His sudden change in topic surprised Lisa, but she answered him anyway, “I think that when I’m in love with a man, I’m the only one allowed to spend his money. All those other wh*res are not allowed to be near him. You’ve had so many women, Jackson. Have you never had any real feelings for any of them?”
As he stared at Lisa, he was suddenly disgusted by women like her. That was not love. That was no different from a material transaction. What felt even more terrifying was the fact that every other woman he had been with was just like her. In the past, he never really cared and had always felt that spending money for a bit of pleasure was the most normal thing to do, “I don’t think I have…”
They didn’t go back to the hotel at night. Instead, they found a nice spot along the beach, set up a camping tent and a barbecue. Their goal was to watch the sunrise.
The winds at sea were strong at night, and the temperature plummeted as well. Arianne sat on a small portable stool and stared at the barbecue grill. She looked like an obedient young girl. Mark fixed his gaze on her the entire time and never really turned away. There was a kind of yearning in his eyes and many other complex feelings, interweaving between each other. In the past, he could not get along with her at all. Now, the future was uncertain, and all he cared about was the peace that they now enjoyed. He regretted having mistreated her in the past; it was like they would separate at the very next moment.
“Mark, quit staring at Ari. It’s not like anything’s going to grow out of her face. You’re a married couple now. Aren’t you tired of staring at each other like that?” Tiffany munched on her barbecued kebabs as she took a jab at him.
Mark turned away and stared at the black surface of the sea in frustration, giving no reply.
Arianne’s mind had been wandering the entire time, so she didn’t realize that Mark had been gazing at her. She returned to her senses and felt slightly embarrassed, “Tiffie, doesn’t your mouth ever stop? Get me two kebabs.”
Seeing that the kebabs in Tiffany’s hands had been thoroughly finished, Lisa snatched a batch of kebabs that Jackson had just finished barbecuing, “Jackson, these kebabs that you’ve barbecued are so delicious. I’ve never noticed it before.”
Tiffany’s outstretched hand, which was just about to take some kebabs, faltered back. She angrily downed her entire can of beer and threw the empty can into the rubbish bag. The can crashed loudly against the other items in the trash, promptly silencing everyone.
Arianne and Eric were puzzled, unsure of what was going on. Only Mark, Jackson, and Lisa had managed to figure it out. Lisa spoke up in a mystified voice, “Are you mad, Tiffany? Why are you angry? Don’t just throw a tantrum like that. It’s kind of a mood killer.”
Tiffany smirked, “Are you telling me that you can’t figure out why I’m pissed? You’re eating the entire batch of freshly barbecued kebabs. Are you a pig?”
Eric burst into laughter, unable to hold himself back. Lisa was so mad that she turned red in the face, “You’re the one who’s been eating them!”
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