Arrogant Man VS Unyielding Woman

"I don't know. Ron was also rather confused when I asked him. This was why he thought pleading for Calvin would be inappropriate." Maranda's shoulders were hunched in resignation. "Well, don't be too worried." Jean patted Maranda on her shoulder to comfort her,"Perhaps Calvin's mood will get better after he has fun in this trip."

"Hmm. These days, you'd better keep your distance from him! I fear he has said something very annoying to Zed that he shouldn't have," Maranda exhorted Jean in earnest.

"I get it." Maranda's words brought the truth home to Jean. She added, "Please be assured that I will!"

"I can't be assured! How can I be? I just saw Zed not looking in the best of spirits. Did you really quarrel with each other on your way here? Is what Calvin said true?" Maranda was nervously wringing her hands as she asked Jean.

"How is that possible?" Jean had not seen Maranda's question coming. She was stunned. Still, it only took her a minute to regain her composure as she smiled at Maranda and said, "That's alright. Zed usually pull a long face, looking like someone owes him money. Don't take it to heart."

"Hmm. I am taking you to your room. I have specially chosen an apartment with the best view, the most luxurious one of the resort village, for you and Zed." Maranda tried to lighten things up. She flashed a mysterious smile at Jean to get her curious.

"You are behaving so suggestively!" Jean immediately saw through what Maranda was thinking and planning for her and Zed. She said, "Zed and I have been married for a long time. You can arrange any accommodation for us. There's hardly any need to do something special. But how about you and Ron? When are you guys getting engaged?"

"We will be announcing it officially very soon," said Maranda full of glee. "Our parents have met and started to discuss our marriage..." Clearly, Maranda was unable to contain her happiness.

"That's really quick!" Jean looked at her in surprise. Maranda's relationship with Ron had hastened beyond the normal time a relationship takes to reach the marriage stage. A bit perplexed, Jean asked her friend, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"Now, we still haven't selected the date to get married. As soon as the date gets confirmed, you'll be the first one to know." Maranda took both of Jean's hands and squeezed them in excitement. "That's wonderful. Now I'd have to start thinking of a magnificent wedding gift for you two." Jean giggled with joy on hearing such welcome news. She was bursting with happiness for her friend.

'It seems that Maranda, the shy girl who had a crush on John but dared not confess, has grown up overnight.

How time flies! Unknowingly, our life paths have changed immeasurably.

And now, I am going to be a mother, ' Jean thought to herself.

As the thought of all this, Jean was swept by a wave of delight. She threw her arms around Maranda, and sincerely wished her, "Maranda, I am so happy for you! My heart felt congratulations on your coming happy union!" "I will be! Jean, aren't you filled with happiness too?" Maranda replied, thrilled to bits.

"Hmm, may both of us be happy!"

"You hug each other in public without holding back. Aren't you two shy?" Ron teased them as he crept from behind without the two friends noticing him.

"Why have you come here? Are you all settled now?" Maranda immediately stopped embracing Jean and turned to ask Ron with an enquiring glance.

"Yes, I have kept everything in our room." Ron switched looking from Maranda to Jean and asked, "Where are Zed and your friend? Why didn't they come in with you?"

"They might be getting the luggage from the car. I think they should be here soon," Jean spoke to Ron with a broad smile.

As soon as she said this, Zed and Moore entered the place with the bags.

"Zed, you must be tired. Let me carry some for you!" Ron strode forward and took a suitcase from his hands.

"No, I can carry them alright." Zed courtesly declined Ron's favour.

Ron had no choice but to cross his hands that had been extended in Zed's direction. Ron said, "Maranda has arranged this apartment for you, and Mr. Bai's room is just opposite yours." "You can call me Moore." Moore, who stood on Zed's left, looked at Ron with a warm smile.

"Okay, Moore. I am Ron."

Ron too smiled back and shook Moore's hand with an infectious gusto.

"Nice to meet you, Ron," Moore replied politely.

"Jean, you and Zed can head to your room first. Please tell the customer service specialists if you need anything else." Maranda affectionately winked at Jean and then slipped away with Ron.

As soon as they aproached the door, Jean stopped right outside the door. A bad feeling tugged at her heart and didn't let her go in. Cautiously staring at the door, she stood still and silent. "What's wrong?" Zed asked Jean, looking at her in confusion.

Jean was still slightly angry from their quarrel in the car and thus, didn't bother to reply to Zed. Instead, she extended her hand to push the door open.

Walking into the corridor, Jean could see the big king-size bed in front of her. There were windows on all sides of the room and the sea glittered in the afternoon sun. Looking back at the bed, she saw that it was filled with red roses. Jean slightly chuckled. She didn't know whether to lose her temper or simply laugh at this.

Regretfully, Maranda's kindness would be wasted.

Seeing Zed come in with their bags, the resentment she nurtured in her heart was now throbbing. It was impossible for Jean to forgive Zed so easily.

Jean snorted coldly and felt exhausted by such complex feelings. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Zed baffle at seeing a bed full of roses too.

After breathing in the room for a couple of minutes, Jean slightly relaxed. She unzipped her duffel bag and took out her toiletries.

As she reached for the suitcase, a hand swiftly held hers. Jean jumped in shock. Finally, she looked at Zed.

He instead was looking at her with tender affection.

"What are you doing...? Don't look at me so disgustingly. Don't think that I will forgive you if you yield. Zed, you distrust and smear me, which indicates that you don't show me any respect. Since you don't respect me, I won't show you any respect either..." Before Jean could finish her words, Zed took her face in both his hands and lowered his head to kiss her small rosy lips.

"Uh..." Jean drew in a sharp breath for being kissed so unexpectedly. Once she calmed down, she made her hand into a fist and swung it at Zed. As he caught hold of her slender wrist, she struggled against his grip and said, "Let go of me! Zed, are you mad? What did the doctor tell you? You can't touch me in the first three months of my pregnancy..."

"I know that. But I just kissed you. Don't worry. Nothing will happen." Zed was a little sexually aroused as he saw Jean's blushed face.

But he was making every effort to control himself. Jean's voice got a little hoarse, arousing him all the more.

"What do you mean when you say nothing would happen?" Jean was alarmed and feared the meaning behind Zed's words. She warned Zed, "Don't think I will forgive you. I will absolutely not forgive you if any problem occurs to my baby!"

Jean said furiously.

"Okay, do not forgive me." Zed stretched his hands out to hug Jean and assure her of his good intentions. He inhaled deeply and said, "I admit I got so jealous and upset that I didn't notice my manner of speaking, and inevitably, made you sad. But Jean, you have to believe me. All that I have ever done is for your good."

"For my good?" Jean became angry on hearing Zed's words. Then, she continued, "Do you think men should be suspected for having illicit motives just because they strike a conversation with me?"

"No, I don't," Zed said to Jean seriously, looking straight into her eyes. "But I really think Calvin is doubtful. You should keep your distance from him. Okay?"

"Zed, why do I feel that you don't like him? Did you know Calvin from somewhere?" Jean couldn't help probing Zed on this as she noticed Zed looking dead serious when it came to Calvin. Zed stared at Jean, with a conflict going through his mind.

After a long while, he sighed and said, "Perhaps as Calvin said, he knows me, but I have forgotten who he is!"

"Fine. Stay arrogant and aloof as always!" Jean snorted in contempt, and said, "He isn't much inferior to you, but you pretend that he doesn't even exist."000000