Mysterious Mrs. Pansy

“We’re leaving now,” Patrick announced firmly, noting Osborn’s unwavering gaze on Jane, which irked him. After bidding goodbye to Osborn, he ushered Jane into the box.

Seated, she questioned, “Do you know Osborn?”

“We used to be neighbors,” Patrick replied nonchalantly.

“Are you close to him?” Jane probed, peering at him with a dubious expression.

Patrick narrowed his eyes, casting her a suspicious glance. “What, are you interested in him?”

“Of course not,” Jane denied.

“I just have a friend who’s an Osborn fan. I didn’t expect you to know him. Since you do, maybe you can help me get his autograph?”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Really?” Patrick huffed.

“Yes,” Jane nodded, aware of his displeasure.

Despite there being nothing between her and Carl, Patrick persistently assumed otherwise. He constantly reminded her of her status as his fiancée.

What if he discovered that Osborn had been pursuing her for the last two years? “What would you like to eat?” Patrick asked, handing her the menu.

“You can order what you like. I don’t mind,” Jane returned the menu, occupied with thoughts of Osborn.

Accepting it, Patrick confidently placed an order for a myriad of spicy dishes.

Jane was taken aback as she listened to the waiter take down his selections. These dishes were her favorites! And if she remembered correctly, Patrick didn’t enjoy spicy food. At least, she had never seen him eat it before.

“Do you also like spicy food?” Jane asked in surprise.

“You have a hand injury. I think it’s best to avoid overly spicy items.”

“No, I don’t like it,” Patrick said dismissively.

“Then why…” Jane’s jaw dropped in shock as the dishes arrived on the table.

“I ordered them so you wouldn’t think I’m heartless,” Patrick explained with a faint smile.

Jane was speechless. Even though all the dishes were her favorites, she lacked an appetite at that moment. Her mind was fixated on Osborn’s sudden return.

Did something happen to Star Entertainment? Unlikely, as she would’ve known. “Sorry. I need to use the bathroom,” Jane excused herself, feeling a sudden stomach ache.

Nodding with a furrowed brow, Patrick couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss with Jane, particularly after her persistent discussions about Osborn.

As Jane neared the bathroom door, she noticed a tall figure standing outside – it was Osborn. He leaned against the wall, a cigarette between his fingers, his handsome face somber. Spotting Jane, he immediately stubbed out the cigarette; he knew she detested the smell.

“Jane, why have you been avoiding me? Why didn’t you respond to my calls or emails?” Osborn asked, his eyes heavy with sorrow.

“Sorry. I’ve been very busy and haven’t checked my emails,” Jane replied with a forced smile, aware of the contents of those messages without reading them.

Over the last two years, Osborn had penned numerous love letters to her, but she simply wasn’t interested. He was merely a great work partner and a wonderful friend, but nothing more.

“Really?” Osborn inquired with a frown.

Jane nodded hurriedly, then delved into her pressing concern. “Weren’t you supposed to be overseas? Why did you suddenly return? Business? Or something personal?”

“If I hadn’t come back, you would have become someone else’s wife,” Osborn confessed bluntly.

Gazing at the woman he’d been smitten with for two years, Osborn was overwhelmed by emotion.

Two years ago, Maltz Group encountered financial turmoil, and the affiliated entertainment company faced closure. Osborn was despondent. Fate brought him to Jane, then studying in France, deeply passionate about the entertainment industry. She invested in Maltz Group, effectively establishing Star Entertainment – behind the scenes, she was the mastermind. Osborn, to the public, was the CEO and founder of Star Entertainment.

During that trying period, it was Jane who uplifted Osborn, saving Maltz Group from ruin. She encouraged him to film more movies, supplying ample resources that established him as the sought-after movie legend he’d become.

These memories stirred Osborn’s emotions. He stepped closer, locking eyes with her. “Jane, are you engaged to Patrick?”

Jane sighed deeply. She wasn’t sure how to explain to him that they weren’t meant for each other. Osborn refused to accept it, asserting, “Even though you don’t love me, you can’t stop me from loving you.”

After some contemplation, Jane spoke slowly, “It’s a bit complex. This isn’t something that can be condensed into a few words. How about we schedule a time for a proper discussion?”

“I just need a straightforward answer, Jane. Are you engaged to Patrick? Yes or no?” Osborn pressed.

“Yes,” Jane nodded. Her engagement to Patrick was originally intended to last only three months, but until it ended, she remained his fiancée. She wasn’t deceiving Osborn; she simply didn’t want to give him false hope that he could be her partner in the future. After all, since he and Patrick were friends, he’d surely respect her decision. Osborn was deeply hurt by Jane’s words.

“Why? Is Patrick better than me?” he inquired with a tinge of sadness.

“No. I just believe that he and I are more compatible,” Jane explained. “You know, Osborn, I’ve always told you that we aren’t right for each other.”

“No!” An indescribable look of pain flashed across Osborn’s handsome face as he gripped her shoulders and gazed into her eyes. “Jane, please give me a chance. I promise to do better than Patrick. I’ll prove to you that I’m more suited for you than he is.”

“Osborn, please let go of me!” Jane scolded, but Osborn clung even tighter.

“Jane, don’t be so cruel to me, please,” Osborn pleaded, his voice quivering. Jane forcibly removed his hands from her shoulders and said angrily, “We aren’t a good match. Why can’t you understand that?”

Meanwhile, Patrick had been patiently waiting for Jane in the box. When she didn’t return, he decided to check the bathroom. From a distance, he spotted Jane and Osborn standing together in what seemed like an intimate posture.