19 Chapter 18

"Julianna."

The cold voice was enough to stop their laughter. Both of them turned to the man whose pair of eyes were looking at them with intensity they couldn't understand. The excitement he felt earlier turned to a cold gaze. How could she flirt with someone he barely knew?

"Brandon!" Jason called breaking the cold ice that seemed to envelope the entire place the moment he called her name. "I was passing by and saw her alone so I stopped to accompany her."

"Lunch is ready." He said coldly not interested in what he said then turned away and headed back to where he came. The two of them followed him to the mansion quietly.

Julianna wondered what made him tense like that. He was very different from the man who had kissed her lovingly a week ago. Her cheeks blushed a slight pink just at the thought of his warm, yearning lips pressed onto hers. She could almost still savor their kiss even by just looking at his back. She imagined their relationship would be closer when he arrived but she was disappointed that he is the same cold, aloof guy as he was when he first met him.

Just as they entered the kitchen, the woman she saw with him in his car met him and sat him down beside her. Jealousy crept all over her. Serena was holding onto his arms like a possessive wife protecting her husband. Was the business he referred to had something to do with this woman?

"Julianna," Jason called. Hearing her name made her come back to reality and saw that everyone except her were all sitting around the table.

"Oh," she said as she hurriedly went to the vacant chair beside Jason which happened to be opposite Brandon.

"Everything looks delicious, Aunt D!" Serena said with excitement.

"I hope you all enjoy the food I prepared," Dorothy replied.

Everyone started to eat quietly. Julianna reached for her favorite braised pork but when she did, Jason also happened to reach for the same piece Julianna picked. She gave way and let Jason have it only to be surprised when Jason took it and placed it on her plate.

"You can have it," he said then winked at her.

"Thanks," she said as she smiled, unaware of the laser-like eyes looking at both of them.

Aunt Dorothy's braised pork has become her favorite dish. So the moment Jason gave her a piece, she immediately took a bite and ate quietly without looking at the others especially the person sitting opposite her who is obviously annoyed with her actions. Because most of the conversation they have were about their experiences during the time they were abroad, there wasn't much to say. So she was surprised when she heard her name again.

"What do you do for a living, Julianna?" The woman beside Brandon asked.

"Huh?"

"I was asking what you do for a living. I heard your parents are also wealthy. Why are you here?" The woman asked, obviously irritated.

"I'm a lingerie model. My friend is a lingerie designer. I am also a part owner of the same lingerie brand."

"Oh. So you wear his pieces for photoshoot?" Jason asked amused.

"Yes. My friend is also a talented photographer..."

"Is that something to be proud of?" Brandon asked bluntly, his annoyance obvious, silencing her and whatever she was about to say vanished in thin air.

"Well, not everyone has a great body and face as she is, so she should be proud of it." The woman beside him said with sarcasm.

"Do you really like men feasting at your almost naked body at every photoshoot?" Brandon said, disgust filled his face.

"Brandon, stop!" Aunt Dorothy was quick to stop him before he says anything more.

Julianna stood up, "It's ok Aunt Dorothy. Excuse me, I'll have to head upstairs first." She left without glancing at anyone.

After taking a few steps, her eyes welled with tears as she thought of what he just said. More than the embarrassment she felt was the pain that shot through her heart, hearing the same man who she had opened her heart to say the most hurtful words she would ever hear from anyone. She hastened her footsteps until she was almost running, then went straight to her room. There she wept silently and painfully.