Chapter 641
How dare Fernanda label him that way!
By the time his thoughts cleared, Fernanda’s tall, slender figure had vanished, leaving only an empty corridor behind.
Rafael’s frustration boiled over as he swung his foot out and delivered a harsh kick to the sink. His eyes then drifted to the mirror, locking onto his reflection.
The mirror caught his dark, turbulent expression under the soft yellow light, an unsettling contrast to the cold fire in his gaze.
“Not a simp!” his inner voice shouted, his thoughts a tangled mess of defiance. “I’m only chasing after Ava—nothing more.”
As he stepped into the restroom, someone unexpectedly emerged, and they nearly collided.
“Jeff?”
Rafael froze, caught off guard. “What brings you here?”
“Just getting a quick bite. What are the chances?” Jeff said with a warm smile.
Since Rafael’s failed schemes against Fernanda at the villa, Jeff had distanced himself from him.
Their friendship had once been solid, but that was before Jeff discovered the true nature of Rafael’s character. The moment he realized who Rafael was, he pulled back.
Despite Rafael’s repeated attempts to reconnect, Jeff remained distant, and eventually, Rafael stopped trying altogether.
Losing one friend wasn’t a big deal to him—at least, that was what Rafael told himself.
Rafael’s gaze flicked around, and instinctively, he stepped in front of Jeff, his voice sharp with urgency. “How much of my conversation with Fernanda did you overhear?”
The walls of the restroom weren’t exactly thick.
Rafael suspected Fernanda’s scolding had reached ears beyond the intended target.
Jeff answered without hesitation, “I heard it all.”
Rafael’s face darkened. It was as if his very pride had been torn away, leaving him raw. Anger surged, and he fired back, his voice defensive, “So, you’ve turned into a spy now? That’s pretty low.”
“I didn’t mean to overhear, but you two were raising quite a ruckus,” Jeff replied smoothly, his smile never faltering. “Don’t worry. I’m not in the business of spreading rumors. What you said stays between us.”
“Come on.” Rafael’s tone sharpened, a hint of defensiveness creeping in. “There’s no secret here. I’ve got nothing to hide! I didn’t fight back because I’m above it. That’s called being a gentleman.”
Jeff’s expression remained unchanged, still calm. “I understand.”
Even so, the unease didn’t leave Rafael. Desperation gnawed at him, and his voice dropped slightly as he sought some kind of reassurance. “Jeff, do you think I’m a simp?”
For a brief moment, Jeff stood there in silence, his expression unreadable.
However, Rafael couldn’t tear his eyes away, his anticipation palpable. What he sought was simple—a counter to Fernanda’s cruel words, something to affirm his worth and dispel the sting of the insult. He needed someone, anyone, to assure him.
.
.
.