(Jessamine’s POV) Aiden is 6’1 feet tall, but he raises his heels and stretches his neck, trying to have a chance to see Kyle, but the elephant-stuffed toy blocks his view. He didn’t argue with me, but he stayed on the side of his bedroom.He heaved a sigh when he couldn’t even have a glimpse of Kyle’s face. Sadness filled his face as he tried again. He attempted another step but glanced at the foot of the doorframe, making sure he did not cross the line.My heart was stung when his lips curved into a gloomy half-smile and breathed out.“For the love of God, Aiden, don’t make me look like the villain here,” I hissed, clenching my hands into fists. “You have a minute to see Kyle.”Aiden’s face lifted up, beaming like I had just announced it was Christmas.“Five minutes?” He was hopeful, carefully stepping into the carpeted floor as if it were a trap.“One minute! That’s all you can get.” I frowned and sat, almost slumping into the chair. Aiden was acting suspiciously, and I hated it
(Jessamine’s POV) Aiden’s return to Carterville was the only thing I ever wished for to be happy, but as I stared at the serene lake in Adilene’s, it hurt so much to think that seeing him again would drift us apart forever. Teddy told me to consider taking the property, a gift that could be Kyle’s someday. Since Aiden put it in my name, only I could decide what to do about it, and last night, I told him I did not want anything from Aiden.“Jessamine!”I turned around, hearing Luke’s call. A big grin curved his lips as he raised his left arm high and waved at me.“Luke!” I smiled, stepping toward him.He opened his arms wide, and I ran to him, accepting a tight hug. “How are you?”I moved back, all smiling but sighing as I thought of how to answer his question.“I’m… fine?” I chuckled, shrugging and sounding unsure. “This motherhood thing is still new to me,” I added before he could think there was more to my answer. “Word of advice, Luke, don’t give birth,” I joked, rolling my eyes.
(Aiden’s POV) My heart hammered hard in my chest, anticipating Jessamine’s soft lips on mine. Kissing her yesterday was a mistake, not in a wrong way. I missed my bubbly, innocent, and sometimes terrifying best friend.Jessamine placed her hands on my shoulders, slowly grazing her palms down and stopping on my chest.“In your dreams, Aiden,” Jessamine said in a hushed tone, pushing me.She stood and went straight to the stairs, climbing up without looking at me. I breathed out, leaning on the backrest, taking the cold compress, and pressing it back on my cheek. I snorted, hearing Deborah’s mocking laugh, her way of telling me she won the bet.She bet I would have to die first before Jessamine would give me the kiss I wanted. She even added that I was lucky I was allowed to hold and be with Kyle today, assuring me that Jessamine was serious about kicking me out of her life.Yet I was so sure of myself that I didn’t have to die to get what I wanted. Jessamine kissed me back yesterd
(Aiden’s POV) ‘I want an intimate lunch,’ Dad said earlier, causing Deborah to panic.‘What does it mean?’ Our friend’s eyes were wide, unsure of what my father meant.Susan smiled gently, assuring our friend to relax, and explained that her husband wanted a homey gathering with the family members. When my stepmother told her it was easy-peasy, I believed her because not only did she bring five housekeepers with her today, but she was also willing to participate in the cooking in our old kitchen. She somehow convinced me to cancel a meeting to take revenge on the onion that hit my cheek. While Kyle was with Dad, Jessamine joined us, and for me, it was worthwhile watching them have fun.“Is this your first time to Carterville, Susan?” asked Deborah while mixing the vegetable salad.She glanced at Susan, plating the tuna pasta, a task she never missed doing at home. Whether it is breakfast, lunch, or dinner, she always finds time to make the dishes more than presentable and exciting fo
(Aiden’s POV) “You’re the best friend. Tell me, who’s Aiden’s first love?” Deborah chuckled, glancing at me and then Jessamine while I prepared the chicken.I didn’t want to show off, but Susan asked me if I could cook anything to match the pasta, her way of telling me to prepare her favorite dish. It seldom happened since I was not home much since I went to college, but I had to focus on something else before Susan could ask me questions I didn’t want to lie to. She may not be my biological mother, but she knew what had happened that decade I was away with Jessamine.“Why are you asking me?” Jessamine’s eyebrows knitted for a second.“Come on, Jess,” Deborah giggled. “This is my only chance to kill Aiden with annoyance.”“Laurie?” She answered in a hushed tone as if supporting her friend’s idea of killing me.As if it would happen.“Laurie?” Deborah repeated, copying her sound. Unsure.The corners of my mouth lifted as I remembered the pretty girl in class. Laurie was every guy’s dr
(Jessamine’s POV) There were only six people seated at the table, but it was as if it was our last day on earth. If it were only Deborah and me, we would make fun of our situation and say our lives would end because a meteorite would hit the ground, aiming us directly.I was wrong.It was the silence that would kill us all. It was a déjà vu of the dinner last night; no one dared to talk. My eyes flickered on Theodore Knight. He looked calm… but mighty. I may be a dinosaur, but he is a dragon. He breathed fire, and me? I could eat a lot of cupcakes.“I love this,” Teddy said, taking another ham and cheese biscuit stack from the platter. “I heard you made this, Jessamine.” “Y-Yeah.” I cleared my throat and let my trembling lips curve into a smile.He was probably trying to break the ice, but he didn’t see that he was trying to break an iceberg. It would take years or forever before we all calm down. Or maybe it was just me. It was hard to be ourselves when his presence was intimidati
(Jessamine’s POV) “What did I do this time?” A brief but mocking laugh escaped his mouth, embracing the baguette.“Why is everything a joke to you, Aiden?” My lips trembled, too late to realize I had put myself again in another circus of embarrassing situations before Teddy and Susan, but I was hurt for my son.“A joke?” Aiden shrugged, peering at Deborah.“Jess…” Deborah grabbed my wrist but did not pull me away from Aiden. “The question was meant as a joke. I’m sorry.”Her voice was apologetic. When our eyes met, she shook her head slightly and glanced at Theodore, enough to remind me to watch my behavior before the Knight family. They must not know about the incident about Kyle and my visit to my doctor. But then, I just couldn’t hide my emotions. I was furious after Aiden told me last night that he would still marry Naomi. Mixed feelings kept spiraling inside me – anger, pain, guilt, sadness. I lowered my head, hiding my moistened eyes. I didn’t want them to think I was not fit
(Aiden’s POV) My eyes were on the bathroom door, afraid Jessamine had vanished into thin air because she had been inside for almost two hours already. She is my best friend, and despite the war between us, I knew something was wrong.I stood up, tempted to enter the bathroom, as morbid thoughts crossed my mind.It all started in Adilene’s. She was a different Jessamine when she returned from the office. She was… happy? My eyebrows knitted, unsure if it was the right emotion I read on her face. Maybe she was at peace. I was not sure about it either, but something fishy was going on.Earlier, when I told her to ride in my car, it almost scared me when she didn’t argue or fight. She placed Kyle in the infant car seat, checked the strap, and sat quietly on the front passenger seat. As soon as she fastened her seatbelt, she leaned on the backrest and closed her eyes.Jessamine did not even refuse when I offered to take Kyle to their bedroom and look after him for a while. This was more fr