"Jimmy, please... you can't do that. You can't ruin someone like this.""I said stay out of it," he jerked his arm away, yelling, "how dare she talk to you like that?"He stormed out of the study room, declaring, "I'll make her regret those words.""No, Jimmy, wait up!" She hurried into the living room, grabbing his arm."Jimmy... Jimmy... Listen to me.""What?" he snapped, giving her a rough shake.She stared back, freaked out by his intense glare. His anger was sending chills down her spine."Jimmy, just hear me out," she pleaded, her voice shaky.He gripped her shoulder harder, growling, "She needs to learn a lesson.""It's not her fault. She just gave her two cents on my plan," she argued."How can she diss my wife like that?"Jemma's eyes teared up at the mention of 'my wife.' Her heart squeezed, and she said determinedly, "For your wife's sake, Jimmy. Don't go."Hearing her shaky voice and catching a glimpse of tears in her eyes, Noah snapped out of his rage. Jemma's eyes brimme
The sun was almost gone.Jemma sat in front of the mirror, putting on makeup. When she put on her earrings, Noah knocked, "Ready?""Yeah, yeah, just give me five minutes," she yelled back.Noah barged in, ending a call, "Dad called. The party's starting, and we gotta be there on time, or Jia will kill me."Jemma stood up, applying lipstick, "Hmm..."Noah's eyes landed on her back.The dress had a low back to her lower waist.Jemma turned to him, smiling, "I'm ready. Let's go."Noah checked her out. The dress was simple but classy, knee-length with full sleeves and a deep thigh cut. He coughed awkwardly.Seeing his expression, Jemma got confused. "What's up? You okay?"He pointed at her exposed thigh, "What's that?"Jemma looked down, "What?""What are you wearing? Change it, now.""Huh? But why?""I don't care. Change it.""Jimmy, Mom picked outfits for all. It's her choice. I can't change it.""I don't care. Change it right now.""What? But I can't insult Mom. And I like this dress,"
Jemma stole glances at him, feeling more embarrassed with Jia's words echoing in her mind."What if someone sees us? You shouldn't have come in here," she blurted out."I don't care," he replied, always carefree when it came to her safety.His eyes landed on her exposed back. He flicked cigarette ash, not intentionally checking her out, but then his gaze fell on her exposed thigh, and he frowned."I suggest you change. I'll buy you a new dress right now," he suggested.Jemma turned off the tap and glared at him, squeezing her dress, "Are you kidding me? How childish does that sound!"Jemma stood near the hand dryer, trying to dry her dress, and started sneezing. Noah remembered those hand dryers never suited her; she'd end up having allergic reactions. He said, "Stop."Approaching her, he took off his blazer, "You... put this on and give me your dress.""What?" Jemma was shocked."Come on, give me your dress.""It's... It's okay. I'll manage.""You want to spend three days sneezing in
When they got back to the party, Jia's eyes landed on Jacob, who was standing with Sara and four more elders.Jia sighed, "That Jacob is your childhood friend, right?""Hmm..." Noah extinguished his cigarette and grabbed a drink."How dull! Why is he hanging out with the elders?"Noah explained, "The woman next to Mom is Mrs. Kasher, and the man in the black suit is Mr. Kasher. The others are Mr. and Mrs. Peterson.""Why are they all serious?""Probably talking about Laila.""Who's Laila?""Laila Peterson. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson want Jacob to be their son-in-law. They're figuring out a date for the event."Jia's face turned pale."Didn't she come to the party?" Jemma asked."No, she's a wedding planner. Must be working on someone else's wedding."Noticing Jemma yawning, Noah understood she was tired and needed some rest."You okay?" he asked her."Yeah..." she replied lazily.Noah looked at Jia, who was staring at Jacob."Jia, we're going back."Jia nodded simply."No, that's fine," Je
Jemma wiped her tears, lowered her head, and said, "I've seen it in the news. Every day, I used to watch it on television while lying in the hotel room when we were abroad.""What difference does it all make, Jemma? When you drink, I bring you home. I put my blazer on your shoulders. Don't I?""Yes, because I am your wife. Only I should wear your blazer; only I should be carried in your arms, brought back home."Noah was stunned. She had been thinking about all this all these days.Jemma turned away, sobbing, "I can't see all this. Why do you go to her? Why do you need to meet her?"Noah turned back and poured a drink for him.Noah never expected that Jemma would connect his small gestures and blow them out of proportion. He gulped down alcohol, trying to comprehend her thoughts. Then, slowly, Jemma wrapped her arms around his waist from behind and rested her head on his back, clinging to him.In a hoarse voice, she said, "I now understand how much pain you must feel seeing me with Ja
Jia began her journey abroad for university studies, and Noah, being the protective brother, made sure she had everything she needed. He arranged a private apartment, a driver, and a car, and took care of all the necessary arrangements to ensure Jia's comfort and well-being in the new city.Adjusting to the new environment, Jia found ease in the vibrant university atmosphere that embraced her delicate heart. Noah, on the other hand, had to stay back in the same city for a few days, dealing with some business matters.Meanwhile, tensions lingered between Jemma and Noah. Despite the passage of time since the party night, their relationship had not evolved positively; instead, it seemed to drift further apart, wrapped in a cloud of hesitancy. Noah, choosing avoidance as his strategy, refrained from giving Jemma the time that could lead to uncomfortable or serious conversations.Jemma, unwilling to give up, continued hoping for a breakthrough. However, the more she tried, the more evident
Jia found herself in a mall, and her gaze locked with a familiar face. Recognition struck her, and she stiffened. How could he be here too?Jacob approached her with a casual "Hi."Jia managed a sad smile, responding, "Hi.""It's weird, we met here," Jacob commented."Don't tell me you're here with your wife. I can leave," Jia quipped."We haven't married yet. I'm here for business," Jacob explained.Jia smirked, "Alright. I'm not interested.""You seem pissed at me.""Oh, really? You just figured that out? Well, if you did, then congrats, Sherlock. It's true.""Can I know why?""Hahaha, you're asking why? Like you don't already know. Thanks to you, I'm stuck studying in this godforsaken place, far away from everyone, and you're asking why?""Because of me? I don't remember telling you to come here. Did we even talk about this?"Jia gritted her teeth, “You know what? Go to hell.” She threw her clutch at him and walked away. Jacob wasn't about to let her stay annoyed. He followed her,
The evening was bathed in beauty as the sun dipped below the horizon.Jacob, feeling the warmth of the moment, took off his warm coat and draped it over her shoulders. They sat together in the car, a comfortable silence enveloping them. Jacob lit a cigarette, the smoke curling into the crisp evening air.The air was charged with the aftermath of the passionate kiss, leaving both of them momentarily speechless. Jacob, eager to break the silence, couldn't help but wonder about how she felt about the wild kiss. He discreetly peeked at her swollen lips and blushed face, sighing deeply. The realization hit him – the girl was so young and innocent.Jia opened up, "I have only one friend here, Avantika. But she always sticks to her boyfriend."Jacob, curious, questioned, "Then why didn't you make a boyfriend for yourself?"With a nonchalant expression, Jia replied, "Go on a date, kiss, have sex, sit on his lap, feel shy in front of him, celebrate weekly, monthly, yearly anniversaries—I can't