Chapter 661

Juniper sped over to Anthony's place like a bat outta hell.

She jabbed the doorbell. Even though it was freezing outside, she was sweating bullets, and her stomach felt like it was on fire.

"Anthony?" She pounded on the door.

The door creaked open, and there was Anthony, holding it with one hand.

"You finally opened up. I was freaking out," Juniper blurted.

Anthony's brow furrowed at her flushed face. "What are you doing here?"

"I was just in the neighborhood."

In the neighborhood?

"Didn't he take you home?" Anthony asked.

"I..." Was he jealous?

Juniper didn't dare to hope.

"Ronnie and I aren't what you think," she explained.

"If you came to explain, don't bother. Whatever you two have going on is none of my business," Anthony said, starting to close the door.

"Hold up." Juniper quickly blocked the door. "Why are you being so cold?"

Anthony's expression was icier than when they met in the hallway earlier, so cold it made her shiver.

"Ms. Cooper, you're my secretary. It's not cool for a subordinate to show up at my place at night," Anthony said coldly.

'Is he pretending he doesn't know me?' Juniper thought.

Juniper pouted. "Didn't you bring me home a few days ago and let me crash?"

"That was a one-time thing due to special circumstances. Obviously, I don't need to worry about that anymore," Anthony replied.

So, he misunderstood her and Ronnie.

Juniper felt a bit frustrated. "You've got it all wrong. Ronnie's just a nutjob who won't leave me alone. Do you think I enjoy being pestered by him?"

If it weren't for their cozy behavior at the restaurant, Anthony might've believed it was just Ronnie bugging her.

Anthony thought, 'They act like a couple, and she doesn't seem to mind Ronnie. Is this so-called dislike just flirting? If so, why come to my door late at night to explain? Or maybe she treats relationships casually, juggling two guys at once? Didn't she cling to me to be her boyfriend without knowing me well?'

If that was the case, Anthony felt disheartened, thinking he had trusted the wrong person.

"Actually, the one I like is..." Juniper started.

"Anthony, who's at the door?" a gentle voice interrupted.

Juniper froze, her face draining of color.

She looked at Anthony in shock.

She didn't expect him to bring his classmate home.

Taking her to a restaurant was one thing, but bringing her home? That was a whole different ball game.

Her heart sank.

Juniper suddenly felt like showing up here was a huge mistake.

"Sorry to bother you." Without looking back, Juniper turned and bolted.

"Juniper..." Anthony took a step forward but then clenched his hand into a fist.

'She misunderstood. So, she'll give up on me now. I had Hera pretend to be my girlfriend to get rid of her, but she didn't buy it. Now she does, but why do I feel anxious? Juniper... Misunderstanding or not, we were never meant to be. Ending this now is for the best,' Anthony thought.

He knew this, but his heart felt uneasy.

He closed the door.

"Who was it?" Hera asked, even though she already knew. She just wanted to make a scene.

She wasn't a bad person, really. She just thought she was helping Anthony dodge a bullet. That woman was playing two guys, and Anthony was too soft-hearted. Hera was just trying to save him from future heartbreak.

"No one important. You feeling any better?" Anthony asked.

"Still a bit short of breath," Hera said, playing it up.

She had a heart condition that flared up on the road, so Anthony brought her back to rest. She was actually fine now but wanted to stick around a bit longer.

"Can I stay here tonight?" Hera asked, sounding all weak.

"The driver will be here soon," Anthony said, shutting her down.

"But what if something happens to me alone in the hotel at night? Heart conditions can be serious, and a sudden attack with no one around is scary," Hera pushed.

"I'll take you to the hospital. It's safer with doctors around," Anthony replied.

"No need. I have my meds. As long as someone is nearby, I'll be fine. You don't have to stay with me all the time. If I feel unwell, I'll call you," Hera insisted.

"Sorry, I'm not used to women staying over," Anthony said.

"But didn't we stay together in college?" Hera countered.

"That was a group of friends in a villa, not the same thing," Anthony shot back.

"We're adults now, and we've known each other for years. I don't mind, so why do you? My parents are abroad. I hate staying in hotels alone; it scares me," Hera pleaded.

"I can arrange another place and a servant for you," Anthony said, his mind still on Juniper's disappointed eyes.

"You just don't want me to stay, right? But Ms. Cooper stayed here, didn't she?" Hera pulled out a hair tie left by Juniper.

Anthony went silent.

"You've only known her for a short time. Why can she stay, but I can't? Even if it's just friendship, don't our years of relationship count for anything?" Hera pressed.

"The car is here. I'll take you down," Anthony interrupted.

Hera felt crushed but didn't want to push him away further.

A faint, sarcastic smile crossed her lips. "I thought you valued our friendship, but I guess not."

"That's not what I mean. You're a very important friend, and I appreciate everything you've done for Nora," Anthony tried to explain.

"A friend, sure. But to me, I'm doing it for the man I love. Before, you had Angel in your heart. She saved your life, and I was too late. I told myself I lost to time and could wait. But Ms. Cooper came after us. Why can she come between us?" Hera asked.

"Feelings don't follow a first-come, first-served rule, and I don't plan to start anything with Juniper. There's still someone else in my heart. I can't start a relationship now. It wouldn't be fair," Anthony said.

"Those rules are just excuses for people you don't like. When you really like someone, nothing can stop you. Anthony, from the moment I decided to break the 'just friends' barrier and confess to you, I didn't plan to give up easily. Unless you're with another woman, I'll keep pursuing you," Hera said with a light smile. "I'll head back to the hotel now. You get some rest."

Anthony's mind was a mess, not knowing what he truly wanted.