CEO Ex-Husband, Don't Bother Me

Chapter 198 - 161: Am I That Kind of Person in Your Eyes?

Small pavilions were built over each of the outdoor hot spring pools, so even if it was snowing, the snowflakes wouldn’t fall directly on the bathers. Instead, one could soak in the warm water and comfortably admire the snowy scenery outside.

They once again chose a more secluded spot. Naomi Shaw loved the quaint little pavilion and the pristine pool. Sensitive to the cold, she quickly unwrapped her bath towel and slid into the warm water, leaving only her fair shoulders and a small, makeup-free face exposed.

The pavilion they were in housed three hot spring pools. Theirs was quite large, but there were also two smaller ones, each meant for a single person. In one of the small pools opposite them, a woman without makeup was leaning back with her eyes closed, listening to music through her earphones. On a tray beside her sat a half-empty bottle of red wine, two cell phones, and car keys. Her expression was one of pure contentment and enjoyment. The woman looked somewhat familiar to Naomi Shaw, but she couldn’t quite place where she had seen her before.

Julian Donovan watched her playful antics with a smile, then slid into the pool after her. Just then, a server arrived with the wine Julian had ordered. He poured two glasses and handed one to her. She bit her lip, hesitating. "Maybe I shouldn’t..."

Her tolerance for alcohol was extremely limited. She still remembered what had happened in her study last time, when she’d downed a large glass of hard liquor in one go.

"A little bit to warm you up won’t hurt."

Julian moved closer with his wine glass, coaxing her. He knew perfectly well her tolerance was low, but he found her slightly tipsy, dazed look incredibly charming. And if she got really drunk and threw herself at him, stripping off her own clothes like she did in his study last time, he couldn’t ask for more.

"I’d better pass. You go ahead and drink!"

Naomi Shaw shook her head, her gaze flicking to the woman opposite them. The woman still had her eyes closed, savoring the moment. ’She has such refined taste,’ Naomi thought. ’Coming to a hot spring alone, listening to music, and drinking red wine.’

"Really not having any?"

Julian put his arm around her, satisfied. "How about another glass?"

Perhaps their conversation disturbed the woman, as she opened her eyes and looked over at them. Naomi finally got a clear look at the woman’s face and instantly remembered who she was: Felix Draper’s ex-wife, Sarah Sutton.

Sarah Sutton recognized them as well. She politely raised her wine glass and smiled at the pair. "President Donovan, Miss Shaw. What a coincidence."

Julian raised his wine glass in return. "President Sutton, enjoying some quiet time alone at the hot springs, I see."

Sarah Sutton smiled, tilted her head back to finish her wine, and said, "I’m all soaked out. I’ll get going now and leave you two to your romance."

With that, she rose from the water, wrapped the nearby towel around herself, gathered her things, and turned to leave. Watching her elegant figure recede into the distance, Julian couldn’t help but frown slightly. ’As his friend, should I tell Felix Draper about this right away? He’d probably drop everything and race over here.’

’But judging by Sarah’s actions, she must have anticipated I’d notify Felix, which is why she left so quickly. Even if I told him now, he’d arrive too late to find her.’

"Get lost staring at the pretty woman?"

Julian was very displeased to hear her say that, and his expression darkened. "Is that the kind of person you think I am?"

Naomi Shaw was completely taken aback that he’d get angry over such a simple remark. She blinked innocently. "Are you mad?"

He snorted and turned his back to her, ignoring her as he took out his phone to call Felix Draper. ’Given how much Felix helped me win Naomi back, I should tell him,’ he thought. ’Whether or not he manages to find Sarah, at least I’ll have done my part.’

"Hey, I just saw Sarah Sutton here at the hot springs."

He got straight to the point as soon as the call connected. He didn’t have time to waste with Felix; he needed to get back to his own romantic evening.

"Who was she with?"

That was Felix’s first question. This hot spring resort was famous as a destination for couples, so most of its patrons were pairs, though it wasn’t unheard of for singles to come.

"Some guy I don’t know."

Julian tossed that line at Felix and hung up, leaving his friend to fume on the other end.

"President Sutton was clearly by herself. Why did you lie to Felix?"

Naomi asked from behind him. He sulked, refusing to turn around, and leaned against the edge of the pool drinking moodily. "I’m not done with you about that comment from earlier!"

’Get lost staring at a pretty woman’? What did she think he was? Besides, if he were that kind of man, he wouldn’t have had to shamelessly beg her to come back and ask for her forgiveness.

Naomi was exasperated. She reached out to tug on his arm. "It was just one comment! Aren’t you being a bit petty...?"

"You’re insulting my character!"

he said angrily, his back still turned to her. Naomi was stunned. "Is it really that serious?"

’It was just one sentence. Did he have to take it so seriously?’

"It is!"

He replied with two harsh words.

Sensing he was genuinely angry, Naomi relented. She reached around from behind and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her soft body tightly against his back. "Don’t be mad anymore," she murmured. "I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry, alright?"

’Sigh, this man is like a child when he gets into a mood. Wasn’t I just making a joke?’

In reality, Julian’s anger had vanished the moment her soft body pressed against him. He hadn’t been truly angry to begin with, just using the chance to get her to take the initiative and get closer. Now, hearing her apology, he immediately turned and pulled her into his arms. He looked at her and declared solemnly, "I don’t want to hear you say anything like that ever again."

"I know!"

Eventually, he loosened his embrace. Naomi had to admit that soaking in the hot spring, resting her arms on the edge of the pool while watching the snow flurry outside, was incredibly relaxing—especially with such a dependable man by her side.

After returning from the outdoor hot spring, Sarah Sutton didn’t linger, heading straight to the showers to rinse off. Just as she had gotten cleaned up and settled into her car, her phone rang. She frowned at the incoming call, hesitating for a long moment before finally answering. "Hello, Mr. Draper."

’She knew Julian would tell him.’

"I hear you’re at the hot springs? And with another man?"

His furious voice came through the phone, and she had to hold it away from her ear for a moment. "I think someone was deliberately trying to wind you up," she answered calmly.

Felix Draper snorted. "There are so many hot spring resorts. Why did you have to choose the one we used to go to?"

"I’m more familiar with this one."

She knew what he was trying to probe. His relentless voice came through the phone, "Is it just because you’re familiar with it? Or were you trying to revisit an old place and reminisce about something?"

She gave a faint smile. "Milan Kundera said that remembering is not the opposite of forgetting, but a form of it. I did come back to revisit an old haunt, and I was trying to remember something. But only in order to forget."

"Sarah Sutton, are you trying to kill me with anger!"

"I need to drive now. If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up."

"The snow’s getting heavier. It’s dangerous for you to drive back alone. Can’t you just stay the night there and come back tomorrow?"

"It’s fine. I’ll just drive slowly."

"Then I’ll come get you!"

"That won’t be necessary. But thank you for the offer."

Without waiting for him to say another word, she calmly hung up and turned off her phone.

*Fire a shot through my heart, and let the blast reset everything to zero.*

By the time Julian and Naomi finished soaking in the hot spring and returned to their room, evening had fallen. The snow outside was coming down even harder, blanketing the world in silver. Heavy snow fell outside while the room remained as warm as spring. The contrast, combined with the intimacy of being alone together, created a uniquely romantic atmosphere.

"Didn’t you say you wanted to go to the gym?"

"But I’m exhausted..."

"That’s okay. We can sleep together after we’re done."