Playing the Villainess, He Fell for Me

”Really, I’m not lying. I tried to text you and tell you so many times, but Boss Grant stopped me. He even grabbed my phone...” Joanna Kennedy’s voice grew aggrieved as she spoke.

However, Simon Lockwood’s expression remained impassive. After fastening his own seatbelt, he turned sideways to fasten Joanna Kennedy’s.

The man suddenly leaned closer. He carried the faint scent of tobacco, mixed with a familiar, clean fragrance. Joanna Kennedy instinctively wanted to hug him, but he pushed her hands away.

A very noble and aloof posture.

Joanna Kennedy: ”...”

’If I don’t coax him now, I’m dead meat when we get to the hotel.’ Joanna Kennedy couldn’t care about her pride anymore. She scooted closer, hugging the man’s arm and stammering, ”Please forgive me just this once, okay? I’ll never lie to you again...”

”Simon Lockwood... President Lockwood... Mr. Lockwood...” Seeing the man remained unmoved, Joanna Kennedy grit her teeth, her voice becoming even softer. ”Brother Lockwood...”

”...”

Feeling the man’s body suddenly stiffen, Joanna Kennedy’s eyes lit up, and she called out again, ”Brother Lockwood...”

”Forgive me, Brother Lockwood...”

The girl’s soft, warm body was pressed against his arm, her sweet, gentle voice calling him ”brother”...

It took Simon Lockwood a long moment to calm down. His flicker of anger vanished in an instant, but meeting the girl’s pleading gaze, he still feigned indifference. ”Don’t just call me whatever you want.”

”What did you do wrong?” Simon Lockwood asked.

’He’s still acting all noble and aloof, but at least he’s talking to me now.’ Joanna Kennedy immediately said, ”I was wrong about everything.”

”I shouldn’t have agreed to come here with Sean Grant, I shouldn’t have hidden it from you, and I especially shouldn’t have lied to you...” Joanna Kennedy clearly and honestly listed her mistakes.

She was more obedient than anyone when admitting her faults, but she would still make the same mistakes next time.

Simon Lockwood pinched the bridge of his nose. ”Sit properly.”

”Oh...” Joanna Kennedy reluctantly let go of his arm but didn’t forget to ask, ”You’re not angry anymore, are you?”

’I’ve made this mistake before; I have to make sure Simon Lockwood has really calmed down this time.’

The girl’s big, beautiful eyes were fixed on him pleadingly. She looked incredibly well-behaved, and even though it was an act, it was hard to resist. Simon Lockwood felt a headache coming on, his tone tinged with helplessness. ”I’m not angry anymore.”

Hearing this, Joanna Kennedy’s eyes lit up. She leaned back as if in relief. The black Bentley drove along at a steady pace.

Joanna Kennedy was quiet for only a moment before she started up again, asking nosily, ”Simon Lockwood, why doesn’t Special Assistant Warren want to see Sean Grant?”

”I’m not sure,” Simon Lockwood said.

Joanna Kennedy didn’t believe him. ”Come on, tell me. I won’t go spreading it around. Did Sean Grant do something to make him angry?”

Before Simon Lockwood could answer, Joanna Kennedy continued on her own, ”I think that’s very likely. Just now, Sean Grant was asking a young lady at the hotel for her WeChat. What a playboy! Who wouldn’t be angry at that? In this round, I’m siding with Special Assistant Warren!”

Seeing her indignant little expression, Simon Lockwood heaved a heavy sigh. ”Don’t say any of this in front of Jack Warren, understand?”

”Mhm, mhm, I know.”

’It’s not like I’m a big gossip.’

It was just starting to get dark, and the shops outside were turning on their lights. Joanna Kennedy thought of something. ”Oh, right, have you had dinner yet?”

’Simon Lockwood drove to the restaurant to pick me up right after he finished work. I’ve already eaten, but he definitely hasn’t.’

At this thought, Joanna Kennedy felt a little guilty again. Seeing a restaurant not far away outside the car window, she immediately said, ”Stop up ahead. You should eat first.”

The food options in a small town couldn’t compare to a big city; it was just the same few things over and over. ’It’s not good to eat anything too heavy at night,’ Joanna Kennedy thought. She ordered a bowl of shredded chicken noodles for Simon Lockwood, along with a bowl of pork stomach and chicken soup.

Seeing she had only ordered for one, Simon Lockwood furrowed his brow. ”Order another one.”

”I’m not eating. I’ve already eaten,” Joanna Kennedy said.

”When did you eat?”

While Joanna Kennedy was trying to recall the time, Simon Lockwood had already ordered another portion, his tone leaving no room for argument. ”You ate around 3 PM. That doesn’t count as dinner.”

Joanna Kennedy: ”...”

And so, Joanna Kennedy tearfully ate another whole bowl of pork stomach and chicken soup. It had goji berries and medicinal herbs in it, and after she finished, she felt warm all over.

”Simon Lockwood, I love you so much...” Full and satisfied, Joanna Kennedy was not at all stingy with her sweet words, with every other phrase being one of affection.

Simon Lockwood’s hand, holding his chopsticks, paused. The corners of his lips curled up involuntarily. Amidst the noisy chatter of the restaurant, he let out a soft ”Mhm.”

’Such an easy-to-please and easy-to-trick Joanie.’

It was only a little after 6 PM when they finished eating. The sky had already darkened, and the streetlights on the town roads lit up, complementing the glow from the shops. People getting off work and students on their weekend break were milling about the shopping center.

After walking for a bit, Joanna Kennedy’s stomach finally felt a little better and not so bloated. She swung the hand of the man beside her and asked in confusion, ”What did you bring me here for?”

’Simon Lockwood has that common male affliction of hating to go shopping, yet now he’s brought me to the biggest shopping center in this small town,’ Joanna Kennedy thought, then joked, ”Are you going to buy me something?”

She was only teasing him, but to her surprise, Simon Lockwood nodded seriously. ”Mhm.”

”Sean Grant probably isn’t going back tomorrow or the day after. My work isn’t finished yet, so I can’t drive you back.”

After speaking, Simon Lockwood frowned. ”Joanna Kennedy, when you travel, you have to remember to pack luggage and personal clothes. You can’t just run off with someone on a whim.”

Joanna Kennedy: ”...”

’Unbelievable. I never thought about this. I came here, but now I can’t go back.’

’That idiot Sean Grant. He really is a professional at getting people into trouble.’

’Good thing I don’t have any important gigs in the next couple of days, or I would never let that troublemaker Sean Grant off the hook.’

Joanna Kennedy said in frustration, ”It’s all Sean Grant’s fault. He never told me...”

’Luckily, I happened to bring my scarf-knitting supplies with me. I can probably finish it in the next couple of days while hiding from Simon Lockwood, and then I can...’

A gentle poke on her forehead brought Joanna Kennedy back to her senses. She said awkwardly, ”I know, I won’t run off with other people. I’ll only run off with you...”

Simon Lockwood: ”...” ’Was that what I meant?’

The third floor was where they sold clothes. Simon Lockwood led her to the elevator.

The clothing stores in the small town didn’t have any major brands. The styles were mostly generic online fashion or very conventional pieces. Joanna Kennedy picked out a dark gray trench coat and bought a few other warm items.

When it was time to buy undergarments, Joanna Kennedy quickly grabbed a couple of items. Simon Lockwood remained silent, but the tips of his ears were a little red. After a long moment, he finally spoke, his voice a bit tight, ”You have to wash them before you can wear them.”

”I know!” Joanna Kennedy’s face instantly turned red, and she snapped out of embarrassment and anger.

Simon Lockwood: ”...”

Back in the car, Joanna Kennedy’s awkwardness finally subsided. As they arrived at the hotel entrance, she suddenly remembered something. After a moment’s hesitation, she said, ”Simon Lockwood, this afternoon... I think I saw Charles Jennings.”