"Jennie! Are you okay!" Jackson asked her. The music was loud, but she could hear the panic and rage in his voice. Jennie tried to step towards him, but she collapsed to the ground.
"Steven, Steven!" Jackson screamed for his friend. After a few seconds, Steven rushed inside.
"Bro, get Jennie to the car. I have something to take care of here." Jackson directed his buddy.
Steven rushed over to Jackson's side and tried to carry Jennie out.
But she refused, "If Jackson doesn't leave with us, then I am not leaving either!" Jennie gathered her strength and told Steven.
"You are so stubborn, Jennie. Bro, let her go! You want to see what I am about to do, then watch! Steven, can you hurry to the pharmacy and get her Toxin Rid pill kit to help her detox herself?" Jackson
Jennie heard a car parking sound outside, five minutes after her call with Steven. "It can't be him. I just dropped the call with him a few minutes ago. He can not be that fast." Jennie said to herself.However, she was wrong when the door opened, and Steven stepped inside. Jennie could finally breathe. She knew that Steven would not allow Jackson to die, even if it cost him his life. That is how powerful their friendship is to them.Steven's eyes grew insane with rage as he watched his friend covered in blood. Stevens could not deny the reality that Jackson's fight has turned into his battle.He rushed toward Travis and beat him on the head with a chair he had grabbed from the doorway. Travis dropped to the ground in pain. Afterward, Drake attempted to kick Steven. However, he received a blow in balls with the chair.Without Travis and Drake to tackle Jackson, he was free to attach his other han
Jackson sat in his office, watching the clock on the wall. The clock shorthand struck three and longhand rested on twelve."I can't take this!" Jackson yelled. He took his coat and left his office."Hey, Kate. I am going out and won't be back until tomorrow. In case anyone visits me, do tell them that I am out of service and call me if it is important." Jackson shouted toward Kate as he left the building.The air was cold as snow fell from the sky. "Well, I will take Stevens's advice and do some daylight drinking. After all, he took my advice about telling Julie the truth." Jackson said as he entered his car.The bar was quiet around this hour. Jackson sat on a stool and asked the bartender to get him a whiskey. After his third glass, an annoying but familiar voice called out to him."Hello, Jackson. It is a pleasure to meet you here." Chloe said as she took a seat next to him.
"The roller coaster was amusing! After I got over my fear of falling, the ride became enjoyable. Thanks, Steven. What next? Should we grab some lunch and discuss your job offer and what position you have available for me?" Julie said happily.Today was magical for her. She knew that it was not a date. But somehow it felt like it was, and she didn't hate the feeling."I am glad you had fun, Julie. I wish this could last longer. However, I just got a text from Jackson, and I need to meet up with him at the bar." Steven told her.Julie felt disappointed. She wanted him to stay with her for a while longer. Still, Julie didn't want to be pushy or greedy. But she could not help herself."I can come with you to the bar, and we can both meet Jackson together. Afterward, he can drop me home since we are neighbors." She intoned.Steven wanted nothing more than to agree with her. Yet he kne
"God, I am late. My mother will kill me. It is all Jackson's fault for overwhelming me with that hard news. I had to retouch my makeup after crying my eyes out in the bar. Ah, that was so embarrassing. Now, I can't get a taxi or Uber in time because of this traffic. AHH! It is frustrating!" Chloe screamed as she stood on the sidewalk."Joe, can you draw the center sliding glass up? I am sleepy, but the light is bothering me. That way, the tinted glass will block the light from disturbing my sleep." Julie suggested."Sure thing, Madame!" Joe said and pressed the button.Julie watched as the glass isolated her and Joe. The darkened glass made sure she did not see the sunlight or him. Now Julie can take a nap, but there's something else she has to address."Joe!" Julie called."Yes, Madame!" Joe replied"Can you call me Julie, please? Madame seems stiff." She re
"Julie! We are nearly at your residence." Joe announced.Julie and Joe have been riding in silence since he dropped off Chloe. Although he attempted to call her name numerous times, Julie did not answer."Joe, can you please stop me at Jackson's address?" Julie replied, striving her best to make her voice as carefree as possible. She has been sobbing since she eavesdropped on Joe and Chloe's conversation.Julie did not understand why she was feeling betrayed and wrong. Yet Julie could not help feeling that way, so she wanted to express these emotions to someone who has been in love and understands Steven. The only person Julie knew that contained both qualities was Jackson."Sure, Julie!" Joe said worriedly. He could detect the uneasiness in her tone.Julie brought out her mirror and applied some powder on her appearance to conceal her puffy eyes and tear stain face. 
"I can tell that you are not interested in this blind date, Chloe," Matt mumbled.He had been chatting for an hour, and the only response he could get from Chloe was two to three words."What!" Chloe answered.She continued staring into space and questioning why Steven did not inform her he was proposing when he asked her that silly question two years ago.Matt glanced at her and gave her the "what is going on" look. Chloe realized that she was not treating Matt fairly if she stays there."I am sorry, but I can't proceed with this date any further." She stated.The restaurant appeared so beautiful with different couples laughing and discussing happily. Yet Matt was the only person aiming to establish a kinship with someone who did not have any warmth toward him."Fascinating, who is he?" Matt demanded as Chloe tried to leave her seat.
"You are home, daughter. How did your date with Matt go?" Mrs. Wanton said.Chloe saw her mother sitting on the dining room table. She felt her carefree spirit leave her, and the only feeling left was fear. Yet Chloe understood that it had to end. All the resentment, panic, and anxiety has to cease for her to recover the spirit to stand up for herself.She approached Mrs. Wanton and sat in a chair opposite her. The dining hall light glowed on the faces of the two women for about three minutes before Chloe found the strength to respond."I..." Chloe uttered, but Mrs. Wanton could read the expression on her daughter, and she realized what Chloe was about to say would put her in trouble."You don't have to answer my question. Matt called your dad, and he said that your date was lovely. Matt invited you on another date the day after tomorrow. Your father is content right now. All you have to do is don't
"I am home, hubby!" Jackson announced when he entered the living room.The house was dark from the inside. All the light bulbs were off, the curtains were down, and closed."What is happening to her again? Recently Jennie has been manifesting new characters to drive me insane. I reached home. Instead of meeting a radiant wife awaiting my arrival, I found my entire home gloomy and dark. Plus, my wife is nowhere in sight. God, what is transpiring in my marriage!" Jackson cried as he turned on the lights.He switches on the dining room light switch and sees the whole table occupied with various foods and a note.Written on the paper were these words. "I know you have been drinking on an empty stomach, and the only food you ate from this morning till now is breakfast. So eat up and meet me in the bedroom. I love you."Jackson felt warm inside, and yet he appeared distressed, as if Ja
Jackson walked into the dining room, fully dressed in a suit, and Rose and Miya gazed away from their food and awkwardly stared at him. “Dada!” Milo shouted, jumping in his seat. Then Mila and Milu followed his lead and started yelling, “dada.” Those words brought a smile onto Jackson's lips even though he had heard it countless times for the past few months. Beaming with joy, he walked over to his kids' seats and took Milo, Mila and Milu out of their chairs one after the other, playing with them for a moment before putting them back into their seats. “Where are you going in a suit?” Rose asked, setting her fork down on the table. “Today is Miya's final trial date, and I'm driving her to the courthouse?” Jackson said, adoringly staring at Miya. Taking her focus off her son, Rose gazed at Milo, Mila, and Milu and said, “Can you guys say ‘Nana?” “Mom, you've been trying to make them say ‘nana’ for six months now. Th
“Mom, bride, where we at?” The wedding planner said, walking further into the room.Mrs. Harper pulled up her daughter's gown zipper and smiled.“We are ready.” She mumbled, gently rubbing Julie’s arms as tears ran down her cheeks.“Awesome, bride, please come with me. Your father is waiting for you at the church door.”The wedding planner said.A look of hesitation crossed Julie’s face. Then she turned around and tightly hugged her mother.“I love you so much,” Julie said, sobbing softly.“I love you too, sweetheart.” Mrs. Harper mumbled, gently patting her back.Now that the bridesmaids were in the church hall, everyone was impatiently waiting for the bride, except Jackson.He was too focused on staring at Miya to care for the stuff going on around him.“Everyone please stand! The bride is about to enter.” The preacher said.
“Groomsmen, Groom, you guys got to be out of here in the next twenty minutes and be in the church.” The wedding planner said as he walked into the room.Jackson stopped buttoning his shirt, gazed at him, and said, “Oh is the bridal party ready?”“No. I got words from the ladies' planner, and she said that the bridesmaids and the bride will be ready and in the church within the next one hour.”“Oh! Okay. We will be out in ten.”After the wedding planner left, Jackson turned to gaze at Steven, and a frown settled on his face.“Steve, breathe,” Jackson mumbled, walking over to his friend.“I'm getting married today,” Steven whispered, holding in his breath.“I know. But you have to exhale to release the tension building up inside of you.”“There's so much ‘what if’ questions going on in my head. Like what if Juli
“Hey, mom. I'm heading out to meet with Steven.” Jackson said, walking into the living room. Rose took her eyes off Mila for a second, gazed at her son, and said, “Okay.” Then she focused back on her granddaughter. A look of disbelief crossed Jackson's face. Then he stared at Miya and whispered, “It's like I am invisible to her. Is it legal for a mother to replace her son with her grandkids?” “I think I have lost my rights as their mother,” Miya mumbled, chuckling softly. Rose rolled her eyes at both of them, and said, “Haha, fun… my grandbabies needs their nana.” “How long do you plan to stay here?” Jackson mumbled, struggling not to laugh. “Until they are old enough to call me Nana.” “Well. That's some plan. Anyways, I got to go. Steven is planning to invoke my right as his best man if I don't show up.” In a rush, Jackson kissed the babies on their foreheads and turned to stare at Miya, striving to say the words
The wind blew aggressively against Miya's face, sending her hair in every direction as she stared into Jackson's eyes.“What do you mean?” Miya mumbled, digging her fingers into the sand.“Well… Ummm… Milo and Milu are men. Well they are babies now but they won't stay like that forever. And they love you even though they can't say it.” Jackson mumbled, taking his eyes off her and focusing on the ocean.“Oh,”“I know how much my mother means to me, and the love I have for her is endless. I think they feel the same way even though they can't speak now.”“How would you know that?”
When she heard footsteps approaching the living room, Rose lifted her head and her gaze rested on her son and Miya. “Mom, we are going out. I just hired a nanny to come over, but can you stay with the kids for a few hours until we get back? Also, there will be a few other people coming over, would you please supervise them as they carry out their task?” Jackson said. “Sure, you two run about your business, and I will be right here with these adorable cuties,” Rose mumbled with a smile as Milu’s tiny hand grabbed onto her finger. His lips curved into a smile as Jackson watched his mother's face glowed with joy. Then he breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Thanks, mom.” “You don't have to thank me. These are my grandbabies, and I would do anything for them.” Rose said. The corner of Jackson's mouth raised as he watched the bright smile on Miya's pinkish lips. After a few minutes, Jackson drove out of his yard with Miya in the front seat
The moment Jackson and Jennie came back into the living room everyone tried to act natural.Without looking up for even a second, Steven was intensely staring at his blank phone screen while Julie clutched onto Steven's arm and rested her head on his shoulder, gazing down at his phone.Swaying his sight from the entrance, Chris hastily stared at his watch without taking his eyes off it even though he already knew the time.Suddenly, Mr. Harper took the box off the table and began eating the donut that was meant for Jackson while Mrs. Harper tried to get him to stop.And Rose, well, she continued playing with grandbabies like she had been doing all these while.However, Miya was the only one who made eye contact with Jackson, and when their gaze fixed on each other, Jackson looked the other way.“I'm leaving,” Jennie mumbled.For a second she stood quite still as a feeling of embarrassment held her hostage.Then Jennie walked out
After Jennie entered Jackson's room, he followed her in and shut the door behind him.“You and her?” Jennie mumbled while sadly staring Jackson in his eyes.It took a moment of hesitation for Jackson to stiffly smiled and said, “We are just co-parenting.”It grew silent between them. Then Jennie walked over to the bed, sat down on the mattress, and mumbled, “You are a dad. That was something you always wanted, and it hurt so bad that I am not the one who made you a father.”“Believe me, that's exactly how I felt when I walked into that room and saw you with your son. It hurt, it hurt so bad that I felt like I couldn't breathe, like the air I was inhaling was suffocating me.” Jackson calmly intoned.As her hand gently caressed the sheet, Jennie ushered her eyes closed and took in a deep breath. Then she stared at Jackson and said, “But you don't feel that way now.”“What?
No one in the room was prepared for Miya's response, not even Chris and Jackson, and as silence settled in their midst, everyone had different emotions on their faces.Suddenly Steven's heartbeat began to increased and his mouth opened, but no words came out.Then he took a long stared at Miya and angrily said, “You are the lady that Chris brought to Jackson's hospital room that day. When did you two hook up?”The anger raging through Miya suddenly ceased, and panic had her in its grip as she nervously stared at Jackson and thought, ‘Why did I say that?’Then she bowed her head and her nails dug into her palm when she felt them staring at her.Feeling completely betrayed by his best friend, Steven looked at Jackson with sadness in his eyes, and coldly asked, “Were you cheating on Jennie with her before the accident?”Although Jackson had already answered Steven's question in his head, his body didn’t know how to react, and he froze to a poin