Chapter 4: Two Choices (2)

Zesther's sudden outburst was a shock for Jarx. In the past, his ex-husband has never almost raised his voice like that to him

The few instances that happened were when Jarx committed big mistakes. Zesther had never become this angry about little mistakes. Not to mention, Jarx was not the one that committed the mistake this time

This left Jarx at a loss, his teeth biting his lower lip as his eyes reddened a bit

Right... they are not married anymore. Why would Jarx think that Zesther would still treat him better than other people?

This is the real Zesther. A cold and aloof person that is hard to get along with. Whenever his employees made mistakes, he would make them feel like they just committed a crime

Jarx shouldn't have been so surprised by that outburst anymore

'Right, this is normal' Jarx chanted in his mind as he swallowed the bitter taste that appeared on his tongue

His reactions did not escape Zesther's eyes and the man felt like he was just electrocuted

Zesther can feel an itch in his hands as if they were screaming for him to stretch his arm out and pat the other man's head to comfort him

In the past, he had always made sure not to raise his voice to Jarx as much as possible and this incident made him feel guilty

However, on the second thought, why should Zesther continue doing that? They are not together anymore and there is no need to hold back

"Sit down. I'll give you a few minutes to think. If you still can't give me an answer then I can't do anything else for you. I'm not a magician, I don't always know what is going through in your head" Zesther said as he motioned for the chair in front of Shanty's chair. His words seem to contain double meanings but neither Zesther nor Jarx notices that

Zesther has warmed up a bit as he spoke using a calm tone again but he maintained his firmness

As if he was hypnotized, Jarx sat on the chair, his brain working at its full capacity

Should they lie or not... what should Jarx choose...

Anxiousness grew in Jarx's heart causing him to raise his hand to bit the nail in his thumb

Zesther saw that and he frowned, thinking that Jarx's habit still hasn't changed

As for the forgotten Shanty, she used this chance to escape. She wanted to help in cleaning the situation but as long as there is Zesther's presence, her mind wouldn't work

Seconds... minutes passed with Jarx biting his finger while thinking but no matter how hard he tries, he still cannot make a decision

The more anxious he felt, the stronger the force his teeth generated causing him to bite off a large chunk of his nail and his finger bled

However, Jarx did not notice that as he continued his thinking spree

Zesther's frown deepened and his body moved by instinct. He went to grab a plaster in the first aid kit inside his workroom before standing in front of Jarx

His large body blocked the light from the lightbulb in the ceiling, casting a shadow on Jarx's face, and only then did Jarx's mind return to reality as he raised his head

Zesther silently grabbed Jarx's right hand. In the past, he already knew that Jarx's fingers were beautiful but even more so today

Every finger of Jarx was long and slender. They look clean and also a bit cute since they get red easily

These fingers felt smooth to the touch and the nails were cut short in a neat manner as expected of a celebrity. On his wrist was a silver wristwatch that complemented his pale skin

Truly a beautiful set of fingers and wrist that even Zesther can't help but compliment them in his mind

Jarx's hand trembled a bit as he felt the slightly cold temperature from the plaster that Zesther wrapped on his thumb

"T-thank you..." Jarx can only say that with his head hanging low while his heart swelled with uncontrollable and unexplainable emotions

"I already told you to fix that quirk of yours. It's unhygienic" Zesther said before returning to his seat at the other end of the table

"Don't do that next time. Now, there is a piece of your nail on the floor and if I didn't put the plaster, your blood might have also dirtied the floor" Zesther replied, his hands hiding below the table as he scratched them to remove the tingling sensation that suddenly engulfs them when he touched his ex-husband's hand

"Tsk" Jarx clicked his tongue in annoyance though his fingers unconsciously rubbed the plaster in his thumb

Silence reigned between the two yet again. The atmosphere turned awkward for no reason

"..."

"..."

"So?" Zesther muttered

"So..."

"..."

With how quiet the room was, if a needle was dropped on the floor, it would definitely create a loud sound. And that is when the door was suddenly swung open

"Zesther you brat! Did you do something to Jarx why is it so quiet now?!" The old grandpa, Yves Nixon shouted as soon as he aggressively pushed the door open

"Here comes another one..." Zesther groaned while rubbing his temples. He really doesn't have the patience to deal with these people

"Grandpa, don't be angry. Be careful of your heart" Jarx said in worry as he approached the old man that was swinging his cane around

"Jarx, you must tell grandpa if that brat bullied you! I will poke his eyes with my cane!" The chairman said while pointing his cane at Zesther

"I am your grandson" Zesther grumbled as his grandfather once again showed how biased he is toward Jarx

"Then act like it! You are always buried with work, work, and work! We are living in the same house but I rarely see you! Besides, you don't even listen to me!"

A cousin that is stupid to commit a silly mistake that snowballed into a huge problem, an ex-husband who only knows how to charge ahead without a plan, and a grandfather that always assumes the worst of him

These people in Zesther's life are driving him crazy, his already hair-thin patience thinning out even further

"Grandpa, calm down, he didn't do anything to me" Jarx said as he is worried that Yves might suffer from a heart attack because of anger

"Jarx, I love you but no, I cannot believe you. That bastard, you are always taking his side and shielding him!"

"Grandpa, that is before. I am not the same anymore and I certainly wouldn't do that. If he were to try and bully me, I will buy you seven canes, one for each of his orifice. How does that sound, grandpa?" Jarx said in a joking manner yet the chairman's eyes lit up

"Good! Good! Do that! Never let anyone bully you, especially that bastard"

"Yes, grandpa, I won't. I'll kick him in the nuts before he can even do so!"

The chairman laughed loudly, his mood improving. His Jarx really is the best!

"I can hear the two of you from here" Zesther said, his head experiencing a throbbing pain

The old man and Jarx chuckled at each other. This scenario reminds them of their days a few years ago before Jarx coughed as he realizes what was happening

No, he shouldn't have acted so familiarly with Zesther as the both of them already cut off their relationship

The chairman seems to have noticed Jarx's change. He felt sad about that but he didn't dwell on it for too long

He might be an old man that greatly pampers Jarx but at the same time, he is still a Chairman of a giant conglomerate

His years of experience and wisdom are still there

"Zesther, I am ordering you and not asking you. Do what Jarx wants, deal with the negative effects of the leak of your marriage certificate" The chairman said in a business tone that would not take no for an answer

Clearly, he had eavesdropped earlier and he is aware of what the two talked about

"I will do that grandpa but the problem is on your favorite. He doesn't know what he wanted"

Zesther pushed all the blame into Jarx that felt embarrassed. Fortunately, a favorite is still a favorite and the chairman did not let him suffer

"If he doesn't know what he wants then make him realize it! You only gave him two options when we know that if you use your mind and means, you would have thought of a solution that Jarx would want!" The chairman rebuked with a displeased tone and Zesther sighed

"Grandpa, I am more than busy enough to spend my mental strength on this matter. I can deny the claim and make it look like someone edited the photo. If he doesn't want that then we can admit that we were married in the past but are separated now. It's not really a hard decision to make"

"I don't care how busy you are! Think of a solution or do you want me to personally think of one?"

At that, Zesther did not reject the offer

"Then grandpa, please do help and create a solution. If that is all, please go out now and let me work in peace"