240: Chapter 240

Chapter 240

"Oh my god, Vernon. You called me the wrong name the month before, how am I supposed to feel loved when I know that you have another woman in your heart?" Shailene raised her voice out of frustration.  0

"Think, Vernon Phoenix Gray— think why I don't want to have sex with you for a month! Damn, You're the lowest kind of scum on earth!"

Vernon gulped out of nervousness. This time, he was completely tongue-tied, unable to respond properly as he realized he was 100% at fault here.

Vernon noticed that Shailene was getting worked up as she unleashed her grudge for so long, "Okay, okay. Can I do something to compensate for what I've done? Is money enough for compensation?"

Shailene took a deep breath. God knew how much she wanted to punch this jerk in the face for being so insensitive. 

A few years had passed, and he looked much more mature and wise, but all that was just a look. He was still the same manchild that didn't understand how to apologize. Even a simple sorry would have been great.

After all, it was years ago, and she was the one accepting Vernon's request to help him in the first place. 

Shailene took a deep breath and said, "Again, I don't need your money, Vernon."

"Then what do you want?"

'I dont know, maybe a simple fucking SORRY would be great,' Shailene said in her heart.

But since Vernon didn't seem to understand, she would rather keep it by herself. Because if she was the one who told Vernon to say sorry, then the apology would be insincere.

"Let's just forget about me. I've said what I want to say for so long. It's time to focus on this woman named Chloe—"

Shailene was interrupted when she noticed a waiter walking to their seat with a tray in his hand. He served the entree, two plates of grilled scallops with ginger and lime.

After the waiter put the plates on the table, he announced in a gentle voice, "Distinguished guests, we will provide music to help set up the mood."

The waiter clapped twice, and a man in a suit holding a violin came to their seat. 

He bowed his head politely, "Sir, Miss, please let me know if you have any music request."

Vernon's jaw dropped again. He forgot that he usually had a violinist playing for his dinner date here. He usually did it to set up the mood and make the woman he dated feel loved.

Though really, all he wanted was just fucking her or the connection she had to help his business. 

Shailene frowned, knowing that Vernon had no intention of romancing her again. She guessed there was some kind of miscommunication here.

"Did you accidentally set this up as a romantic date?"

"It's a miscommunication. My secretary already said that we're having a business dinner, but the owner thought I was having a romantic dinner with a new date," Vernon replied.

"Oh, thank god."

"Huh? Thank god? For what?" Vernon asked.

"Becuase there's no way in hell I'm going to fuck a dirty scum like you," Shailene said ruthlessly.

She expected Vernon to insult her back, but Vernon only bit his lower lip and said nothing.

Then, he proceeded to eat his food without talking, thinking it was the best way to make the situation less tense between them.

Shailene sighed, and she started eating the scallops as well;

'He is so hopeless. I don't know what kind of woman will be willing to stay with him.'

**

Vernon and Shailene had a full-course meal in silence until the dessert came. 

Realizing that the mood had settled down, Vernon finally asked, "So, Shailene, I don't know if you still remember this. But I invite you for dinner because I need your help as a psychologist."

"Yes, I remember," Shailene replied. "You want me to console you, right?"

"Yeah, I need your advice, because I don't know how to face her," Vernon said.

"Mind telling me the profile of this woman first?" Shailene asked. "I only know her name, age, and status—"

"—Chloe, age 35, status: the woman that you've been in love with for so long."

Vernon's cheeks reddened out of shame. Since he was facing Shailene, it would be unhelpful if he denied the last information.

So he nodded and murmured, "Yeah, that's correct."

"You know that it's easier if I simply meet her, right? I can ask many things from her, and will give a better judgment on what kind of advice I should give," Shailene said, giving a better option for Vernon.

"I can do that, but not now," 

"Why not?"

"She… she still hasn't trusted me yet. I don't think allowing you to meet her is a wise choice. She will feel uncomfortable," Vernon explained. 

"So, you want me to give you an advice on how to make her open up and trust you?"

"Yes."

"Then let's start with the basics, tell me everything you know about her," Shailene took out her iPad, ready to make a note for the information from Vernon.

Vernon was thinking for a while, trying to find a good start before he spoke.

Shailene waited until she finished her dessert. Vernon only hummed and looked up many times as if trying to filter everything in his head. 

Shailene silently noted this since Vernon never seemed to be in so much thought when it involved someone before, at least from her observation. 

But after almost twenty minutes of not speaking, Shailene got a little impatient and said, "Vernon, are you uncomfortable speaking about her here?"

"Ah, you finally understand me," Vernon said. "I'm just inviting you here to ask if you're down to help me. You know— I thought I had to persuade you a little."

"Oh, usually, you need to persuade me a lot, Vernon. But I happen to take interest in this woman named Chloe, remember?" Shailene said. "Then, why don't we go to my apartment? It's not far from here, it should make you more comfortable talking about private things, right?"

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