Chapter 89


    A car was parked outside the club, and Jan was leaning against it, puffing away on a cigarette.


    At a nce, it was clear he was waiting for someone. But I knew damn well it wasn''t me he was waiting


    for because there was no way he could know I was attending this party.


    Jan felt nervous the moment he saw us walking out together, but recovered immediately. He put out


    his cigarette and strode over to me, took my purse from my hand, and wrapped his arm around me,


    "Tired?"


    Catherine muttered with annoyance, "Stop showing off. Who are you trying to impress?"


    I leaned into Jan and asked him, "Are you here to pick me up?"


    He looked at me with affection as he replied, "Who else would I be here for?"


    "Well, I don''t recall informing you of my ns. Do you have some kind of psychic ability, knowing where


    I am at all times?" I teased him.


    As he led me towards his car, he exined, "I was having dinner with Irving. He mentioned that his wife


    was hosting a party at Illusion Paradiso. Before dinner, I called home and Zora said you were out. After


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    dinner, I called home again and you were still out. I figured you might be here, so I thought I''d surprise


    you."


    He chuckled, "And I was right, wasn''t I?"


    His reasoning was sound. If I didn''t know him better, I might have believed him.


    When we reached his car, he let go of me and stared at me appreciatively. He tousled my hair and


    said, "I never realized how good you look with short hair. It suits you well. I guess I had the wrong idea


    about it before."


    I held his hand still, "Your mother is here too. Should we wait for her?"


    "No need. She''s got her ns. And besides, she''s not one to leave a party early," Jan replied, his


    gaze filled with a mix of wonder and desire.


    It was a natural desire; perhaps he hadn''t anticipated that I would look so radiant. In truth, I was barely


    holding it.


    Catherine got into her car, rolled down the window, and shouted to me, "I''m stuffed with all the lovey-


    dovey stuff. I''m leaving."


    I turned my attention to Marissa as if I had just noticed her. She stood there, stock-still, watching Jan


    and me interact.


    "Marissa, how are you getting home?" I asked her, feigning concern. I was grateful for the ride she had


    arranged for me.


    I looked up at Jan and suggested, "Maybe we could drop Marissa off on our way?"


    "Sure," he said. Then, looking at Marissa, he asked casually, "Where do you live?"


    Marissa slowly approached us, her face pale, and gave her address. To my surprise, Jan said tly,


    "That''s out of our way. It would be best for you to take a cab, Ms. Marissa. Otherwise, we''ll all be


    dyed."


    His words were unambiguous, showing no sympathy or consideration. What the hell was he thinking?


    They had their baby and he was acting all serious like this.


    Marissa was upset and she gripped her purse.


    Jan seemed not to notice. He turned to me and said, "Our kids have been waiting long enough. I''m


    worried about them."


    He had shown his indifference, and I couldn''t help but feel happy.


    I turned to Marissa, who looked crushed and offered a sympathetic smile, "Sorry, Marissa. I don''t want


    the kids to worry. I can''t dy any longer."


    Marissa quickly waved her hand, "It''s okay, and I''ve called a cab."


    "We''ll be going then," I waved back at her and got into the car. Jan buckled my seatbelt for me and


    closed the door, not looking at Marissa once. He then got into the car and we drove off.


    In the rear-view mirror, I saw Marissa standing there, watching our car fade into the distance. Suddenly,


    she threw her purse on the ground with a frustrated thud.


    I almost burst outughing, thinking to myself, "Don''t worry. I''ve got a bigger surprise for you."