He spoke softly and explained to Jane in a gentle tone, making it clear that he didn’t want to argue anymore. Seeing this, Jane’s temper also relaxed.
For her, it wasn’t a big deal at all. She just couldn’t understand why Patrick would get so angry when he saw her dancing. She didn’t like anyone restricting her personal freedom.
“I know you’re jealous, but you have to trust me. At least don’t continue like today, I’ll feel like you’re restricting my personal freedom.”
This was the first time Jane had said these things to Patrick. After all, if two people decided to be together, it was better to say everything and avoid similar conflicts in the future.
Patrick was stunned for a moment. He admitted that sometimes his possessiveness towards Jane did come into play but he also knew that such possessiveness came from love.
He understood his heart very well.
“… Okay, I got it.” After pondering for a while, Patrick nodded his head. He knew where his shortcomings lay and what he had done earlier and what he had said were only because of jealousy; however since Jane didn’t like it then he could change himself too.
Jane smiled and sincerely held his hand, “I know you don’t like me being with others; you’re jealous but please trust me too? Let’s work together so that we can make each other happy?”
Looking into Jane’s eyes, Patrick finally showed a hint of a smile in his eyes. He gently ruffled Jane’s hair, looking very indulgent.
“Alright, I get it. Hurry up and eat your noodles, or they’ll get cold.”
Jane nodded, picked up her fork, and started eating. During this break, Patrick glanced at her computer screen and noticed that the design draft from the previous competition was still there. He found it a bit strange and asked Jane.
“Why are you still modifying your own design draft for the competition? Isn’t everything already prepared perfectly waiting for the contest start? What happened?”
Jane looked at him with an expression of helplessness saying, “Freda arrived in Paris these past few days too; she even went over Leo Studio looking for Camille asking about customizing dresses as well as asking about my design draft regarding this competition matter… I figured out these past few days after investigating further. She teamed up with Susan wanting nothing more than tarnishing my reputation.”
Freda?
Hearing this name again made Patrick frown once more; not only did this woman survive such adversity before but now she was relentlessly pursuing Jane again!
He couldn’t help but furrow his brows, and his tone wasn’t as relaxed as before. “So what are you going to do then?”
Jane shrugged, gesturing for him to look at the computer screen. “Since they want to know so badly, I’ll just have Camille tell them. It’s not a big deal if I have to adjust my design a bit.”
“In any case,” Jane emphasized her words slightly, “this time I’m going to make Susan suffer the consequences.”
Patrick had a feeling that this matter wasn’t so simple.
Since Susan was able to team up with Freda and return unnoticed while also coming all the way back to Paris looking for Jane, she must not be someone who can be underestimated.
He looked at Jane and spoke with concern, “If Freda can come back unnoticed like this and find you in Paris again, then she must not be someone we should take lightly either. Plus, I’ve heard of that Susan’s name before; you still need to be careful and protect yourself.”
Jane looked at him and smiled slightly before patting Patrick’s hand reassuringly on the back of his hand. “Don’t worry; I’ll be careful so that you don’t have anything else to worry about. Alright then, let me go get some water–”
Just as Jane stood up wanting to leave the room, she was stopped by Patrick embracing her from behind around her waistline with his chin resting on her left shoulder while speaking in a low voice next near her ear.
“Jane… I’m serious about it; after your busy schedule is over here, we should plan our engagement ceremony when we return home instead of waiting for an auspicious date anymore because I can’t wait any longer now! Please marry me!”
Although Patrick’s words were somewhat ambiguous in nature, there was no doubt about how deeply he felt towards Jane which made it clear enough for her too. And she understood what he meant by it all along.
She smiled softly while patting his arm gently saying, “Alright now please loosen your grip on me first since its too tight.”
Patrick followed suit immediately releasing his hold around her waistline, allowing Jane turn around facing him whereupon she helped straighten out his collar while asking teasingly, “Why are you in such a hurry? What did Grandpa say? And aren’t there preparations required for an engagement ceremony or have you already taken care of everything?”
“Don’t worry about Grandpa.” Patrick initially thought it was something serious, but after hearing Jane’s explanation, he felt relieved. He smiled contentedly, knowing Mike’s temper very well.
“He’s actually looking forward to me marrying you soon, so you can’t escape anymore. As for the engagement ceremony, you don’t need to worry. I’ll take care of everything and ensure you have the grandest engagement ceremony in the world, making everyone envy you.”
Patrick’s attitude now was completely different from when he pretended to be engaged to Queena. If Queena were here, she would know that she can’t compare to Jane in Patrick’s heart. Love can sometimes make people feel humble and sad.
“Okay, okay, I understand your intentions. You don’t need to repeat yourself. I believe you and look forward to it,” Jane said softly as she caressed Patrick’s cheek. They gazed at each other and couldn’t help but kiss for a long time before finally letting go. Jane’s face looked a little unnatural.
“Okay, okay, let’s not fool around anymore. I’ll talk about it after I finish my work.”
…
After that day, Freda rarely went to Leo’s studio anymore. She took the time to meet Susan at their usual spot – the coffee shop they had planned last time.
She looked at Susan sitting opposite her and whispered, “I know what Jane’s design looks like.”
As soon as Susan heard this, she immediately became excited and leaned over to listen as Freda whispered into her ear. She smiled with satisfaction in her eyes.
“In that case, why don’t we do this…” Susan whispered softly, “Since we all know what her design looks like now, why don’t we have someone take it before the competition starts? We can modify it and then participate in the competition without any effort on our part! If Jane tries anything later on, Leo Studio will not be held responsible.”
Freda nodded but then thought of something else, “But… the person doing this cannot be one of ours.”
Susan paused for a moment upon hearing this statement; understanding what Freda wanted them both do next with their secret smile.
Only an insider could catch someone off guard like that!