Joseph, who was in the driver’s seat, quietly agreed with Julia’s sentiment. His boss’s recent actions had almost made him swerve the car.
Jared’s eyes met Julia’s, unflinching and intense. “If I’m not jealous, then I’m not into you,” he whispered sweetly.
Their eyes met, and their lives seemed incredibly easy and hopelessly complicated at that moment. In that instant, they both realized the complexity of the situation they found themselves in. With Jared’s intense gaze upon her, Julia experienced a subtle shift in her feelings. His adoring stare always made her feel uncomfortable. It wasn’t just him, as the spontaneous confessions she heard from other males often took her by surprise.
Feeling the tension rise, Julia decided to change her focus. She glanced ahead and noticed they were off the route.
“Uh, this isn’t the way to my place,” she said, her voice tinged with curiosity.
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Chapter 209: Caught Red–Handed by Jared
“It’s my mom’s birthday today,” Jared replied, sensing Julia’s attempt to shift the conversation but choosing not to challenge it.
“Your mom’s birthday? Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Should we get a cake?” Julia asked.
Although she knew Yannie wasn’t her biggest fan, Julia could understand the older woman’s skepticism about her. If roles were reversed, she would probably look into any stranger who got too cozy with her family.
“Don’t worry, I’ve already picked up a cake. I even got a gift for her from you,” Jared reassured her. ever the thoughtful partner.
“Thank you,” Julia replied, momentarily putting aside her thoughts about their earlier unexpected kiss. What could she do about it now? Ask him to ‘unkiss‘ her?
Just then, a sudden wave of nausea washed over her. Julia felt her stomach churn uncomfortably and reflexively placed her hand over her abdomen..
“Are you okay?” Jared’s eyes narrowed with concern as he gently wrapped his arm around her waist.
He looked at her hand, which was now resting on her belly.
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