He unbuttoned his collar, trying to calm down the jealousy and suspicion gnawing at him.
Taking deep breaths, he dried his face with a towel before finally opening the bathroom door.
When he stepped out, Bianca was waiting for him right outside.
Bianca and Dave glanced at each other, silently assessing the situation.
After a moment of quiet, Bianca spoke up first.
“Do you honestly think my encounter with Blake today was not a coincidence? Do you believe I purposely met him behind your back?”
Dave studied Bianca, who met his gaze defiantly, her face betraying hurt and her eyes slightly teary.
Dave felt a pang of pain.
What could he say? Denying it would mean lying to her, but admitting it would suggest he doubted her.
He didn’t want to doubt her, nor did he want to lie.
Dave clenched his jaw, opting for silence. He walked past Bianca towards the living room.
“Dave Evans!” Bianca called out, following him and blocking his path. “If something’s bothering you, say it. Don’t just walk away without a word. That’s one thing about you that really bothers me!”
Dave halted abruptly, his pain turning into a bitter smile.
He turned back to Bianca, forcing a smile, and said, “You don’t like that about me? Then what do you like? Someone like Blake?”
Bianca’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You’re being unreasonable!”
Unreasonable? He had been suppressing his anger, trying to be considerate of her feelings, keeping it to himself.
Did she even understand him? Only Bianca could push him to such lengths!
How could she accuse him of being unreasonable?
His laughter held a hint of anger as he approached her, his tall figure looming over her.
“Let me ask you something. You know Blake is Paige’s godson, and she wants you to date him. Knowing Blake might be there, Paige invited you to the hot spring resort. Why did you still go? Why didn’t you check beforehand?”
“I…” Bianca was caught off guard by his question. Earlier, Paige had mentioned joining a group of influential female agents in the industry.
She had been so focused on networking with these industry seniors that the possibility of Blake’s presence hadn’t crossed her mind. She hadn’t thought to ask Paige about it beforehand.
Bianca never saw Blake as a way to connect with Vincent. She always thought Paige’s suggestions about her and Blake were just playful jokes, not serious.
It wasn’t until today, when Paige set up a situation to bring them together, that Bianca realized how serious Paige was about it.
But when she tried to explain herself, it felt like she was lying. Bianca’s mouth moved, but she couldn’t find the right words.
Seeing Bianca’s hesitation, Dave understood he had struck a nerve.
With a touch of irony, he asked, “Bianca, were you excited to see Blake there? Is that why you were in such a rush to meet him?”
Bianca’s eyes widened as she looked at Blake, her eyelashes fluttering. She raised her voice in protest, “I never thought like that! I’ve told you before I didn’t know Blake would be there. I never even thought about it. He and I are just friends. There’s nothing more to it. Why can’t you trust me?”
Dave’s eyes showed a hint of redness. He pulled out his phone, showing photos from the news, and scoffed, “You were dancing with him, having dinners. He drove you home late, even gently brushed a leaf from your hair. Now you sneak off to the hot spring resort with him while I’m away. You say you’re just friends, and nothing happened? How can I believe that?”
Bianca was shocked. How did Dave know so much about where they had been? He even knew about the time Blake had helped her with a leaf in the neighborhood-it was such a small, specific detail.
She stared at him, bewildered. “How do you know all this? Have you been following me?”
Bianca came to the realization that bumping into Dave so frequently wasn’t just a random chance. She suspected he had orchestrated these encounters.
Dave’s chest heaved with anger. In a moment of frustration, he revealed that he had someone following her.
Bianca watched him as his earlier aggressive attitude melted away, confirming her suspicions.
It dawned on Bianca that Dave had been monitoring her actions all along, never truly trusting her.
Bianca staggered back, feeling a sudden unease towards the man before her.
Her voice trembling, Bianca confronted him, “Was everything you said about trusting me just to placate me? You never really believed in me. You’ve been suspicious of me all this time. How could you spy on me like that? It disgusts me!”
Dave stood still, shocked.
Bianca’s eyes welled up with tears of disappointment and fear.
The truth hit Dave hard, like a sudden cold shower. His anger faded, replaced by a feeling of helpless panic and a sharp pain in his heart.
He understood he had made her feel disgusted.
To her, he must appear like a creepy, mistrustful person.
Dave struggled to find the right words to explain himself.
He had to acknowledge she was right. He had doubted her from the beginning, and even after they became a couple, he suspected she might be unfaithful.
He hated himself for doubting her so deeply.
Dave moved closer, reaching out to hold her hand, but Bianca backed away, fear evident in her eyes as if he might harm her.
Her gaze, blending fear and disappointment, cut into him. With a sinking feeling, he realized he might be pushing her away.
Bianca gave Dave a sad, ironic smile and said, “I’ve always trusted and cared for you, never prying into your private matters. But now, I’m starting to wonder if I really understand who you are.”
Dave’s eyes narrowed with intensity. He swiftly grabbed her wrist and gently pressed Bianca against the wine cabinet in the living room. A few wine bottles shook, and one fell to the floor with a series of cracks, spilling wine that pooled at their feet.
Despite the tense moment, Dave held Bianca close in an embrace.
“What are you doing? Let me go! Don’t touch me!” Bianca protested, struggling to break free.
Despite her efforts, Dave didn’t release his grip.
Fear gripped Dave, afraid that if he let go, she might flee from him forever.
He stared at Bianca, his eyes filled with a whirlwind of emotions. He wanted to explain everything to her, but now wasn’t the right time.
He had kept his real self hidden, staying close to her solely to keep her safe. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to talk about it; he just couldn’t clarify things for her at that moment.