[116]
Meanwhile, Leonel remained the same, unwilling to back down and insist on whatever he wanted. Not only that, but Leonel also seemed to be trying hard to get Chloe back, even though Chloe had no interest whatsoever.
After that, the woman in front of Leonel glanced at Darren, and suddenly an uncomfortable feeling surged within her because she hadn’t heard a word from Darren all this time. It wasn’t just her, but Darren also seemed annoyed by Leonel’s presence.
“Even though you’ve just met this man, I’ve known you for years, so you should at least trust me!” Leonel retorted again, but not long after that, the waiter arrived with the food that Leonel had ordered.
Meanwhile, Darren looked at him lazily; his face turned sour. A strange turmoil emerged something unusual that felt strange. Suddenly, Darren felt jealous when he saw Leonel doing all this just for Chloe.
He was genuinely jealous. He would do if punching Leonel here didn’t cause trouble and lead to many consequences. At least a punch or two to that shameless man’s face would feel satisfying in response to the uncomfortable turmoil he was experiencing.
“Then, do you think I can easily forget the pain you once inflicted?” Chloe retorted sharply with her curt tone. She didn’t want to back down against Leonel at this moment because his actions had already profoundly wounded her, and the pain couldn’t be healed until now.
“Thank you for providing Chloe and me with so much food like this. So we don’t need to order anymore, and we don’t need to pay either,” Darren interjected after staying silent for a while. Then he flashed a sarcastic smile toward Leonel.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
“Don’t get too happy! Do you think I ordered this food for you? I suppose you might be wrong. This food is only for Chloe!” Leonel replied with an indifferent attitude, knowing well that Darren was jealous of his behavior towards Chloe.
“Oh yeah? But I was the one who invited Chloe to come here and dine together, but thanks to your wonderful presence, I don’t have to bother paying for it!” Darren said firmly, then reached for his plate and other utensils, feeling unsatisfied after expressing his heartache towards Leonel.
“You two can eat; I have no interest in touching this food. I already said I can order for myself!” Chloe declared, frustrated. Afterward, she lifted one of her hands to assist the waiter, but Darren quickly intervened and lowered Chloe’s hand.
“No need to call the waiter again, Chloe! This man has already served us plenty of food, so we need to enjoy it,” Darren told Chloe. He intended to taunt Leonel because Chloe, his ex-wife, did not appreciate his presence.
Meanwhile, Chloe remained silent, glaring at Darren before shifting her gaze to Leonel.
“However long it takes, I don’t want to eat the food this man ordered. Let him finish it himself because I didn’t ask for any of it,” Chloe asserted, silencing Darren, who couldn’t say anything more.
Due to Chloe’s strong personality, anything she said couldn’t be easily disputed if it wasn’t her who approved it. She honestly couldn’t understand why Leonel and Darren suddenly created such an annoying situation.
“Can’t you be more assertive with your ex-husband so he doesn’t keep haunting us, Chloe?” Darren spoke, tracing his index finger in the air. His face and actions clearly showed his escalating anger.
Meanwhile, Chloe sighed in frustration.
“Did I hear you correctly when you said that to Chloe?” Leonel retorted at that moment.
“Of course, I didn’t make a mistake. I’m sure I directed those words to you, Mr. Leonel! I don’t think you’re on the same level as me. That’s why Chloe doesn’t want to choose you anymore,” Darren emphasized, engaging in a heated debate with Leonel. But Chloe could only remain silent, listening to their arguments, even though her mind was swirling and she wanted to unleash her emotions in front of both men.
“You should reflect on yourself! Chloe doesn’t want to get back to you. So why did you come back to try and take over and get Chloe’s attention when her heart belongs to someone else, not you anymore!” Darren expressed feeling frustrated with Leonel.
“Oh really? Did I hear it wrong? Chloe didn’t even say that to me. Are you jealous, Mr. Darren?” Leonel snapped at Darren, who fell silent, and his eyes rolled. He couldn’t possibly admit to it in front of everyone.
“You’re truly insane, acting however you want and saying whatever you please! No wonder Chloe doesn’t want to stay as your wife for long!” Darren replied in a mocking and curt tone.
Instantly, Leonel’s face turned crimson. The words spoken by Darren made him reach the peak of his anger and annoyance. Leonel might have punched that man’s face if this weren’t a public place.
“Watch your words, Doctor!” Leonel said, pointing his finger towards Darren, while Darren just held his hand to his chest, observing what Leonel was doing.
“Was I wrong to say that? Leaving you was the best decision Chloe made,” Darren said again, staring sharply at Leonel, whose jaw clenched.
“Stop this ridiculous argument! I don’t want to be the center of attention in a crowded place like this. If you want to argue, do it later when you’re alone! Not in front of me or front of so many people!” Chloe’s words silenced both of them, making them turn their gaze toward her.
“How could I back down for someone as crazy as you, Chloe? I’ve noticed you’ve been uncomfortable with his presence all along, so why don’t you just be honest?” Darren asked, throwing that question at Chloe.
“I don’t understand what you two are thinking. You better finish this food!” Chloe retorted, pushing the plate away.
“Can you appreciate my presence here? Could you eat, Chloe? I ordered this food because I would be happy if you enjoyed it. That’s all! I want to see you happier,” Leonel said to Chloe, who responded with a sour smile.
Leonel continued to press Chloe to acknowledge his presence, but Chloe didn’t want to do that. She wanted to enjoy her meal peacefully, but Leonel’s presence made her highly agitated.
“You have to tell him that I’m your ex-husband, Chloe! I know much more about you than he does, even though he just met you!” Leonel insisted, trying to assert his status to Chloe, while Darren looked at him lazily.
“Chloe?” Darren raised an eyebrow, looking at her.
“Enough of this! I want to eat without hearing your stupid arguments! I want peace without this debate!” Chloe intervened, fed up with her ex-husband’s behavior.
“Just eat this! I ordered it for you on purpose!” Leonel told Chloe, not caring if his actions resembled a child’s. He would appease himself if Chloe directed her gaze toward him.
“Are you still stubborn? How many more words does Chloe need to say to clarify that she doesn’t want to eat your order? Should I help Chloe refuse it?” Darren said, staring sharply at Leonel, who fell silent.
Leonel didn’t want to back down because, in his opinion, the old one would always come out on top when the new one appeared.
“You don’t need to interfere! I want Tis-”
“That’s enough! Stop it! I have to leave now!” Chloe interjected, abruptly cutting off Darren and Leonel’s conversation. Both men were making her head spin; all she wanted was peace and comfort. But instead, she got the opposite.
“Where are you going? I’m here! I want to accompany you for a meal, so why are you leaving?” Leonel asked while Darren held Chloe’s hand to prevent her from being left alone with that annoying man.
“I’d rather go home than witness your ridiculous argument! And you, I will never acknowledge your presence ever again!” Chloe asserted, pointing directly at Leonel’s face. Her eyes were red with anger, and her voice trembled.
“Never come back, Leonel. Never!”