Playing the Villainess, He Fell for Me

Joanna: "..."

"Isn’t that the photographer from yesterday?" Julie whispered to Walter Young.

Seeing the man about to walk over, Walter Young narrowed his eyes. He stepped in front of Joanna, forcing a smile. "Mr. Thorne, what brings you here? Is there something from the magazine you need to discuss?"

Faced with Walter Young’s smooth, discreet attempt to block him, Thomas Warren’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. He slowly took off his sunglasses, twirling them idly with one finger. "Nope. I’m here to see Joanna about a personal matter. What’s the problem? Is it inconvenient, or am I just not allowed?"

Thomas Warren’s tone was flippant, and his broad smile made him seem cheerful and easygoing. Walter Young couldn’t quite read his intentions, but he knew he couldn’t afford to offend him. He could only reply politely, "Of course not, it’s just..."

Walter Young explained apologetically, "Joanna has a flight to catch. I’m very sorry."

"No problem." Thomas Warren raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting past Walter Young to land directly on Joanna. "Miss Kennedy, care to chat for a minute?"

Thomas Warren was half a head taller than Walter Young, grinning with a face that just begged to be punched. Joanna glanced at the time and frowned. "About what?"

"Too many... non-essential personnel around," Thomas Warren said without batting an eye. "I’m too embarrassed to say it out loud."

Joanna: "..."

’Thomas Warren was erratic and incredibly persistent. This is just going to waste more time if it drags on,’ Joanna thought. She quickly whispered an explanation to Walter Young.

"Joanna, be quick. Don’t miss your flight," Walter Young reminded her as he stepped aside.

Joanna nodded, then turned to Thomas Warren, her impatience flaring. "There’s a coffee shop right there. I’ll give you ten minutes."

Without waiting for a reply, Joanna turned and headed for the coffee shop.

Thomas Warren just smiled and followed her, perfectly calm and composed.

They got to the coffee shop, and before she even fully sat down, Joanna slapped her phone onto the table. The screen was already lit up with a timer, counting down from ten minutes.

Thomas Warren: "...I thought you were kidding..."

"Does it look like I’m joking?" Joanna snapped. "I’m in a huge hurry. Either say what you have to say, or I’m walking out."

"Hey, hold on..." Thomas Warren reached for her, but she dodged his hand. He smoothly pulled it back, his casual demeanor unbroken. "Let’s order some coffee first. What are you having?"

Joanna: "..."

One minute had already passed on her phone’s screen. Nine minutes left.

As if sensing her exasperation, Thomas Warren said in a mock-serious tone, "They’re really fast here. Have a little faith in them."

"Besides, just sitting in their shop without buying anything is just plain rude. I’m a sensitive soul; I can’t handle the shame," Thomas Warren added.

Joanna felt a headache coming on. She took a deep breath and said with immense restraint, "...Do you have a point, or not?"

Seeing that Joanna looked angry enough to punch him, Thomas Warren rubbed his nose and sat up straighter.

Joanna was thrown off by his sudden seriousness. "You..."

"Who did you meet yesterday?" Thomas Warren asked, completely out of the blue.

Joanna froze for a second before her expression turned cold. "What’s that supposed to mean? Were you following me?"

’Thomas Warren wouldn’t ask a question like that for no reason,’ she thought. ’He must have seen something, or guessed something.’

But unexpectedly, hearing Joanna’s accusation, Thomas Warren sighed and feigned a wounded look. "I literally just said I can’t stand stalkers. Why would I do something like that...?"

"Miss Kennedy, how could you lump me in with people like that? I’m truly heartbroken. Nope, you’re definitely buying me this coffee now."

Joanna: "..."

Joanna was speechless for a second, but she quickly composed herself. Thomas Warren didn’t seem to be lying. Her expression softened, though she wasn’t entirely convinced. "Then what did you mean by that question?"

"I was bluffing."

Joanna: "..."

???

Thomas Warren showed no sign of remorse for his presumptuous behavior. "And as it turns out," he said without a shred of guilt, "I was right."

"So, who did you go see?" Thomas Warren asked.

For once, Joanna was actually at a loss for words. After a few seconds, she met his gaze, her tone flat. "Since you’re so good at guessing, why bother asking me? Figure it out yourself."

"Tsk." Thomas Warren leaned back in his chair. "So petty."

The "petty" person in question, Joanna, replied, "You have three minutes left."

Thomas Warren: "..."

"Shirley Shepherd?"

Joanna said nothing.

A roguish grin spread across Thomas Warren’s face. "Oh yeah. Looks like I’m right again..."

Joanna couldn’t deny it. His flippant, playboy attitude was infuriating. She frowned. "Thomas Warren, don’t you feel the least bit embarrassed, having a girl chase after you like that?"

Her tone was accusatory. The smile on Thomas Warren’s lips faded slightly. He raised an eyebrow. "Now, about that..."

"Miss Kennedy, you’re making a strapping young lad like myself chase after you. Do you feel embarrassed?"

Thomas Warren’s tone was still light, but Joanna could sense he was getting angry. Confused, she said, "I’m not making you chase after me."

"So I’m making Shirley Shepherd chase after me?" Thomas Warren’s tone dripped with sarcasm. "She’s the one who’s acting possessed, pulling this whole stalk-and-ambush routine. What is she trying to do, win the 2025 Most Touching Person in Celestria award?"

"If I’d known it was going to be this much trouble, I never would have saved her," Thomas Warren finally spat out. In the distance, there was a THUD—the sound of a coffee cup hitting the floor. Then, someone bolted out the door, leaving only the wind chime swaying in their wake.

It all happened so fast. By the time Joanna processed it, Shirley Shepherd was gone. Across the table, Thomas Warren’s expression hadn’t changed. He even took the coffee the waiter handed him and took a slow sip.

"...You knew she was here the whole time?!"

"Just a guess," Thomas Warren said with a blink.

"..."

Joanna was at a complete loss for words. This was all just too absurd. She was starting to regret even coming to the coffee shop. ’What a total mess,’ she thought.

The timer chimed once, and she immediately silenced it, rising to her feet without a moment’s hesitation. "Time’s up. Goodbye."

’And good riddance,’ she added silently.

"Joanna." In a few strides, Thomas Warren was standing in front of her. Facing her cold expression, he spoke slowly. "Things aren’t what you think they are. You should stay away from Shirley Shepherd."

"No, scratch that. It’s best if you have no contact with her at all," Thomas Warren said.

His tone was uncharacteristically serious. Joanna didn’t say a word. She just turned and walked away without hesitation.

The wind chime tinkled a few more times. The waiter brought over the other coffee and, in fluent Celestran, asked, "Boss, shall I get this one to go for you?"