Whiter

The Part 16

Upon arriving home, his son Davin ran to greet him.

"Daddy!!" call him running unstable.

Seeing Davin's condition is back healthy calms Jared's heart. The fatigue and stress he endured today faded instantly. Davin hugged his leg, making Jared feel anxious and carrying his child.

"Woah." One kiss landed on Davin's chubby cheek. "Dave eaten?"

His quick-witted son nodded and hugged his neck. Davin's response melts Jared's heart. He believes his decision is right to choose his family. All this time he lived peacefully. A little distraction won't ruin everything. This is not the time to be selfish. Hells! Now he is a father. His own self-interest is not a priority. He has to put Davin's interests first, everything for Davin before turning to himself.

Jared exhaled deeply and hugged Davin and led him to the dining room where Olivia was waiting for him. Seeing the food that had been arranged neatly made Jared frown.

"Is there anything special today?"

Olivia shook her head as Jared sat Davin in the seat next to her.

"For a few days I didn't pay attention to food for you because it takes care of Davin." Olivia smile. "So I prepared this to replace those missed days as well as an apology for failing to do my job."

Jared looked at Olivia with a chaotic mind. His conversation with his own wife was like a work colleague. Ignoring the uncomfortable feeling, his focus returned to Davin who was busy eating wine.

His hand stroked his son's fine hair before saying, "No need to bother, Oliv. I understand the situation. Davin's health is our priority, after all."

His wife nodded with a happy smile. "How about we start eating now?"

"Come," replied Jared taking the plate.

Olivia had food on her plate like a good wife. They eat while talking lightly which is especially about Davin. This is how every day, he and Olivia have activities with a very busy schedule. Every time they met, they were always in a state of fatigue until the conversation went short.  For four years Jared never objected to the atmosphere but somehow lately he feels saturated.

Now something must be done to strengthen the bond between her and Olivia.

Jared arrived at the office longer than usual. While walking towards the entrance, he meets Shanon and Hans there.

"Good morning, Mr. Jared," they said in unison so formally.

Jared turned his head briefly before nodding and passing away leaving them. He did not want to think too much but the devil always tested him. In the elevator he wondered why they could be together so early. Could they go to the office together?

Jared had seen Shanon's cold gaze towards him. That woman must still be hurt. Maybe he was holding her back. Not wrong, considering the sentence was so spicy the last time they talked.

Inside the room, Jared recalled how familiar Shanon was with Hans yesterday afternoon. Today Shanon saw it with a cold gaze that was so formal. So contrasted with his friendly gaze towards Hans. Did she really do what she said? Is he going to blackmail Hans by seducing him?

Well, Poor Hans!

He's stuck with that kind of woman.

Jared shook his head while peeking at his forehead. Since yesterday he has always intended to activate his backup phone just to check if Shanon sent him a message or not. God! He promised to forget everything. What happened did not fit his plan.

Shanon gives the opportunity for light to enter in his dark days. He was very happy if only the woman wanted to be his friend, but how could men and women continue to be friends? Plus, he is married and has children. Impossible!

Without a second thought Jared immediately took his spare phone, activated it and then looked long enough. He hopes to get a message from Shanon. That's right, he got two messages from her. Quickly Jared opened it with full fervor but it faded when he learned the message was sent the day before their separation.

Jared breathed a long breath. Slowly slamming his cell phone and ruffling his hair. I don't know what he wants right now. He wants the truth but mistakes are too tempting to get rid of.

How'this?

Jared's starting to worry. He knows himself. He knows when it is time to give up or fight. Now what happens is even a green light to fight for what should not be fought for.

The mistake was to say a sentence that was too scathing towards Shanon. He knew she would not do such a cruel thing to another man just because she could not get it. Should I apologize after three days apart? Can it be called goodbye? Why was he so poisoned by Shanon?

This is so absurd. Is it true that he is thinking of apologizing to the woman who deliberately teased him?

Really this?

Jared ruffled his hair again.

Dinner with Hans yesterday went pretty well. They talk a lot about work and some personal things. Shanon felt comfortable telling some things with that one man. He feels like a friend even a friend who is ready to hear all his complaints.

He has been in a bad mood for days since his last meeting with Jared. That sentence repeatedly flashed in his mind. Shanon never thought Jared could say such a thing after what they did. She obviously received the kiss. Obviously he also replied to her. He even replied to his private message.

The anger within Shanon is growing more and more every time he remembers every utterance.

Shit he had to look at Jared this morning. All of this was because the forcing Hans was going to pick her up until they had to rush over as it was almost too late. If he doesn't go with Hans, maybe he can avoid Jared.

How annoying it is to see the man looking fine when he looks like a monster. Jared looked amazing with that charming look. He may not feel sinful at all after the incident so calmly Shanon just looked at him with a flat look as a sign of his displeasure. After Jared leaves, Shanon curses himself for failing to avoid Jared for an entire week.

Shanon intends to have his own lunch today and in order to make that happen, he has to rush away to avoid getting any more lunch offers from Hans. While in the office yard, he met some familiar-looking women. Financial staff maybe? Shanon shrugged his shoulders not knowing. Surprisingly they looked at him with displeased expressions. Shanon tried to ignore them by walking quickly but his hand was suddenly snatched violently.

His steps stopped and he was suddenly surrounded by them.

"What do you want?" hiss Shanon is starting to be unfriendly.

"What did you do to get back here?" Start one of them with raised eyebrows. "Tempting boss? Selling themselves? Whahuh? What did you give me?"

Shanon gritted his teeth. "Take me off! Are you guys crazy about doing this at work?"

The other woman clutched Shanon's cheek. "Hey stupid, do you think that selling a body and face below this standard can save you forever?" He's clucking. "Don't dare tease our boss let alone Mr. Jared in that cheap way. If we ever get you to do that again then we'll be ready to get rid of you by any means." He releases Shanon's cheek with one jolt and the other pushes him down. They simply disperse leaving Shanon still hissing in pain in his palms and buttocks.

"Damn!" he said while cleaning his hands. "Damn! Damnit damnit! Shit!"

As much as Shanon's energy to withstand the distress in his chest. He didn't get Jared at all so did he deserve this? When occupied with his own thoughts, a helping hand distracts him. Shannon's eyes stared at the fingertips to the face of someone who intended to help her.

Jared's.

This man was the last person he wanted to see right now. This man's gaze was sincere but Shanon did not want mercy from him. Perhaps Jared was already laughing in his heart seeing himself being humiliated by the company employees. The thought further ruined his mood.

Shanon just looked at the hand for a long time. How much he would have liked to receive this help if the situation was different.

Now that his mind was in turmoil and his ego was high, he decided to turn his eyes in the other direction as a sign of rejection. A few seconds later someone crouched down in front of him, grabbed his shoulders and said, "Shanon, why are you sitting here?"

Shanon. Hans. This man ran to help her. The look in Hans' eyes was also so sincere that Shanon's feelings grew even more chaotic. Hans exuded an overwhelming affection towards her. Shannon was crying. Crying like a child falling. Not badly hurt but crying out of embarrassment.

His body shook amidst his cries. Hans who saw that immediately grabbed him, stroked his back and calmed him down with a soft sentence.

"Pst... You're okay. No cry. Don't cry."

That sentence did not stop her crying but instead made her cry even stronger. The distress he felt for days finally spilled on Hans' shoulders.

Hans moved so slowly as he tried to carry her. He hesitates to do so, so Shannon takes the initiative to wrap her hands around Hans' neck in agreement. The gesture was captured by Hans so that now Shanon is in his arms and taken to a place that he believes is not far from the office. Shanon feels grateful that Hans kept him away from Jared.

The closeness between Shanon and Hans was observed deeply by Jared. The woman refused his help outright while Hans' late help was met so overwhelmingly by her.

Jared could only stare at Shanon's weak body in Hans' arms. The sight made him goosebumps.

That made him nervous.

He wants to help Shannon.

He wanted to be in Hans' current position.

He wanted the woman to depend on him.

Funny thing is he wanted Shanon to pick him.

Whatisthis?

Are they jealous of their closeness?