Chapter 386 - Gloomy thoughts.....

But then, he might have come off as being too forward. One never really knew with women. She might have found another reason to be offended about how he did not even bother to ask her out properly, but instead, just dragged her along like she was some log of wood with no feelings and no thoughts. 

The more he thought about it, the gloomier he became. His head was starting to throb from too much thinking. And now, his friends were making things even worse by jesting.

To ease himself even further, he walked towards the gramophone at the end of the room. Beside it was a stack of old records arranged alphabetically on a stand.

He leafed through absentmindedly and found one of his favorites, then slot it in. the melodious music of Xian Xinghai filled the large study room.

Edward made his way back to where his friends were seated, watching him like he were some strange new animal. He sat down and twirled his glass absentmindedly.

"Oh, I think I know exactly what has gotten Edward here in his feelings," Henry said, springing up from his seat excitedly. 

"Do you all remember the pretty little thing we saw at his office the other day? I could see the l.u.s.t written all over our man's face, especially when she turned her back to us," he added looking eagerly at the other two to see if they were buying his idea.

The suppressed looks on their faces said they did but were trying hard not to show it. Henry, of all the four of them, lacked tact the most. Perhaps, he did not really lack it. He just did not see the point of employing it.

"Edward, is any of this foolishness he's yapping about true?" Jun Mo inquired sternly. The others sometimes teased him about acting too old for his age. As if he were the father to the others.

"There is absolutely no truth to it. I, however, have an interesting story concerning the girl," Edward responded.

"Aha!" Henry chirped gleefully. He was so certain his suspicions were right.

He left the part about her refusal to ride with him back home because that would have only been more fodder for Henry to make stupid jokes about.

"Oh, Edward!" Jun Mo exclaimed with a palm to his face. "How could you be so callous? That girl seemed like a nice young woman and if you cannot afford to court her like a decent human being, perhaps you should not even be with her at all." His exasperation was b.a.r.e for all to see.

But Edward thought different. "I was honest. There were sparks between us that we could no longer ignore, but don't you think for one second that I would let her think I am about to fall in love with some naïve little girl, because that really is the only reason I would be going through the stress of trying too actually date her when I, in fact, could be doing the good work and helping her learn the ways of the flesh, as I intend to," he said, beaming a confident smile, his mood greatly improved. 

He and Henry share an indiscreet fist bump. This was how he knew to be. He could not accept any form of vulnerability, especially not about a woman and in front of his boys. 

He felt pleased at himself. This was a total save. Now, these clowns would quit thinking he was up in his feelings because he had caught the love bug. His reputation was still very much intact.

"I completely agree with Edward. Falling in love is for losers, no offence," Henry said nodding.

"Of course, you would say that. You who have absolutely no regard for women. You think of them as toys in your o.b.s.c.e.n.e collection," Jun Mo chided. 

"Edward, it is your decision to make but you must know that whatever comes of it is also your burden to bear. You are a hard man, I have no doubt, but the ways of women are beyond comprehension. 

Just like the goddess, beware, lest this so-called naïve girl goes stealing your heart like the goddess stole the elixir of immortality from Hou Yi," Jun Mo said, following through with Edward's earlier reference to deity.

"Be careful, Edward. Especially for the poor girl's sake," he finished.

"Oh, please! Is that grey hair I see on your heads?" Henry teased. "Because you are suddenly acting like wise old sages, when in fact, you are young men given to debauchery. 

Let my man here enjoy his moment with that nice piece of ass…" He was not done talking when Edward tackled him to the ground, landing him a few playful punches.

"What?" Henry protested from his crumpled position on the ground. "She is just a piece of a.s.s to you, is she not?" he asked, placing emphasis on the question.

Edward felt strange feelings course through him. He wanted to punch Henry to a pulp for talking that way about Amy. 

He wanted to give him a stern warning that she was definitely worth more than such low sounding opinions of her. But what would that prove, he wondered. 

He knew the answer and it was not one he was willing to admit to himself, how much more his friends. So, instead, he got off Henry and resumed his position. 

When he reached for his wine glass, he saw that he had knocked it over during the mad dash for Henry.

"You all need to f.u.c.k off," he said in a sulky voice. The two others stifled their laughter while Henry got up and tried to straighten his clothes out.

They shared a few more drinks, brought in by Edward's butler, while munching on the bits of biscuits and sweets Jun Mo had carried in earlier.