Chapter 159 Faint

When Maranda put forward her question, Jean found that she had no answer as to why she wasn't taking Zed's call. So Jean sighed and swiped the screen to answer the call.

"Why did you take so long?" Zed asked with concern.

"Um..." Jean didn't know where to start. So many things had happened. Since she felt a little guilty, Jean decided to apologize, "I'm sorry. Something came up and I forgot to call you. You must have been worried."

"You got busy? Right after you got off the bus?" Zed said in disbelief. It's not like Jean had gone to the company and found herself swamped with assignments. She was traveling to a shoot location. What could have kept her so busy on the bus ride that she forgot to call?

"I wanted to come back early, so I've been trying to finish a few things." Jean replied feebly hoping that Zed would be pacified with that answer.

"Okay. Take care of yourself and don't work too hard." A part of Zed believed Jean's explanation. And so, he decided to gently remind her that while work was important, she needed to take care of herself as well.

The thought that Jean was working longer hours so that she could come home early made Zed smile.

"I will. Take care of yourself as well, okay? You have just recovered. If you exhaust yourself, you'll have a relapse. Get plenty of rest, yeah?" Jean reminded Zed that he was still weak from his last illness and that although he felt well, his body needed time to recover its full strength. Thinking about Zed's concern, Jean blushed.

Zed smiled at Jean's thoughtfulness. He liked that she was slowly talking to him and expressing her feelings and concerns. This was a new milestone in their relationship. He could sense that she was still being a little reserved. He also knew that Jean didn't like to ask for help. And so, he said, "If there's any trouble at all, make sure you call me, all right?" Zed was worried. This wasn't Jean's first business trip, but a lot of people were envious of her and often caused trouble. Zed wanted to make sure that Jean understood that he would help and support her as best as possible.

"I know." Jean smiled as she whispered. Regardless of the ups and downs in their relationship, the one thing she knew without a doubt was that Zed would always be there for her.

After Zed ended the call, Jean sighed with relief. She was glad that he hadn't been upset that she had forgotten to call. Jean was also relieved that he accepted her explanation and didn't probe her for more information.

"Jean, it looks like you are afraid of Zed." Maranda concluded after hearing Jean's side of the conversation. She furrowed her brows as she spoke to Jean.

"Afraid? No, that's not it. I respect him, all right?" Jean was not sure what part of her call had given Maranda that impression, but she corrected her friend with a smile.

"I saw your expression and heard the tone of your voice when you were talking to Zed. Your face reddened and it looked like you could barely breathe. You had a perfectly valid reason for not calling him, and yet, you refused to tell him. You listened to him and gave very short answers." B

“Do you still want to run away after what happened last night?”

Their relationship changes overnight. She tries to keep her distance from him, while he comes closer and closer.

Spoiling her, he gives her everything she desires. His only wish is to keep her around. The whole world is envious of what she has.

“Never rush in a relationship,” she says calmly.

that Jean saw mesmerized her.

Everywhere she looked, Jean saw green. This was so refreshingly different from the concrete and metal scene in the city. Even the air she breathed was fragrant.

Jean wasn't in a hurry to leave. She left the camera hanging on her neck as she stretched her arms above her head and slowly closed her eyes.

When she opened her eyes, her whole body was filled with a sense of satisfaction that she had never felt before.

What if she could live here, away from everything?

Jean could just imagine what life would be like in a small house in the middle of a scenic spot like this one. There were no people around at all. She would be free from everything, the Wen family, complications with Ethan and Selena, and everything else that had troubled her.

But, would Zed love living here?

She smiled when she thought of life with Zed in a place like this.

Still lost in her fantasy world, Jean didn't pay much attention to the whereabouts of her colleagues.

Halfway back to the spot where she had left her friends, Jean saw John. He seemed to have finished taking his photographs. So they walked back together.

"I wonder how Maranda is doing." Jean asked casually, as she picked up a leaf and put it in her mouth.

John didn't answer. Instead, he fidgeted and looked uncomfortable.

Jean didn't expect any answer from him since she had just voiced a thought.

John kept silent as he walked. Then, he suddenly stopped and looked at Jean. "Jean, I want to say something."

Jean, who had been walking with her head bowed, didn't notice that John had stopped. She almost bumped into him.

"What do you want to say, " she asked before remembering that Maranda was alone. So she quickly added, "Let's talk after we find Maranda." Jean brushed past John without giving him time to reply.

"Jean..." John said as he reached out and grabbed her arm. His expression showed the sincerity and turmoil he was feeling.

Jean's heart started to pound all of a sudden.

"Hey, you two. The girl over there, is she your friend? She just fainted."