Chapter 5: Water Games and Heart Races

Got excited for nothing.

Later, I tried asking Mason out a few times. Don’t know if he was really busy or just avoiding me—he always said he had no time, had urgent training. He’s already a captain, what training? If you don’t want to talk, just say so!

I’d been busy too—designer’s cocktail party coming up, no time to focus on him.

Everyone would dress up in their own designs or jewelry. But at this industry party, I actually saw Mason in a suit, surrounded by people. He was especially eye-catching. His suit was even more refined than at the blind date, and that brooch—it didn’t look like something he could afford. Priceless.

“Didn’t expect Master J to be so handsome! Ahhh! If he’d shown his face before, his jewelry would be even more popular!”

“His body’s amazing! I want to touch Master J’s chest!”

Master J?

Isn’t that my senior?

When did he become Mason?

And today, he was so elegant, handling people with ease. He even had a bit of a playboy vibe.

When our eyes met, he was stunned for a second, then pretended not to see me and kept socializing.

I deliberately walked over with my wine glass. “Well, isn’t this…”

Mason’s eyes flashed with panic, but he quickly calmed down. “Miss Reed, I’ve heard so much about you, I’m…”

I raised an eyebrow and cut him off. “Senior, pretending not to know me? Still holding a grudge?”

People around whispered, “So it’s true J and Mariah Reed don’t get along—they really are senior and junior.”

Mason was stunned, then smiled awkwardly in relief. I helped him cover.

Later, in a quiet corner, I used checking his brooch as an excuse to poke his solid chest. He didn’t notice.

“Senior, your act’s slipping, you even forgot me.”

Mason looked serious. “Your name wasn’t on the guest list, and I heard you weren’t coming.”

I nodded—only decided last minute. It’s his fault for not accepting my invitation!

I’m not really a wild child—besides flirting, I have to focus on my career. I asked why he was there; he said he couldn’t say, but I guessed he was undercover.

TV drama meets real life. Exciting!

I joked, “I always thought undercover cops sold hot dogs at street fairs.”

Mason gave a helpless smile. “I’d rather make hot dogs—easier than schmoozing.”

So the training was real!

I was curious. “What did you train?”

Don’t know what he thought of, but his eyes went awkward, not daring to look at me. A faint blush rose in his cheeks. Even his voice got shy and soft.

“After training, I got better at sweet-talking…”

Boom!

It was like a volcano erupted in my head. Suddenly I remembered the message Tyler sent: ‘Babe likes sweet talkers, you’re not sweet, she’ll get bored of you soon.’

All the blood in my body heated up. If it weren’t for all the designers watching, I’d want to pounce and whisper in his ear,

“Let me see if you’re sweet, so you can’t lie.”

Of course, even if no one was around, I wouldn’t dare. Would that count as assaulting an officer…

That line seemed to take all of Mason’s courage. He didn’t look at me again. Suddenly, he frowned and awkwardly touched his ear, saying, “Not your brother-in-law yet!”

I think that’s what he said—I didn’t hear clearly. Only then did I notice he seemed to be wearing an earpiece, probably in contact with his team.

Mason didn’t have time to stay with me. “I still have work. Thanks for earlier. I’ll treat you to dinner when it’s done.”

Oh wow, couldn’t get him to go out before, now he says he’ll treat me. I’m suddenly grateful for that disagreeable Master J. He’s my living matchmaker now!

Dinner date came quickly—just three days after the cocktail party. When the party was ending, I saw him lead four people to arrest three men and a woman. He left with such presence, my heart pounded. The designer next to me said, “Isn’t he J? He’s a cop? Damn! I like him even more!”

I felt a twinge of jealousy. Muttered a little “tsk” and went back to drinking. Possessiveness roared in my head: “He’s mine! Sooner or later!”

Mason messaged me, sending a sticker of a kitten saying “thank you.” Tsk, he knows how to use stickers now. Definitely sweeter.

He asked me to dinner, so I put on my killer makeup and picked the most romantic restaurant. Maybe it was just me, but during dinner I always felt someone was watching our table. Unlike last time, when girls stared at Mason, this time it felt like someone was watching me.

Mason’s expression was weird too. When I looked up, sometimes he was frowning, sometimes he seemed angry. I asked what was wrong, he just said, “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”

Maybe it’s a woman’s sixth sense, but I felt two people deliberately followed Mason to the restroom. Worried there were bad guys, I sneaked after them.

I saw a couple outside the restroom’s emergency exit, seemingly scolding Mason.

“Take it!”

I couldn’t see what they wanted him to take.

But Mason refused, looking embarrassed. “Mom, I don’t need it yet.”

Mom?

They’re Mason’s parents?

Mason’s mom: “Just take it. Behave yourself and you’ll need it!”

“Mom, really, no need!”

Mason tried to block, but the thing fell to the ground with a slap.

Oh my god! My face was burning. Turns out it’s a must-have for happiness. And—size XL.

Mason hurriedly stuffed it in his pocket. His mom saw him take it, satisfied, and led his dad away.

I shrank back, afraid of being seen.

Just as I was about to go back, Mason’s voice came from behind. “Come out, I saw you already.”

No wonder he’s a cop—so sharp.

I awkwardly came out. My eyes instinctively glanced at his bulging pocket with the box outline. He followed my gaze, looked down at his pocket, coughed twice, turned away, face flushed and glowing.

Help! His expression was super cute. Makes me want to… cough cough… Forget it, I don’t dare assault a cop.

Bad news: social death again. Good news: this time it wasn’t me.

Mason and I didn’t mention what just happened and went back to eating. But his pocket was too shallow—when he sat down, the box fell to the ground again.

Just then a guy walked by with his girlfriend. The guy said, “Hey bro, your protection dropped.”

At that moment, the dignified Captain Mason looked like a quail. I thought he wanted to crawl into a hole.

“How about… using it?” I muttered, then regretted it.

“What?” He didn’t hear.

I shook my head, heart pounding. Glad he didn’t hear—just pretend I said nothing.

I could tell—Mason is shy about love. He probably wants to take it slow, build feelings first. I respect that.

My girlfriends say I’ve changed. Not looking for fun anymore, actually developing feelings instead of just lust.

Later, my mom asked about us too. I smiled without saying anything. She understood and exclaimed, “Good things are coming for the Reed family!”