Everyone was talking about how much love it must take to paint such an expensive car this way.

But I recognized at once, it was Jerome's car. On the back was written: [The Exclusive Car for the CEO's Gorgeous Secretary.]

I froze at the door, unsure of what to do. Jerome naturally took the umbrella from my hand and said, "The rain's heavy. Use the umbrella to get to the car. If you get sick, I'll have to donate blood again." Then he scooped up Jessica, who was still complaining about the weather.

To the cheers of the onlookers, Jerome gentlemanly opened the backseat door for Jessica, then climbed in himself. The crowd's cheering grew even louder as the pink Rolls-Royce rocked rhythmically, stopping only after a long while.

When Jerome got out, his tie was crooked. Yet, he held the umbrella high, letting himself get wet while keeping Jessica dry.

Once the umbrella was no longer needed, Jerome discarded it without hesitation, forgetting that I was still standing in the rain.

But it didn't matter. From the moment he took the umbrella, my heart had already been soaked by the rain. What difference did it make whether I had an umbrella?

The Rolls-Royce engine roared to life as I realized my ID card was still in the car. I hurriedly knocked on the window.

After a long while, Jerome reluctantly lowered it. A stifling odor of perfume and something foul hit me, making me gag. He said, "Tania, I told you to take a taxi home. Jessica and I have things to do at the office. We'll leave first."

"I …" before I could finish, the car sped away. Through the closing window, I caught a glimpse of Jessica's smug grin.

Hours passed. Unwilling to wait any longer, I decided to walk home in the rain.

Just as I braced myself to leave, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning around, I bumped into a warm chest. Looking up, I saw a tall figure in a white coat.

A young doctor, towering at least 1.9 meters, wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

"I'm heading the same way," His voice was deep and charming.

I didn't refuse but wondered, how did he know where I lived? I reasoned it away, convincing myself that I had been to the hospital often enough for him to recognize me.

When I got home, I barely had time to change out of my wet clothes before receiving a message from Jerome: [Tonight, Birmingham Academy, Room 521. Wait for me.]

After some hesitation, I opened my wardrobe and found the white fishtail dress Jerome had given me three years ago.

Birmingham Academy wasn't far, so I soon arrived. The server opened the car door and led me inside.

Even before entering the private room, I could hear the lively atmosphere. Their laughter filled the air until I appeared. The room suddenly fell silent, awkward even. Jerome froze for a few seconds, "Tania, why are you here?"

I looked around the room and realized everyone present was one of Jerome's closest friends. His expression told me instantly, the message was from Jessica.

At that moment, Jessica leaned tightly against Jerome, dressed in a striking red bodycon dress. Half-drunk and dazed, her seductive demeanor captivated everyone.

Sensing the tension, Jerome's friends quickly invited me to join their game. In the first round, Jerome lost.

Jessica leaned close and blew softly into his ear. I saw the redness creep up Jerome's neck. She asked, "Jerome, I heard you started dating Tania in high school. What does campus romance feel like? Answer me, no dodging!" With Jessica pressing him, my heart tightened in suspense.

"High school? That's too young. Students don't know what love is." Jerome's indifferent response obliterated my youth like it was nothing.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he raised his glass for another drink. I, however, had lost my appetite entirely. My fork slipped from my hand and fell under the table.

As I bent down to retrieve my fork, I caught sight of Jessica's delicate hand, adorned with the matching couple ring Jerome always wore. Her fingers wandered across Jerome's abdomen.

The others at the table feigned ignorance, but I noticed Jerome's sweaty palms and the flirtatious glances Jessica threw his way. In the next round, Jessica won.

"Let's do a drinking challenge, Tania. What do you think?" she suggested coyly. Everyone paused mid-drink and looked at me with amused curiosity. I was about to agree when Jessica changed her mind.

"Oh, wait. Tania's so innocent, you probably don't drink." She feigned an apologetic expression.

Relieved, I relaxed a little. But Jessica wasn't done.

"How about this? I'll drink the alcohol and Tania can replace hers with mango juice." The group clapped in admiration, praising Jessica for her beauty and kindness. Even Jerome chimed in.

"Tania, Jessica has gone out of her way to accommodate you. Don't embarrass me."

He knew about my mango allergy. In high school, when I had my first allergic reaction, he carried me on his back for 10 kilometers to the hospital.

I gently tugged on his arm to remind him, tears welling up, "Jerome, I'm allergic to mangoes."

He leaned back lazily, standing up to fill a glass of mango juice to the brim, "Well then, Tania, you need to start building a tolerance. If you drink more, maybe you won't be allergic anymore. You should practice."

I understood clearly, tonight, I had no choice but to drink. If that's what Jerome wanted, then so be it. I forced a smile, "Alright." I sighed.

If not for Jerome's rescue back in high school, I wouldn't be alive today. If this was how he wanted me to repay him, I'd gladly give him my life.

Seeing my agreement, Jerome swept the bottled mango juices off the table and ordered fresh mangoes instead, instructing the server to blend them into juice on the spot, an extravagance that cost thousands.

My chest tightened. Fresh mango juice? Jerome seemed bent on shortening my lifespan.

One glass after another, I swallowed the juice. My throat began to constrict, my skin flared with painful, itchy hives, but I pressed on, unfazed. Before everything went dark, I caught a glimpse of Jerome running towards me.

The next thing I knew, I was in the hospital. My allergic reaction, compounded by the anemia from my last blood transfusion, had brought me to the brink. I needed type KEN blood urgently.

As I clung to life, Jessica conveniently fell ill too, arriving at the same hospital, pale as a sheet, tears streaking down her face. Yet she still had the strength to think of me, "Jerome, go save Tania. I'm in so much pain, but I can hold on. Give all your blood to her."

Her selflessness only made Jerome more concerned for her. To prevent further refusals, he kissed her right there, a kiss that lasted for twenty full minutes.

During that time, nurses repeatedly urged him to donate blood for me, but Jerome remained absorbed in the kiss, oblivious to their pleas.

Jessica's voice trembled with feigned guilt as tears welled in her eyes, "I'm just afraid Tania might be upset."

Jerome erupted like a furious lion, "Why are you worrying about someone else when you're like this?"

The nurses kept coming back, but Jerome lost his temper altogether during their last attempt, "She's not dying! Why is everyone acting so dramatic? Give her some glucose, she can last three days."

Jerome sent the nurse back to me with a message: [Apologize to Jessica and I'll give you my blood.]

I lay there, pale and confused. What did I have to apologize for? My question was answered when I saw Jessica's newest post online: [Thank you, Jerome, for saving me. Otherwise, Tania would've kept forcing drinks on me …]

Within seconds, Jerome's reply appeared: [Petty, jealous women need to be put in their place!]

On the first day after my hospitalization, both Jerome and Jessica shared posts about their romantic escapades at themed hotels across the city.

The next day, Jerome called me and asked me if I hadn't thought of the words to apologize after a day. He said I was as stupid as a pig and kindly reminded me that if I couldn't figure it out, I could check it online.

Late one night on the third day, Jerome couldn't help but come looking for me, only to discover my hospital bed empty.

The hospital explained that my boyfriend had picked me up after discharge.