Love after the StormChapter 3: A Heated Argument

I frowned, walked to the door, and looked through the peephole.

When I saw who it was, I froze.

Standing outside was James.

The rain had already turned into a torrential downpour. His hair was completely soaked, and several wet strands plastered against his forehead. He looked utterly bedraggled.

I did not expect him to know that I was here.

The moment I opened the door a crack, James pushed his way inside, bringing the cold rain and his anger with him.

"Maria, you really got some nerve to hide out here of all places!"

The moment he stepped inside, he wrapped me tightly in his arms. His eyes were red, and his chest rose and fell heavily.

"Why didn't you call me when you arrived? You didn't even send me a single message. What exactly are you throwing a tantrum over?"

Looking at how self-righteous he was, I found the whole thing absurd and asked in a voice that was so calm that even I was surprised. "What's the point?"

"What do you mean by that?" James instantly flared up. Then he raised his voice. "You're my girlfriend! There's a hurricane raging outside. Do you know I almost got into a car accident while trying to avoid tree branches blown down by the wind just to get here? I've gone through all that, yet you don't even care. How can you be so cold-hearted?"

Watching him accuse me with such confidence, I cut him off without mercy. "Isn't someone who is staying at your place enough? You even changed the bedsheets to pink for her. In that case, I figured that you didn't need my concern for you anymore."

In that split second, James froze, and the accusations on the tip of his tongue died instantly.

"Did you know it all along?" He stared at me in shock.

After a brief moment of stiffness, he let out a sigh of relief as if a huge weight had suddenly been lifted off his shoulders.

"I knew it. You're hiding here and ignoring me because you wanted me to come and coax you. You're jealous again, aren't you?"

Then, the anger on his face was replaced with a helpless yet doting smile. He even reached out to ruffle my hair as he said, "Who's my little jealous baby this time? Maria, you're way too possessive of me."

I turned my head and avoided his hand, but he did not seem bothered. Instead, he sighed and said, "Serene's apartment is too old. It leaks whenever there's a hurricane, so she simply can't stay there. I couldn't possibly leave her stranded on the streets, could I?

"Plus, I didn't let you move in on schedule because I was thinking about you too. Think about it. If you'd moved in while Serene was staying there, she'd definitely feel uncomfortable. She's single, so watching the two of us being lovey-dovey every day would just make her feel miserable."

As he spoke, he stepped closer, lowered his head, and gently kissed my forehead.

"Alright, stop being upset," he said softly. "Once the hurricane passes, I'll tell her to move out. Then, we'll reconsider the moving-in arrangement. Be good now."

'Reconsider?' I stood there motionless. It felt as though my blood had run cold, and an icy chill seeped from deep within my bones.

He pitied Serene because her apartment leaked during the hurricane and was worried she'd have nowhere to go. He was afraid she'd feel lonely watching us act like a couple, but what about me?

Had it ever crossed his mind that I had quit my job, given up my apartment, and traveled hundreds of kilometers to this city with all my belongings? If I had not checked into a hotel, I would not have had anywhere to stay at all.

Just as I was about to speak, a sudden ringtone shattered the silence.

"James, answer the phone! James, hurry and answer the phone!"

Even James looked stunned. He fumbled to pull his phone out of his pocket.

On the screen flashed Serene's name.

Seeing the personalized caller ID and ringtone, James blinked in surprise before muttering under his breath, "This girl is fooling around again. I don't even know when she got hold of my phone and changed the ringtone."

Though his words sounded like a complaint, his tone was gentle. Then, he walked toward the hallway window as he answered the phone.

"Serene, what's wrong?"

A pause.

"There's thunder? Don't be scared, I'll be right back."

Before he had even finished speaking, James hurried toward the elevator. He was in such a rush that he did not even spare me a goodbye.

His hurried footsteps gradually faded into the distance. Then, the hallway fell silent once more.