Chapter 87 - Jealousy

At the bar of the Baus Hotel, Ellie was actually with her staff, who had helped her prepare for her first show in New York. "I am so grateful for all your help. Thanks to all of you, today's event was very successful and went smoothly," Angeline said, greeted by enthusiastic applause. Alex stood beside Angeline, proud of her as well. Meanwhile, Bryan had arrived at the hotel bar and immediately figured out where Angeline was. Afraid of being recognized, he hid behind an object that shielded his body. "Why is Angeline with Alex, the playboy, again? Why are they always together?" Bryan muttered irritably. "To liven things up, how about Angeline and Alex doing a love shot?" one of the staffers suggested, which was met with excitement from the others. "But..." "Just once," Alex said, and Angeline nodded in agreement. Bryan was clearly furious when he heard this. He emerged from his hiding place and sat down next to the bartender. "Give me the strongest drink you have," Bryan ordered the bartender. "You two look great together. I think you'd make a perfect couple," another employee commented. "Actually, you even look alike," added another. Bryan got even angrier when he heard these silly remarks. "How can Alex look like Angeline? That's impossible. My flower looks so beautiful. It doesn't go with that ugly fly!" Bryan muttered, glancing at her from time to time as he took sips of his drink. "So when are Alex and Angeline getting married?" someone asked. Alex looked at Angeline. "Whenever you want, I'm ready anytime," Alex replied and Angeline blushed. "I don't know," Angeline replied hesitantly. "Hey, is marriage really that important? After all, when we die, we'll be alone," Bryan asked the chubby guy next to him. The person he asked just kept quiet, assuming Bryan was already drunk. Bryan, getting angrier, started babbling incoherently, causing a commotion. Angeline heard the commotion and turned around. She didn't recognize Bryan because she only saw his back. However, she smiled amusedly at the man's antics. "May I ask when was your first kiss?" she continued. Bryan, who was almost asleep due to his drunkenness, perked up immediately when he heard this sentence. "Ah, we've never done it," Alex replied, making everyone laugh. "Angeline, how would you like to do it just once? Consider it a celebration of your successful exhibition here," Alex suggested, taking Angeline by surprise. "Alex, don't joke like that." "I'm not joking, I'm serious." "Come on, just do it and we'll close our eyes!" The friends cheered, urging Alex and Angeline to kiss right then and there. Bryan panicked when he saw Alex move his lips closer to Angeline's. A few seconds later, Alex pressed his lips to Angeline's without giving her a chance to object. Angeline was overwhelmed and had to pull at the back of Alex's jacket, hoping that he would stop the kiss because she was almost out of breath. But that was just Bryan's imagination. Ellie's friends had actually asked for a kiss between Ellie and Alex, but Alex didn't do it because he knew Angeline wouldn't like it. Panicked and not wanting his fantasy to become reality, Bryan quickly sent a message to Angeline. [Let's meet at the nearby park.] [Okay, I'll be there soon.] Angeline smiled happily and agreed to meet him. Now Angeline had arrived at the park and was looking for Bella. "Excuse me, are you Bella?" "Ah, no." "Sorry." Every woman who passed Angeline asked, "Are you Miss Bella?" But it turned out that Angeline couldn't find Miss Bella. A little far away from where Angeline was sitting, Bryan was already watching her. Bryan took out his cell phone and sent a message. "Have you arrived?" [Yes, haven't you?] [I'm sorry, it turns out I can't make it because I have a high fever]. Angeline was disappointed, her expression showed it. "What does that painting mean to you? Why do you want it back so badly?" "It's my first real work, and it's not just a painting to me. It's like family or a part of me. It's my most precious memory, a memory that shines like an unforgettable gem." "Isn't now the brightest and most precious time of your life?" "I like my life now too, but it can't compare with the memories I had back then." "Why am I pouring my heart out to a client?" Angeline muttered as she realized. Bryan decided to drink alone tonight. After learning the meaning of the painting, his heart was even more confused. He remembered everything Angeline had said in their conversation earlier. He could even hear Angeline's voice saying those words. "She hasn't changed at all. I just gave you a deep wound. How can you say that it's a beautiful memory that shines like a precious gem?" Bryan muttered with a sad expression on his face. Angeline was in her hotel room now. She looked at a photo of Jason and smiled while watching a video her aunt had sent her. Jason, who had become talkative, sang his favorite song and danced. Angeline laughed happily as she watched him and felt comforted after her heart had been wounded. She regretted not being able to teach Jason together. But Angeline couldn't force it because many people knew about Jason. And Angeline didn't want people to know about Jason's existence and make up strange stories about him or misunderstand her closeness to Alex, which was already causing confusion among people. Suddenly she heard a loud banging on her room door, which startled her. Outside, Bryan, who was highly intoxicated, had mistakenly used the wrong room key. He tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge. "I've always stayed in room 2006. Why can't I open that room now?" Angeline was frightened and immediately called hotel security. "Can you come over here? Someone is banging on my door and screaming. I don't know who it is." "All right, we'll send a guard. Please wait a moment." While waiting for help to arrive, Angeline picked up her high heels and prepared to kick anyone who was causing trouble at her door. Bryan fell to his knees, his body unable to stand upright. He kept pounding on the door, shouting, "Sim salabim abracadabra. Open the door!" When the door finally opened, Angeline was ready to pounce, heels in hand, while Bryan, who was sitting on the floor, grabbed Angeline's body. They both fell together and were shocked to see each other's faces. "Angeline, why did you come out of my room?" Bryan asked. "No, this is my room." "No, it's mine," Bryan insisted, pointing to room 2006.