Chapter: 16

But he didn't need to study; he just rested his head on the desk and slept, waiting for his family's driver to pick him up.

Bethany vaguely recalled that Jonathan always liked to wear basketball clothes under his school uniform. His bright eyes and short hair made him look like a typical teenager, but his demeanor set him apart as someone special. He wasn't just tall and handsome; he was also the top student in school.

Countless girls pursued him and sent him love letters.

Never in her wildest dreams did Bethany imagine she'd end up entangled with Jonathan, let alone marry him.

Of course, she was keenly aware that this marriage had nothing to do with Love-what it had to do with, she didn't know.

After passing through a bustling street in Odonset, the car finally pulled to a stop in front of a humble restaurant.

As if on cue, Jonathan slowly opened his eyes, and Bethany quickly looked away.

He got out of the car first. Suddenly, his phone rang. Bethany figured it had something to do with work, so she stayed in the car to let him take the call in private.

When she looked up, she met the gaze of Jonathan's assistant in the rearview mirror.

"Miss Holt, I was the one who called you back with Mr. Bates' phone."

Bethany's smile stiffened. "Ah, thank you so much..."

"Just doing my job! Mr. Bates was in a meeting at the time, but when I informed him you called, he immediately dropped what he was doing. He tried to call you back, but you never picked up, so he rushed to the hospital."

Bethany didn't know if she was imagining things, but there seemed to be a hint of flattery in the assistant's tone.

He must've misunderstood the nature of her relationship with Jonathan, assuming she was very important to him.

Bethany didn't know how to respond. "Well, Mr. Bates is a good man."

Bethany waited until Jonathan put down the phone before exiting the car.

"This restaurant serves Brokdon cuisine," he remarked as soon as she caught up to him.

His voice was deep and melodic, like a cello.

“Really?” Bethany was a little surprised. Did Jonathan suddenly remember that they were seat mates in junior high school?

Or perhaps he had known all along, and just never showed it.

Standing next to Jonathan, Bethany felt so out of place. He was dressed impeccably in a suit and tie-clearly someone who had life favoring him-while she was dressed in casual clothes that were a bit wrinkled from having fallen asleep in a chair.

After following him into the restaurant and sitting down, Bethany's unease only grew.

What were they supposed to talk about now? Reminiscing about middle school wasn't an option, was it?

While she twiddled her thumbs in embarrassment, Jonathan, on the other hand, seemed perfectly at ease. He acted as though he was just having dinner with a friend he saw every day. Rolling up his sleeves, he raised his hand and called the waiter over to order a few dishes.