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6. Love is An Addiction

Close.

Irene came to the cafe not to open it. She just wanted to meditate there. That made Jeff, who had been waiting, panic. Moreover, the line seemed to be snaking. Isn't this a good opportunity to make money?

"Irene!" exclaimed Jeff as he approached the woman, who was smoking in the small garden to the side. "What are you waiting for? It's already opening time!"

Irene blew the cigarette smoke into the air. She didn't respond, just stared at the empty air.

"Sssh!" complained Jeff, twisting her shoulders. "What's wrong with you?! There's already a line out there. Not just for coffee, but for tarot readings."

"I don't feel like it."

"What?!" Jeff's brow furrowed. "What are you doing? I know it's your business, but you can't do that. You'll lose trust."

"I don't want to know. You have to open it in five minutes. I'll tell them."

"Can you understand my feelings?" Irene shouted. She looked stunning in a black-and-red above-the-knee balloon-sleeved dress.

Jeff turned around. He girded his loins. "What do you mean?"

"Ugh." Irene chuckled and took another drag on her cigarette. "I think everyone needs psychometrics. So, there's no need to talk too much."

"Oi, Irene!" Jeff approached. "This is what I've been complaining about you for a long time."

"What?"

"You're not professional. You should be able to distinguish between your work and your personal life!"

Irene's jaw hardened. She stubbed out the cigarette on the ashtray, then gave the man a sharp look. "What did you say? What do you think my work is? My work comes from half of my life and feelings."

"You think psychometry will work itself out?" Irene hissed. "No! Psychometry can't work properly if my mood and health deteriorate. I can't read my touch!" Irene squealed.

Jeff closed his eyes and held back his fear. Err, more like he was worried about Irene causing a riot.

"Alright. I don't have psychometry and can't read your heart either." Jeff pulled up a chair. "Tell me!"

"I just want to close. At least today. After all, we already have plenty of money for one day of reconnaissance and three days of preparation to find information regarding Alex Matthew."

Jeff chuckled. "I've been trying to listen to you and you're just talking about this?"

"Okay. Tell me we're getting paid. And then what? There are more customers than usual today. Some have already made reservations, Irene." Jeff held back his irritation. "You got dumped by Danni?"

Irene's tears seemed to have become an answer that made Jeff laugh.

"Hey! A crazy woman like you is defeated by a soft-hearted man like Cotton?"

Irene wiped away the tears roughly. "Danni was never rude to me. He accepted my madness. When he got angry for the first time, I was tormented."

"I almost thought you wanted to continue having sex with Alex."

"Are you crazy?!" snapped Irene. "I wasn't satisfied with it. But I had no appetite." She cried. "Where did my gentle Danni go?"

Jeff rubbed his face. He was already too frustrated with his coworker, who was always unpredictable. The crazy woman became even more so when scolded by her husband.

Jeff tried to be patient, rubbing Irene's back. "Why do you have to go crazy? If I were Danni, I would have divorced you long ago."

"Argh!"

Jeff whimpered as Irene kicked him. She was crazy.

"I mean..." Jeff was enduring the pain. "What Danni did was out of concern for you. "

"Why?" The man asked a rhetorical question. "Alex Matthew is very dangerous. She doesn't want you involved."

"But he shouldn't have scolded me."

Jeff massaged his throbbing forehead. Then smiled unwillingly at the woman. "Come on, Irene. Your husband won't be mad at you after this."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Then you should open a cafe."

"Just open it, let them drink coffee."

Jeff widened his eyes. "They also accept tarot readings, right?"

"I'm not in the mood. It's useless for you to force me. I won't be able to do it properly if they ask to investigate something."

"Don't be selfish, Irene!" snapped Jeff, startling Irene. "You can probably do a lot of things. But what about me? Do you want me to be poor? I need money! That's why I'm working with you, Irene!"

Irene leaned closer, looked up at him, and rubbed his cheek gently. It caused a crazy sensation. Although Irene was annoying, she was tempting.

"I've been a little more fair, Jeff."

"What? Where?"

"I've let you open the cafe, but in exchange, the service is closed. You'll still get some income from it. I know it's not much." Irene circled the man, whispering at his side. "But at least it won't kill you, right? You still have an income and can eat."

"And what about me?" Irene continued. "I could die because my energy has been absorbed doing psychometry."

For a moment Jeff stared intently at Irene's figure. Then he firmly assured her, "No! You won't die."

Alex looked dashing in a suit from a luxury brand. He was accompanied by several men and beside him was Chou as secretary. They left the meeting room.

"He's already in my room?" asked Alex as he continued walking down the elegant hallway with every side covered in golden brown.

"Yes. It's been half an hour." Chou opened the door to his boss's room while bowing politely.

Alex found a woman drinking wine in the afternoon. She seemed very relaxed and enjoying her time.

"What's good about drinking wine in the afternoon?" Alex asked and sat down opposite her.

"Oh my gosh! My nephew always looks shining."

"Sorry for keeping you waiting, Auntie."

"Uhmm... Aunt Sarah shook her head. No problem. I only came here to see your face in person after Celine's demise."

Alex frowned.

"It's just that I wanted you to get away from her a long time ago and seeing you looking strong, I'm very grateful."

"Do I look strong?"

"Yes. I know all too well how crazy you were about Celine. So, I have a chance to introduce you to the competent women out there."

Alex, who had been ignoring his aunt, was suddenly taken aback. One eyebrow raised. After all, Celine's image still sneaked in every so often.

Alex laughed awkwardly. "Auntie's drunk?"

"No, I'm not. You think I'm that weak with just a sip of this wine?"

"You don't have to bother doing that. I can handle it myself."

"I know. But at least you can meet her for a blind date." Auntie winked.

"I'm busy."

Auntie laughed. "The proof is that you've been able to find time to make love with Celine."

Alex honestly wanted to be angry, but he held back from the woman who had raised him. Alex really doesn't like it when someone keeps linking Celine to his big move on.

"Okay. But you know what, don't bring any woman to me," Alex warned.

"I got your point."

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