Chapter 417 - We need to talk (6)

"Just eat your food," she said, nodding toward the steak.

"Are you... sure?"

"Hmm..." she nodded. "Don't worry about me."

"Ups to you, then," he shrugged and reached for the fork and knife. She was the one who insisted on him having the steak so he obeyed.

Her wish was his command.

They ate their meal silently. None of them opened the topic again. Both shared the same thought that they did not want to ruin the peace.

They spent almost half an hour just to finish their meal. Jeremy was the first to finish with Ryn followed behind five minutes later.

They both pushed the plate away and patted their lips with the napkin. Ryn put it neatly on the plate while Jeremy just dropped it beside the plate. Jeremy pressed the button to call for the waiter.

When the same woman came, he told her to clear the table and handed his card to pay. Ryn, on the other hand, asked for another glass of red wine. He just asked to refill his empty glass.

Once the waiter sent their drink order and handed his card along with the receipt, she, again, closed the door to give the couple privacy.

"Okay, can we start now?" she asked rather matter of factly. So serious it brought a frown on his face.

His face changed. It seemed like the 'honeymoon' was over.

"Why so serious, love?" he asked.

She held her glass of red wine and swirled it slowly. She ignored the gulp coming from Jeremy who was eyeing the alcohol.

"Do you need a glass of wine?" she asked with a c.o.c.k of an eyebrow.

"Do we need to be serious?" he asked sadly.

"We need to have a talk. A real talk with no interruption by others," she said with crossed arms against her chest. Her back leaned against the chair.

He sighed.

"You still haven't forgiven me, then?" he asked slowly.

"Is our relationship this crazy, J? I found myself being expected to turn into a woman from the old days, to only listen to what the man said and are not allowed to have my own thought," she cried.

His jaw dropped. How could she even think that way? He only wanted the best for both of them. He did not want to control her like an ancient man. Why didn't she understand that?

Why couldn't she understand that?

She sighed. She could guess what inside his mind. It seemed like he was still in denial. His ego was so big until he could not see the truth in her words.

"Come on, J. Please open your eyes wide and look into our relationship. Look at how you treat me and how you want me to act?" she was almost begging, frustrating with his stubbornness.

Was this the end of their relationship?

Truly the end?

"I don't find anything wrong with our relationship. We are good together," he argued.

"I guess this is getting us nowhere," she murmured as she stood up.

"Love, listen," he quickly followed suit, standing up, and rushed to her. He stopped her from walking away. "We'll discuss. We'll talk. Please, don't leave yet."

She rubbed her throbbing temple. How could they talk when he could not think without involving his ego? She already lowered her ego and ready to talk this through with him.

Why couldn't he do the same?

Why must it be her all the time?

Why, in this relationship, she has to give in to his demand all the time?

This one-sided expectation in their relationship was unfair to her and to their relationship. Was this really what he wanted in their life? Her being a puppet? A mannequin?

No!

He used his strength to push her back to sit. He even went to the door to lock it.

She watched him in disbelief. Was he going to lock her here until he got what he wanted? Even if it meant forever? She did not think she would give in this time. She would not let him overwhelm her until she gave up and followed what he wanted. 

No more.

"What do you want me to do? I'd do anything for you. Anything," he asked desperately when he noticed the lack of enthusiasm in her face. Was she really giving up on them?

She shook her head silently. Her arms still crossed against her chest. She was so frustrated with the way this discussion was heading, she actually thought this idea was a mistake. A huge mistake.

"Please, love. Let's talk," he begged.

She closed her eyes, now refused to talk.

What else could she say when he, in his mind, still thought that he did nothing wrong?

He stepped back with a heavy sigh. He waved his hands and said, "Okay, fine. I'll send you home. Tomorrow I'll pick you up."

She nodded. This was the best. It was no use for them to keep staying here when there was no discussion involved. They would end up fighting more and everyone would know about this. Worst, it would spread to the media and she and even her family would get disturbed by this.

And...

She hated arguing with him. Maybe... he could use the time to think about this over.

Without asking, he leaned down to get her phone on the table and put it into his pocket. This way, she would not insist on going back on her own. He planned to coax her more on the way.

She did not argue nor tried to get her phone back. He would return it back to her once she reached home. Unfortunately...

"I... I'm staying at the hotel," she choked out when he almost reached the door.

He paused. He turned to look at her, c.o.c.king an eyebrow. 

What did she say?

.She just smiled weakly. She did not want to explain because she knew it would lead to another reason for their argument. She just hoped for him to understand the reason why without she having to explain.

His lips formed into a straight line but he did not ask anything. He sighed and took her hand, well, tried to hold her hand but she kept both hands close to her sides.

"I'll send you... whenever you want to go." Although he was hurt by her refusal, he still managed to control his temper.

"Let's go."

She was relieved when he did not comment upon her announcement. She walked slowly along the hallway, heading straight to the exit. Jeremy already handed his card when he called the waiter to clear the table earlier and even received it before they started back their so-called 'discussion'.

When they walked through the main door, her brows lifted up at the sight of his car parked right in front of the restaurant. Did he use his status as an idol or as the president or as the heir of the Longs? Or he used all his persona to get the special treatment?

She rolled her eyes at the thought. He would never change no matter how old he was. 

His eyes closed when the cold air hit his skin when the automatic door opened once they got close to it. He frowned and glanced at her. She was only in her dress without any shawl nor sweater to protect her from the cold air. Without thinking, he took off his coat.

"Here, wear this," he put it over her. He even helped to button the coat to protect her from the coldness of the night. "Let's go."

She did not push or avoid him when he placed his hand around her waist. She was aware that some waiters and even some customers were looking at them. She did not want to create a scene by giving cold treatment to Jeremy.

She did not hear the female waiters and customers sighed dreamily seeing how romantic and loving Jeremy was toward Ryn. Each one of them wished that their boyfriend or husband could treat them like how Jeremy treated Ryn. For those who were still single, they wished to meet their other half as romantic and good as Jeremy. Handsome too. And yeah, wealthy. They all were envying Ryn for having a boyfriend as handsome, as loving and romantic, and as wealthy as Jeremy. 

How could she be so lucky to have Jeremy?

As their audience was thinking, sighing, and envying them, the couple has reached the car. Jeremy opened the door for her and she went in, starting another sigh from their 'fans'. He closed the door and turned to look at the building. As if he could see them 'peeping' at them openly, he winked his eyes and waved, almost sending some swooning.

Chuckling to himself, he quickly went to his side of the car and got into the driver's seat. He started the engine and it did not make a loud sound. So smooth.

He adjusted the temperature and even chose slow music to accompany them through the journey.

"So. where are we going?" he asked.

"First, we are still... not good. Don't think you've won, J," she muttered.

"Love," he sighed heavily. Why was she being so difficult today?