And honestly… my reputation isn’t that great either.”
I might not care about my reputation,
but other people did — especially men.
Jason’s amused laugh came through the phone.
“Perfect, then.
I’ve been called a playboy in the social scene for years — we’re a match made in heaven.”
I couldn’t help but laugh too.
He had been writing love notes to girls since he was thirteen.
By twenty, he was caught at nightclubs with two women in his arms.
By thirty, rumors swirled that he had a love child.
“Relax. Even if we marry, we can still just be buddies.
It’s a business arrangement — whatever you do after, I won’t interfere.
Purely value, no emotions.”
Maybe it was anger.
Or maybe I was just tired.
But I nodded and agreed.
“Lena,” Jason said, almost smug,
“now you have to admit I’m not useless.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Jason! So that’s what you were waiting for!
Fine, I apologize — I shouldn’t have called you a loser back then.
When you come back, whatever compensation you want, I’ll give it to you.”
He only smiled.
“All I want is your acknowledgment.”
I fell silent again.
“How do you want me to deal with her?” Jason asked.
“Should I hand her over to the police?
Make sure she can never return to the U.S.?”