Chapter 80 None Of It Was A Joke


    Jonas wasn’t too drunk topletely pass out. All he took was a short nap. Then he went to take a


    shower so he could be himself again.


    His mind kepting back to his impromptu love confession back at the police station, and he couldn’t


    help butugh at his own awkwardness. Before his grandfather could send for him, Jonas sauntered


    into the older man’s study.


    "You idiot grandson!" His grandfather held nothing back, and showed just how upset he was. "How


    much stupider are you willing to be, just to cater to the whims of that girl, Emily?"


    Nheless, Nelson found constion in his grandson’s apparent obedience and his submission to a


    good scolding. He even took it upon himself toe here on his own, and was now sitting quietly as he


    listened to his grandfather’s tirade.


    Nelson’s anger eased, and his tone softened a little. This was his darling grandson, after all, no matter


    what an idiot he may be. He’d watched him grow up into a man; he didn’t have the heart to be truly


    cruel to him.


    "Grandpa," Jonas said when Nelson was finally done. "I’ve already exined to Melinda. It was all just


    a misunderstanding."


    "A misunderstanding you say?" Nelson was a little doubtful, not about the whole fiasco being a


    mistake, but more about Jonas iming to have bothered to exin himself to anyone.


    "Yes," Jonas said earnestly. "I talked to Melinda andid it out properly, but I don’t think she believed


    me. She was being rather cross and would cut me off several times while I talked."


    "Ha! Serves you right." In spite of his words, Nelson was beaming at his grandson. It may not be too


    obvious to either youngster, but their rtionship had vastly improved with this development. If it were


    up to him, he would have preferred that Melinda torture her idiot husband even further.


    Jonas scratched his chin. He was slightly annoyed as he recalled what happened hours ago, but one


    thought stood out: his wife hade running the moment she heard something had happened to him.


    He was pleased with this.


    "To think that she would brush off my confession just like that." He was murmuring to himself, but


    Nelson was quick to catch his words.


    "What did you just say?" he blurted out, leaning forward on his huge desk in his excitement. "You


    confessed to Melinda? A love confession?"


    He had always hoped for this, after all. Deep down he had his suspicions that Jonas might have been


    growing fonder of Melinda, but then something would always happen that alluded to opposite being


    true.


    Although he remained hopeful, Nelson had grown wary of the possibilities, and had resolved not too


    expect too much too soon. Even now he had his doubts.


    Jonas had a vague idea of what was going on in his grandfather’s mind. He gave the older man a


    gentle smile. "Listen, Grandpa. I’m in love with Melinda. I will work hard from now on to be the man she


    deserves."


    He had a solemn air about him as he spoke. He swallowed several times after that, as if it took a great


    deal out of him to say those words out loud.


    Nelson realized that his grandson was telling the truth, and he promptly teared up. He had waited so


    long for this day toe. "Oh, finally! You finally figured it out."


    Jonas never thought his grandfather to be one for theatrics, but he now he was seeing the old man


    raise both hands and look to the ceiling as he eximed his joy. His mood lightened at that.


    But then the old man’s face suddenly grew stern, and his tone became firm. "Now cut off all your ties


    with that Emily girl and make sure to beg for your wife’s forgiveness! You have to attend to Melinda


    hand and foot, do you understand?"


    He was all too aware of what a thorn Emily was to his grandson’s marriage. Whether they were


    romantically involved or not, he knew that Emily would keep at her efforts to destroy what Jonas and


    Melinda had.


    He refused to overlook everything that evil girl had done in the past. He would stand his ground on this


    matter; it would be in the best interest of the young couple to nip it in the bud and get rid of Emily.


    Jonas had tough at his grandfather’s earnest outburst. "Don’t worry Grandpa, I know what to do. I


    already have it all nned out." And he meant it.


    He had alsoe to realize the extent with which he failed his wife and their marriage, all because of


    Emily’s whims. He would never make the same mistakes in the future. Melinda deserved a devoted


    husband who put her above all else, and Jonas was determined to be that man.


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    Grandfather and grandson had a long talk after that, both men expressing their thoughts and their


    shared fondness of Melinda. They managed to unravel and smooth out several years’ worth of


    misunderstandings and ill feelings.


    Nelson was smiling the entire time. They only ended their heartfelt conversation when Gavin knocked


    on the study to tell them it was time for dinner.


    Melinda did not join them. ording to the servants, the young madam excused herself saying she


    was ufortable to dine in the main vi, and had dinner brought to her room instead.


    Jonas was understandably worried about this. He breezed through his meal and hurried over to his


    wife’s vi. He headed straight to her bedroom and found her fast asleep.


    "Mellie." He sat at her bedside and took her hand, pressing it against his lips. "You must never let me


    go after this. Not now, when I’ve finallye to my senses."


    He had always been confident in himself, but he always found himself at a loss when it came to his


    wife. He already had his work cut out for him, so he was fervently hoping that he could get Melinda to


    see his sincerity before it was toote.


    Knowing that she was in a bad mood, he let her sleep. Although he did stay for a few more minutes just


    sitting there, holding her hand, sometimes stroking her hair. He eventually left for the guest bedroom.


    He shouldn’t have expected to get a good night’s sleep after all that happened, but his restlessness


    bordered on the unreasonable. To him, at least.


    He kept thinking about the rare times that he and Melinda enjoyed each other’spany, talking


    amicably, evenughing together, or just sitting inpanionable silence. Every now and then the


    unpleasant memories would intrude, but the happy ones always stood out, more vividly than the rest.


    His thoughts inadvertently went to Emily. He must do something about that woman immediately. He


    looked back on the friendship they had over the years, and his head began to ache.


    He couldn’t renege on his resolve to make Melinda his top priority, but he couldn’t bring himself to be


    so cruel to Emily, given their background. He tossed and turned and brooded as hey in bed. It wasn’t


    until dawn that he finally fell asleep, his mind exhausted.


    In his dream, his wife had finally left him, saying she was too tired of their marriage. She kept telling


    him to go to Emily instead.


    In the dream, he begged Melinda, saying that he could only be happy with her and no one else.


    Melinda would push him away every time, and tell him that Emily could undoubtedly make him happier,


    since he always came to his childhood friend anyway.


    Jonas woke with a start, his face beaded with cold sweat. The dream was all but a hazy memory in the


    light of day, but the rm and urgency pumping in his veins were very real. He made a decision right


    there and then. He couldn’t bear to lose Melinda, no matter the cost.


    He was going to help Emily, but this would be thest time. He’d even allow some excess with the favor


    she was asking, but that would be the end of it. After that he would make a clean, absolute cut.


    When he came down for breakfast, he found Melinda already seated and silently eating some porridge.


    She cast him a brief nce as he pulled out a chair, saying nothing. A sense of guilt assaulted him but


    he pushed it down. It was time to act with full intent. He pulled his chair right next to hers and sat on it,


    purposely brushing his legs against hers in the process.


    "You should have waited for me." He brought his face closer to hers as he whispered, and was


    rewarded by the sight of her dainty little ears reddening.


    "I was hungry." Her reply was calm and curt, but deep down her nerves were a wreck, and she


    struggled to appear nonchnt.


    His proximity and the scent of his cologne brought up memories of the night at the police station, his


    sudden confession, and that brief peck on the lips. She took another spoonful of porridge, and had to


    swallow a few times before it went down her throat.


    Her cool facade didn’t fool Jonas, however. Well, even if he believed her to be unaffected, he would


    never shrink back and run away; he would tear her walls down brick by brick.


    He motioned for their servant and asked to prepare the same breakfast, and cheerfully ate beside his


    wife. He was quick with it, and they ended up finishing the meal at the same time.


    She tapped her lips with her napkin, and Jonas grabbed the opportunity before she could rise and flee


    to her room. "Mellie, everything I saidst night—none of it was a joke. I’ll prove it to youter, and in


    theing days, or weeks or years, whatever it takes. I’ll cut all ties with Emily."


    At that she turned her head to look at him, obviously astounded at his words. He just smiled, and


    reached out with his napkin to wipe a spot in the corner of her mouth that she’d missed. "All you have


    to do is trust me, please."


    She could only stare him. His intimate gesture, coupled with his low, seductive whisper, rendered her


    speechless. She could feel her cheeks start to heat up. Jonas watched in fascination as he made his


    wife blush. Ever since he became conscious of her, and aware of his own feelings, it seemed like he


    was discovering something new about Melinda every day.


    He rather enjoyed the rosy bloom on her cheeks. He decided he wanted to see it more often.


    Unfortunately he had to leave for work, and told Melinda as much. He could tell she was relieved to be


    rid of him as she hurried back to her room. Nevertheless, he was certain it wasn’t due to any negative


    feelings, and he left the mansion with a spring in his step.


    The moment he was back in his office, Jonas immediately saw to the issue with Emily. He called for


    William and gave his instructions for the necessary arrangements, which included pouring funds


    amounting to five million dors into herpany. Thatpany only served to increase her poprity


    anyway, and not much else.


    Soon news spread through the vine, and people from the entertainment industry, who wanted the


    chance to cozy up to a conglomerate heir, started to invest on Emily as a celebrity, offering her various


    projects.


    This pleased her immensely, of course. In a matter of a few hours, countless projects hadnded on


    herp. Despite this, she was rather disappointed when she realized she couldn’t continue her habit of


    frequently visiting Soaring Group uninvited.


    Still, she wasn’t worried. Instead, she relished in the assumption that Jonas had chosen her over his


    own wife. Little did she know that this sudden and magnanimous outpouring of favor was a prelude to


    the severance of their rtionship.


    Jonas had a business dinner that night, and the minute he was home, he headed for the shower. He


    knew Melinda hated the smell of alcohol and tobo, and he had every intention to spend the night


    with her.


    It was a little past eight in the evening when he was done cleaning up, and he knew Melinda would


    probably be watching television or reading magazines at this hour. He made a beeline for her bedroom,


    and opened the door after a couple of knocks.


    His wife wasn’t in her room. He stood in the doorway, trying to decipher theplicated mix of


    emotions he was feeling. Mostly, he was baffled.


    This was quite unexpected. He hurriedly went down and asked the servants where the young madam


    was. He was told his grandfather took her out for a visit to an old friend; Jonas surmised they had


    dinner outside as well.


    Well, it wasn’t such a big deal. He would simply wait up for his wife. His good mood restored, Jonas


    walked to his own study to get some work done after making sure the servants would notify him when


    Melinda came back.


    The minutes ticked by, and when Jonas finally looked up from his desk, it was well past nine o’clock.


    His wife still wasn’t home. Miffed, he gave his grandfather a call.


    Nelson actually did it all on purpose—nning a visit and dragging Melinda along. He wasn’t exempt to


    the grapevine of his ownpany, and news of what Jonas did today for Emily also reached him. He


    felt he earned the right to be pissed at his grandson, what with this apparent turnabout from everything


    he said justst night!


    When he answered his phone to an agitated Jonas, demanding for him toe home with Melinda—


    immediately, Nelson felt a vindictive gratification. Nope, they weren’ting home anytime soon, he


    was regretful to say.


    He kept going on and on about how they were having a grand time, taking pleasure at his grandson’s


    annoyance. Melinda sat across him with a little smile throughout the phone call. They were having a


    grand time, indeed—at Jonas’s expense.


    She finally cut him off by pointing out that he was still in recuperation, and that he shouldn’t be staying


    up sote in his condition. Nelson finally relented, and they were back in the mansion grounds before


    the clock struck ten.


    Jonas was waiting for them in the foyer, leaning on the mantelpiece with his arms crossed. He had a


    dark expression over his face, and a pregnant silence hung about him; a silence which, ironically,


    seemed to be inviting attention.


    It somewhat seeded, since Melinda and Nelson were immediately giggling to themselves as soon


    as they saw him. His brooding intensified.


    He strode over to them and took hold of his wife’s arm. "You must be very tired after such a long


    excursion, and sote at night." There was an edge to his voice, and his greeting initially sounded


    sarcastic. It immediately gave way to a softer tone as his fingers ran down her arm to take her hand.


    "Are you hungry? I brought some cakes from Chen''s pastry shop."


    Nelson was grinning quietly as he watched the interaction between the young couple. Stupid boy, not


    even greeting his own grandfather. But if he was to be ignored for Melinda’s sake, then he would dly


    oblige. The woman in question, however, only stood there and stared at her husband, obviously at a


    loss with what was happening.


    Nelson cleared his throat before things got more awkward between husband and wife. "So I heard


    you’ve been busy today." He raised a brow at his grandson. "Something to do with that Emily girl again.


    Perhaps you’ve already forgotten everything you said, your professions of love and whatnot, you idiot


    grandson!"


    This time it was Melinda who cleared her throat, and Jonas shed her a smile before answering the


    older man. "This will be thest time, Grandpa. Something like a bribe, if you will, I swear. I will be


    cutting off all ties to her the next time we talk."


    Then, without missing a beat, he took out his phone from his robe pocket and showed them as he


    blocked all of Emily’s contact information and then also deleted them. Then he turned to his wife with


    an earnest expression, expecting...praise, maybe? He wasn’t sure.


    Melinda only continued to stare at him nkly. ‘What is he up to?’ She had a fairly good idea just what


    he was trying to do, of course, but she had long conditioned herself not to expect too much when it


    came to this man.


    Nevertheless, she couldn’t deny the tiny bit of satisfaction she felt at his childish disy. Jonas


    squeezed her hand, and she couldn’t help taunting him. "For all we know, you might already have all


    her contact details memorized."


    The look on his face was priceless. "Do you... do you want custody of my phone then?" He held the


    mobile device up in offering, and Nelsonughed. Melinda struggled to keep her face straight, and only


    shook her head.


    Even so, her expression mellowed, and she never once pulled her hand back from his grasp. He


    escorted her to her room in silence, still holding hands, and they exchanged pleasant good nights.


    Jonas felt like he may finally be doing the right things where his wife was concerned. He was already


    looking forward to have a happy future with his wife.


    Emily had been enjoying her new status as a much sought after actress. Contracts had beening in


    for the past couple of days, and everyone seemed all too willing to adjust to her demands.


    She would always dial Jonas''s number whenever she was on a break, but she never could get through.


    At first she thought he might be busy as well, but it had been two days now, and she didn’t get even a


    single return call.


    Suspecting something was wrong, she borrowed her assistant’s phone and dialed his number. She


    discovered that while no one answered, the call was diverted to voice mail. It could only mean one


    thing: Jonas had blocked Emily on his phone.


    Unwilling to ept this, she gave a call directly to his office, and told his secretary she wanted to invite


    him out to dinner to thank him for the recent favor. She didn’t hint that she was aware of the number


    blocking.


    Jonas told his secretary to set up the appointment with Miss Bai, and then hurriedly dialed his wife’s


    number. He told her everything, and asked her toe with him to his appointment with Emily.


    "Why would I go there? It’s your date; it would be in extremely poor taste if I went, don’t you think?"


    "Melinda, you don’t understand. This is the opportunity I was waiting for, to effectively cut her off from


    my—from our lives." There was a pause on her end, and Jonas could tell her brain was analyzing the


    situation warily.


    "Listen, you don’t have to sit at the same table if you don’t want to. You could just sit at another one


    nearby, where you have a perfect view of us and you could hear everything we say."


    Another pause. Jonas prayed that his sincerity would get through to Melinda. And then he heard his


    wife say, "All right."


    He heaved a shameless sigh of relief. "Perfect! Oh, and wear something nice. I’m taking you to dinner


    afterwards."


    And so it was that the young master and the young madam of the Gu family entered, hand in hand, one


    of the luxury restaurants in the city to meet up with Miss Emily Bai.