Jemma's smile faded, “What’s this?”"A tiny gift.""How can I take it? It’s...""Come on! Today's the first day of our friendship. We danced, it's only fitting. Allow me."He leaned in, putting the necklace around her neck. They were close, and he gave her lips a serious look. Jemma lowered her eyes hesitantly.He grinned, “Thanks for taking it. It looks rad on your neck.”Jemma smiled, "Thanks."Sebastian took her hand and gave it a peck, making her feel a bit awkward. "Catch you around."She nodded, "Good night.""See ya."She strolled into the apartment building, and he kept watching her until she disappeared from his view.Jemma walked into the apartment, finding it pitch dark. She had no clue that Noah was home. She flicked on the lights and spotted Noah standing by the couch, his gaze intense."Jimmy..." She felt uneasy under his scrutinizing look."You left the office early," he remarked."Yeah, had a meeting."Noah shot a cold glance at the necklace around her neck and said, "
Noah walked into the apartment. Jemma stood by the door, her back turned, engrossed in a file. She didn't glance his way when she heard him enter. Ignoring him, she continued reading.He peeked at her, recalling Jacob's words. If he didn't step up, she'd slip away. Sebastian was indirectly dating her, doing all the things a boyfriend should do.Noah coughed to grab her attention, but she kept flipping through the file, lips bitten.The air was heavy with the scent of alcohol, mixed with his strong perfume that used to make her heart skip a beat. Noah observed she hadn't changed out of her stunning rose gold party dress. The short, sequined number with long sheer sleeves showcased her figure perfectly.Trying to find the right words, Noah stood there.Jemma placed the file on the table and spoke in a soft tone, "This file is ready to move forward. It needs your signatures. Please sign it before morning."She started heading towards her bedroom, but Noah called out, "Jemma..."She halte
Breathing hard, his eyes weary, he looked at her. She was breathing heavily.With his hands guiding her thighs forward, Noah pulled her dress up slowly. He planted a kiss next to her attractive navel. With a gasp, Jemma closed her eyes and ran a hand over his hair. His lips found her white thighs instead of the space between her legs.And something unexpected caught his eye there. Fingerprints.With his eyes clouded, Noah cast a glance at her. She opened her eyes and fixed her gaze on him, noticing a stop in intimacy.In a hoarse voice, Noah asked, "Who touched you?"Jemma froze. The realization of a disturbing incident from earlier in the evening sank in.Swallowing hard, she replied, "Jimmy... what are you talking about?""Who? Who fucked you?" he pressed, his tone intense and demanding.Realizing his misunderstanding, she trembled nervously."No, Jimmy... It's not what you think," she stammered."Who touched you there?" he demanded, his voice getting louder."Jimmy," she repeated,
BEEPThe door creaked open, and Jemma raised her head from her knees to look at the man who had entered the apartment following a fatal fight. His demeanour was ferocious, his eyes blazing and filled with death. She spotted his bloodied palms and the drops on the floor. Her throat dried as she realised how serious his fight with Sebastian had been.She shivered with terror. Noah sighed deeply when he saw her sitting on the floor beside the couch, hugging her knees and crying. He approached her, his gaze softening as he carried her in his arms. He silently led her to the bedroom and gently placed her on the bed.He removed some ointment from the drawer near the bed, pulled up her dress, and checked the bruises on her white thigh. Jemma bit her lips, feeling ashamed and embarrassed. He applied ointment to her softly. His touch was so comforting that she sobbed.He sat at the edge of the bed and gently wiped away her tears."Does it hurt?" he asked in a raspy voice. She only shook her he
A week later…Jemma, holding her phone, dialled Jia's number with a smile on her face. The call connected, and Jia's voice echoed through the line."Hey, birthday girl! Happy eighteenth! How does it feel to finally be legal?" Jemma teased.Jia chuckled, "Thanks, Jemma. It feels... I don't know, just different."Jemma couldn't hold back any longer and wished, "I really wish Jimmy and I could be there to celebrate with you, Jia."There was a brief pause on the other end, and Jia's tone changed. "Actually, Jemma, that's what I wanted today."Jemma sensed sadness in Jia's voice, "What's up, sweetheart?""I wanted both of you to come and give me a surprise. It's my eighteenth, and I thought it would be so cool if you and brother could be here," Jia expressed, a hint of disappointment in her tone.Jemma sighed, "Jia, I wish we could be there too, really. But Jimmy's caught up with work. It's been so hectic for him, and he couldn't manage to get away."Jia, a bit annoyed, replied, "Work, wor
Jacob pulled Jia into an embrace, and she cried, holding onto him as her life depended on it. He patted her back gently, saying, "Calm down.""Why do you keep coming here? Why... why are you doing this? Just don't come here. Please, don't come here," she pleaded between sobs.Jacob's heart ached to see her so broken. He patted her back and caressed her hair gently, trying to console her.After she finally calmed down and got her breathing back to normal, she lifted her face, all streaked with tears and gave him those innocent, teary eyes. In a hushed, shaky voice, she spoke, "Don't marry her. Can't you?"He gently held her face in his hands, trying not to lose it."She's loaded, your age, and beautiful. Is that the deal? I'm eighteen now. I'll graduate next year, hustle, make some cash, and I'll be a total hottie."Jacob shook his head, wiping away her tears. "Easy there, shhh, shhh...""Can you just, like, stop it? Pretty please?" she begged."Jia... just hear me out.""She's part of
The next day…Jemma had one more dull day without Noah, and when she left the headquarters feeling sad, everything changed. A charming man stood by his car, wearing a blue long coat, a white turtleneck t-shirt, and white pants. His seductive gaze and sensual smile caught her off guard, making her heart skip a beat. It felt unreal, like a hallucination.Noah widened his coat and blinked at her with his smile. Jemma's face lit up, and she ran towards him. She threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck. He enveloped her in his coat, lifted her from her waist, and happily spun her around. She bent her legs, feeling overjoyed."Oh, Jimmy! I'm so happy, Jimmy. So, so happy..." she exclaimed.He looked into her sparkling eyes deeply, and she realized the extent of her excitement. Calming down, she gazed deeply into his affectionate eyes.Noah gently placed her back on the ground, and she rested her head on his chest. Wrapped in his warm coat, they both found ease.Noah pl
Jemma’s pale skin showed her inner agony, but she tried to look unaffected, her fingers shaking as they stroked her face."What were you up to last night?" he inquired in his seductive voice."What?" Jemma asked, genuinely puzzled.Noah raised his eyebrows, his tone playful. "You don't remember what you said?"Jemma decided to take off with a sudden surge of enthusiasm, laughs following. She cried out over her shoulder, "I don't remember," and began to sprint. Noah smiled, and his spirit of competition sparked. "Oh, it's on!" he exclaimed, resolutely pursuing her. With a playful smile on her lips, Jemma turned to look back at Noah and accelerated her pace, encouraging him to catch up. Her mischievous gaze shone brightly."Jimmy, you're not fast enough!" she called out between giggles teasingly sticking out her tongue."Oh, you just wait!" he replied as he closed the gap.He caught up quickly and threw his arms around her before they both passed out from the impromptu pursuit and fell