Chapter 368: Extra - Boundless Romance

The August heat in Jornheim was deadly. One trip outside and you’d feel like you were being baked into a crisp. As soon as Joanna Kennedy got home, she frantically guzzled water. Only after downing nearly half a bottle did she feel alive again.

“Oh my god… this weather is going to be the death of me…” Joanna lamented, completely defeated.

Simon Lockwood took the half-empty bottle from her hand and set it on the table. He frowned at her words. “Don’t say things like that.”

“I’m not! Next you’ll be telling me you didn’t just sneak a bite of my ice cream.”

Simon Lockwood: “…”

Simon Lockwood had no intention of getting into a debate over the definition of “sneaking a bite.” He finished the rest of the water, and as he stood up to go cook in the kitchen, someone suddenly clung to his back.

“Simon, let’s go out and have some fun!” Joanna, no longer minding the heat, clung to Simon Lockwood like a kangaroo, her eyes sparkling. “I heard there’s a really cool resort in the mountains of the Jornheim Suburbs. Why don’t we spend our summer break there?”

The Jornheim Suburbs Resort was a recreational area that had opened in the last couple of years. It was known for its privacy and vast array of entertainment facilities. Joanna had only heard about it from other actors on set.

More than ten days had passed since she returned from filming down south. Simon was finally on summer break, and Joanna didn’t want to waste all their time cooped up at home. She wanted to get out more with him, cultivate their relationship, see nature, breathe some fresh… alright, fine!

Joanna admitted it: she just didn’t want to be stuck at home with Simon. The main reason… this guy’s energy was just too much. Joanna honestly couldn’t take it!

“So, are we going or not? Are we?” Joanna playfully tightened her arms around the man’s neck in a rather forceful attempt at coaxing. “Are we going? Are we? Are we…”

Simon managed a difficult nod. Joanna pressed her advantage. “Use your words!”

“…We’ll go,” Simon said.

Satisfied, Joanna planted a loud SMACK on his cheek and cooed sweetly, “Simon’s the best~~”

When she was happy, it was “Simon’s the best.” When she was in a huff, it was “Simon stole my food.” Simon had long since come to terms with this, and he replied, unfazed, “Mm.”

Joanna was a whirlwind of motion. Once she decided she wanted to go, she couldn’t wait another second. And she wasn’t one to enjoy things alone, so she made sure to bring her assistant and Mindy along.

The atmosphere inside the black Maybach was strangely tense. Only Joanna chattered on endlessly, with Simon, who was driving, occasionally murmuring a response. The two in the back seat didn’t dare to even breathe too loudly.

“Mindy, Tina, the resort has suites and single rooms. A suite would actually be great for the four of us. We could all look out for each other,” Joanna said, turning to get a consensus from the two in the back.

Mindy Morgan was just about to agree when she happened to glance at the rearview mirror and met a pair of cold, pitch-black eyes. A chill ran down her spine and she broke out in a cold sweat. Shivering as if she’d seen a ghost, she immediately waved her hands. “No, no, no, don’t book a suite!”

“Tina and I will be fine in single rooms!”

“Yes, yes! Mindy and I both prefer single rooms!” Tina quickly added, so nervous she was practically glued to Mindy’s side. Her expression was strangely adamant, as if determined to distance herself from the very concept of a suite.

Joanna wasn’t ready to give up. “But the resort is huge. If the single rooms are too far apart, we won’t be able to hang out together.”

“It’s fine. I like to do my own thing,” Mindy said with a straight face, nudging Tina beside her.

Tina: “Oh, right, me too! I love doing my own thing!”

Joanna: “……”

Joanna didn’t press them any further. “Fine, then.”

Joanna turned back around, and the oppressive gaze in the rearview mirror vanished. Mindy quietly sighed in relief. She snuck a glance at the man in the driver’s seat and sighed again, silently lighting a candle for Joanna in her heart.

‘With that level of cunning and possessiveness, he could absolutely destroy someone like Joanna.’

An hour later, they arrived at the Jornheim Suburbs Resort. A concierge was already waiting at the entrance to guide them inside.

“Miss Kennedy, Mr. Lockwood, and ladies, this way please. We’ve arranged a lavish dinner for you, which will be delivered directly to your rooms shortly.”

“There’s a bonfire party this evening, which our distinguished guests are welcome to attend. We’ll leave you to get settled now.” After his introduction, the guide tactfully stepped aside, handing them off to the next staff member.

A staff member escorted them all the way to their room before leaving, providing them with a contact number in case they needed anything.

“Wow… it’s really not hot at all…” Joanna said, pleasantly surprised.

The room was huge, almost a small single-level suite. It had an open-plan kitchen, a living room, and a massive floor-to-ceiling window in the bedroom. Sheer white and green lace curtains billowed in the breeze, carrying the faint, fresh scent of the plants outside.

“You like it?” Simon asked, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

Joanna nodded vigorously. She pressed herself against the window, her sparkling eyes gazing outside, looking utterly fascinated by everything.

Seeing her so happy made Simon smile too. His features softened as he watched her, and he leaned down to pepper her with light, lingering kisses.

After dinner, the two of them went to the bonfire party and unexpectedly ran into an acquaintance. Howard Thorne, dressed in an exceptionally flashy outfit, was talking to Mindy. The moment he caught sight of Joanna, his eyes lit up. But then he saw Simon, and the light instantly vanished, replaced by a sour scowl.

“What are you doing here?” Joanna asked, confused.

Howard snapped, “What, you’re allowed to be here but I’m not? You own the place?”

He was so aggressive, it was like he’d eaten dynamite. Joanna didn’t want to argue. “Of course you can. Have fun.”

“Tch.” Howard was not about to be gracious.

Joanna’s famous short fuse immediately ignited. She took a step forward, ready to argue, but a firm hand grasped hers. A comforting squeeze on her fingers made her, surprisingly, calm down. She just shot a “Tch” back at Howard.

She wasn’t going to waste her time on an idiot. Joanna pulled Simon away to another part of the party.

Howard stood there for a long moment, only snapping out of it when someone called his name. He pressed his lips together, hiding the disappointment in his eyes.

Joanna pulled Simon all the way up a hillside, away from the noise of the crowd. The gentle breeze felt wonderful against their skin.

Joanna flopped down onto the grassy slope without a care, and Simon sat beside her. They gazed up at the star-filled sky, moonlight illuminating their faces. Joanna smiled and nudged Simon. “Look, see how bright that star is?”

A few large stars twinkled on the horizon, standing out brilliantly against the others. But Simon wasn’t looking at them. His gaze was fixed on the eyes of the person beside him. “Bright,” he said.

“I heard this is a fantastic, little-known spot for stargazing. You should thank me for showing you such a beautiful view,” Joanna said, feeling pleased with herself.

Simon chuckled softly. “Thank you.”

Joanna nodded, satisfied. Growing tired of sitting up, she rested her head on his shoulder. Simon shifted, making it more comfortable for her to lean against him.

With the vast, starry sky and crescent moon before them, and a field of green grass rustling in the breeze behind them, Joanna couldn’t resist wrapping her arms around his waist. “Simon, let’s come back again this time next year.”