New World with Four Husbands-Chapter 173: A nervous mediator

"I have to go for a bit." Coco announced, nodding her head towards Jonathan and Renaldo.

"What?" Jonathan blurted out, feeling a jolt of surprise as Coco mentioned that she had to leave for a while.

He had assumed that she would stay and continue to stand by his side as Renaldo continued with the conversation, but the news caught him off guard.

He turned to look at Coco, a look of uncertainty and concern on his face, unsure of what to say or do in response to the news as a wave of anxiety washed over him— her words triggering a rush of worry and dread.

Renaldo may have told him that they may get along in the future and asked him to a friendly lunch tomorrow, but that doesn’t mean that he feels completely comfortable.

He had been banking on Coco’s presence as a source of comfort and reassurance, that he was doing fine, and the sudden realization that he would be left alone with the mediator and his wife was a terrifying feeling.

He clenched his hands into fists, his knuckles turning white against the basket with tension as he fought to keep his panic under control.

"I have to go for a bit." Coco repeated her words and reached out to touch Jonathan’s arm, "I have to drop off the fruits I harvested today at Magia Pierre, then I’ll be back before you know it."

The anxious Jonathan only felt more waves of nervousness crash over him as Coco said what she had to do while she was out.

He did not want to be left alone with Jacques and Renaldo, the thought of being left alone, even just for a minute, with two strangers making him feel anxious and uncomfortable. freewebnøvel.coɱ

"Would it take you long? Where’s Magia Pierre located in the village anyway?" He asked as he tried to keep his expression neutral, not wanting to display his discomfort, but he couldn’t stop the tension from building up inside of him.

"Magia Pierre’s right beside the Red Horse Inn, which you will have to turn right on the first intersection if you’re from the gate." Coco answered truthfully and squeezed Jonathan’s arm.

"You’ll be fine." Coco assured him as she squeezed his arm once more, "They won’t do anything, I swear."

"Mhmm." Renaldo agreed with a hum on Coco’s statement which caught Coco’s and Jonathan’s attention, making them snap their heads in his direction, "Just stay while Coco drops off the fruits at Mrs. Tani, we can have a conversation and get to know each other while she’s gone."

Coco brightened up and turned back to Jonathan. "See? They want to get to know you."

However, as much as Coco wants for her friends to get along, she knows that she can’t force Jonathan to do so— especially after what he has just done.

He reached out and touched her arm, his body language betraying his neutral expression.

It was obvious that he couldn’t bring himself to say anything, too afraid to speak his true feelings in front of Renaldo but his touch spoke volumes, his fingers gripping her arm tightly as if he was trying to anchor himself to her presence.

His hand brushed against her sleeve, silently pleading with her not to leave him alone.

He had his back turn on Renaldo so only Coco could see how his eyes were wide and pleading, his expression almost desperate as his fingers curled around her arm tighter.

Now that she’s actually paying attention to him, she could aos see how his whole body was tense with tension, his anxiety and fear almost noticeable as he silently communicated his need for her to stay.

Coco noticed the discomfort on the mediator’s face, her heart sinking at the sight of his obvious distress.

She felt a pang of guilt for pushing what she wanted and for trying to leave him alone in the situation he didn’t want and immediately felt bad— the nervous tension and desperation clearly written on his features.

She could feel the way he was clutching at her arm, the pleading look in his eyes and the way he immediately asked why she had to go.

Coco turned to Renaldo and smiled as she grabbed the anxious mediator, her expression warm and friendly.

"Change of plans, Rnealdo." She hummed out and held Jonathan’s hand that was gripping her arm earlier, the touch of her hand and the warmth of her smile acting as a form of reassurance.

"I remembered that I already planned a dinner for me and Jonathan so I can’t leave him here." Coco said and discreetly squeezed Jonathan’s hand, "We’ll go straight to the inn after I drop off the fruits. I hope you don’t mind."

Jonathan felt her reassurance through her touch, her warmth and comfort helping to loosen the panicked knot that had formed in his chest.

Coco’s expression was gentle and apologetic, trying to assure Renaldo that Jonathan just had to come with her because of the dinner plan and not because Jonathan doesn’t want to be left alone with them.

She kept her grip on Jonathan’s hand, her body angled slightly towards him as if she was trying to shield him from any danger.

She looks like a hen protecting her chick. Renaldo thought to himself which made the corner of his lips twitch from the similarities as he fought hard to keep his expression still.

"Yes, yes." Renaldo spoke up after clearing his throat, "Who are we to stop you from hanging out with a friend?"

Renaldo watched closely as Coco’s face brightened up with relief before she turned to Jonathan, her hand squeezing his hand once again.

Renaldo couldn’t help but find the anxious man before him adorable.

Despite Jonathan’s obvious discomfort, there was something endearing about his nervous demeanor and the way he clung to Coco’s arm.

"Bring him back tomorrow if he’s free, okay?" Renaldo smiled at Coco and watched them walk out of the shop.

"Okay!"