CHAPTER 145: THE OTHER WOMAN

’Don’t do anything reckless, woman.’

Jenna repeated the words Rhane had told her to herself, after Olivia gave her news of what happened with her outburst. The words came back fresh in her mind, and she chewed her lips.

Was this what he meant when he told her this...did he know something like this would happen? Then he should have told her so she would try not to think of stabbing Gerald’s face.

"What are you going to do?" Olivia asked, rubbing her palm together, "He’s lost all his points..." the young added.

Jenna weaved her fingers through her hair, walking away from the carriage. She began to walk forward then stopped and turned. "He lost...oh..." she sat on her heels, pressing her face in between her knees.

"He’s going to ruin me as promised," Jenna cried, pushing her body up. She walked back to the carriage, "I’d rather go back and wait for this to end..."

Olivia snickered, enjoying Jenna’s confusion. "He’s a fine man," the girl muttered.

Jenna turned to look at her, with her brows furrowed.

"Well...I did say he’s scary but..." Olivia hummed, "If you choose him then I’m very sure he is better than the rest gathered. And if that’s the case...he wouldn’t hang your body on an oak tree for making him lose a point he worked hard for."

Jenna snarled, "I really appreciate the effort to make me feel better." She remarked dryly, dropping her shoulder.

Olivia giggled, taking Jenna’s hand. "Now quick let’s go, everyone has forgotten about and is just ready for the drinking contest, though I don’t know what is so lovely about being intoxicated by liquor but I’m excited."

Jenna followed the girl, but when she saw Rhane, she stopped, "Go ahead Olivia, I’ll be with you soon."

The young girl didn’t argue, she hopped along with other women leaving Jenna behind.

Jenna waited for Rhane, once she saw him coming her way with Percy, she rubbed her cold palm together. He wouldn’t meet her gaze but she knew he could see her. Jenna turned and walked around then paused.

"I’m sorry Rhane...I didn’t...no," Jenna licked her lips, "Why let them take away all your efforts... because of me? No...that’s...that’s," Jenna chewed her nails. When she raised her face, she saw Rhane getting closer but then he stopped.

Jenna watched her father say something to Rhane and both men turned walking in a different direction. Jenna frowned, she didn’t like the situation. Her first thought was her father trying to get Rhane to change his mind and abandon her. Moving her feet to follow them, Jenna was stopped by Lady Rachel.

"We are going inside, Jenna," the older woman informed, "And yes I forgive your actions but that would be the last. The next time you’re going to be punished for it."

Jenna followed the woman but her eyes remained on Rhane, she decided to go with Lady Rachel then find a way to meet with Rhane secretly before the next contest.

As the women walked inside, they didn’t take notice of Lois who had been standing in the same position since the event began.

Lois had golden frocks of her hair falling over her face but she didn’t attempt to move it. Her eyes stared blankly into space.

"Rhane," the name echoed in her mind, resounding with Jenna’s voice.

Jenna had stood up to defend him, something she would never have thought to do. And Lois couldn’t deny it, she saw the glint in his eyes when Jenna did that. It was a smile, it brightened his always cold face. An expression she wished for herself Jenna had gotten so easily.

Lois squeezed her palm tightly, she didn’t want this. She had only been happy for Jenna because she loved another. Who could have known that they both wanted the same man? And if she was being honest, Rhane belonged to Jenna.

Why?! Lois’ jaw ticked. It made her want him even more, she wanted his eyes to be on her like they were always on Jenna. To have his smile and attention. To have his everything, but then she didn’t want to be a bad person to Jenna.

They hadn’t met on a good note but that didn’t mean she would take Jenna’s man away from her.

Lois pressed her lips tightly, she didn’t want to be that other woman. The kind that forced herself on another’s man. She had always been a supporter and not a hater. Why had life been so twisted as to put her in such a position?

A place where she wished so bad for Rhane to lose even if it’d bring tears to Jenna’s heart. But in the end, she still had other two men to pick from.

"No, Lois. Don’t let the vermin grow." Lois muttered under her breath. She rubbed her face, "Let him go, you are not like that...you are good. There are other men—"

What if there isn’t? What if this is the only man for you. Jenna had been married and taken already. Rhane doesn’t deserve that, he deserves a virgin!

Lois had her mind battling with thoughts that made her want to rip her eyes and brain out from her body. It wasn’t like her to be this way.

"Vermin!" she cried out loud.

"Oh...been called a lot but not that."

The voice startled Lois, and she gasped. Seeing the man in front of her, she bowed. "It is bad to sneak up on a lady."

"Not when the lady keeps cursing me to herself."

Lois raised her face, she recognized the man. He was the one who had come to see Jenna before the ritual. But if Jenna wanted Rhane and used to be married to Gerald, then who was this?

"Do I have something on my face?" Hart asked with a smile, "I’ve gotten many looks from women but not this."

Lois looked away, she had been so deep in thought that she didn’t control her emotions. "I wasn’t cursing you."

"Then were you speaking to yourself instead? All alone?" Hart grinned, with his head tilted to the side.

Lois gulped, "Yes I was and it’s none of—" she bit her lips, it wasn’t necessary to snap at the young man who did nothing...or well who should have done something like stealing Jenna’s heart!

"I have a feeling you do have a vendetta, I don’t know of," Hart remarked with a sigh, "Tough women don’t seem to enjoy the company of a handsome man." He teased, seeing the expected reaction on Lois’ face he threw his back and laughed.

"Anyways lady, you’re too pretty to speak alone to yourself, to save you that shame I’ll take the vermin." Hart gave her a swift nod and turned to leave.

"W-win!" Lois heard her own voice and cringed, when Hart’s gaze fell on her. She took in a deep breath and repeated, "Win...Jenna does love you. She said it herself."

Hart glanced down at her dress and smiled, "That is a strong confession, and a pretty dress you have on." He remarked casually, "Now I really feel like winning it all." He continued laughing as he walked away.

Lois bit her lips hard that she almost tasted blood, she didn’t know why she had said that but she didn’t regret it. Hart wasn’t a bad man, that was what she deduced from their conversation. If he married Jenna then it wouldn’t be a problem...he wasn’t going to be a beast right?

The young woman assured herself. All she had to do was to get Rhane to notice her.