Arrogant Man VS Unyielding Woman novel Chapter 177

When Jean woke up from her dream at midnight, she found out that no one lay beside her.

Initially, she was blank and lost. It was only after she was wide awake, her face crunched into a quizzical expression.

She put on her slippers and began looking for Zed everywhere in the house. At last, she noticed a trace of light under the door of Zed's study.

Jean yawned. As she was about to push the door, she paused to hear Zed's voice from the inside.

Going to the study in the night wasn't unusual for Zed. As she heard him, it seemed that he was on a call.

Did he have something important to deal with at this hour?

Or was Zed hiding anything from her?

Hadn't they reached an agreement with each other? Both of them had decided to unconditionally trust each other. But why did she doubt him now?

Suddenly, Jean began to grin and slapped her head for her silliness.

She gently pushed the door to avoid startling Zed.

With the door open, she saw that Zed was sitting on the big chair with light coming from the lamp on his desk.

However, Zed was still on the phone with his back towards Jean.

The towering chair covered Zed's frame entirely. Only his jet black short hair could be seen from the top of the chair. The lamp's light gave a smooth lustre to his black hair.

Jean realized that Zed hadn't noticed her even now. She decided to tiptoe towards him and surprise him.

Zed was one of those who didn't express everything readily that came to his mind. It was only after Jean, he had started looking joyful with a mix of different expressions. But most of the times, his stone face looked frightening.

'How will he react if I stealthily approach him from behind?'

Jean chuckled to herself. Before she could stretch out her hands to cover his eyes and give him a surprise, Zed's unusual words stopped her mid-way.

"Jesse, don't cry. Let's talk again when you come here. Is this ok? It is really late in the night now. Just don't think too much. Go and have a good sleep. That's a good girl. You will spoil your face if you don't stop crying..."

Jean had never heard Zed speak to anyone so tenderly and patiently.

Judging from behind, she felt that Zed was completely unaware and engrossed in the phone call.

Suddenly, a strange thought crept into her mind.

She stood there as if she were struck by thunder.

Jean couldn't clearly tell her feelings. Apart from bitterness and pain, she was more than anything baffled.

A fear loomed over her thoughts. It was hard for her to even breathe.

'No, it must be my illusion. I must be still dreaming.'

In that moment, Jean turned around and rushed to go out.

She was trembling like a leaf. But Jean's feet felt heavy as if they had turned into lead. In her delirium, she bumped into the corner of the desk.

Jean was bruised and yelled in great pain. Quickly, her hands covered her mouth and she tried to run out.

"Jean......" After hearing Jean shout, Zed had swivelled his chair to see Jean dashing for the door.

Zed was in panic. He stood up and rushed outside after her.

"Jean......"

When Zed came into the living room, he heard another door bang on the far end. Then, everything was quiet.

Zed frowned and walked towards the guest room with big steps.

He tried pushing the door open but he expected it to be locked from inside.

Zed leaned against the door and asked: "Jean, what's wrong? Open the door please."

Jean felt limp with grief and anxiety and collapsed on the ground with her back against the door. She started to cry uncontrollably.

Her eyes became dull and glassy. Jean held her head in her hands cowering down in pain.

"I'm fine." Jean shook her head and said, "I am tired and sleepy. I will go to sleep if there is nothing I can do."

Jean shut the door and turned towards the bed to lie down, not waiting for any reaction from Zed.

Jean felt as if all her strength was drained out. She was so feeble that she almost crawled on to the bed step by step.

"Jean......" Zed was very disturbed by Jean's apathy. He tried opening the door and was successful because Jean had unlocked it earlier. He took her hands and asked, "Did you come into my study? Why did you run away?"

"I......" Jean didn't resist Zed taking her hands into his. She just lowered her gaze and looked churlish.

It seemed that Zed didn't know that she had overheard his conversation. He was also oblivious to her knowing that a Jesse existed.

'Good!'

Jean raised her head to see Zed in the eye and said, "I had a nightmare so I wanted to find you in your study. But I came back when I saw that you were busy."

"Is that all?" Full of doubt, Zed again asked, "Then, why did you lock yourself inside? You even didn't react at all when I asked you to open the door for quite a long time?"

Jean snorted with contempt, "Didn't I say that I had a nightmare? I locked the door inside because I was scared."

Jean looked down for a second and wondered, 'Why didn't I ask Zed who Jesse was?

What is their relationship?

Jean, what on earth are you afraid of?

Is anything worse than our present situation?'

"Honey, you are so stupid." Zed felt sorry for saying this and immediately hugged her: "When you next have a nightmare, just call me, and I will be there with you."

Wrapped in his arms, Jean felt more upset and depressed listening to Zed comforting her.

"Just call me, and I will be with you."

Comparing his tone to how Zed spoke to Jesse ("That's a good girl. You will spoil your face if you don't stop crying..."), To how he spoke to her, Jean's guess was more or less confirmed.