Kendall sat at one end of the couch, covered by a blanket, bathed in the warm light of the evening filling the living room. Instead of focusing on the show, she occasionally looked over at Jason, who was sitting nearby with a book in hand. A sense of tranquility existed between them, a silence free from the typical stress. Tonight felt different.Jason glanced away from his book and met her eyes, giving a slight smile. He whispered, "You appear lost in contemplation."Kendall glanced downward, a timid smirk gracing her mouth. “I guess… I am.”He set his book aside, shifting slightly so that he could face her. “Something you want to talk about?” His voice was filled with a mild sense of interest and a comforting heat that made her feel comfortable enough to share.Kendall paused, toying with the blanket's edge with her fingers. Talking about her fears or doubts wasn’t something she typically did because it wasn't her natural inclination. However, tonight, as Jason gazed at her with sin
Shortly after, they walked out together and felt the refreshing evening breeze on their faces. While walking in a peaceful silence with their steps syncing naturally, Kendall unexpectedly felt a comforting sense of tranquility. Looking at Jason, she observed his gaze becoming gentler as he gazed ahead at the path."Have you ever done this?" she inquired, breaking the silence. “Just… take a break, step outside for a bit?”Jason chuckled, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Honestly? Not nearly as often as I should. I’ve been so focused on work and… everything else, I guess I forgot how grounding something as simple as this can feel.”With a slight smile on her lips, she nodded. "I believe it's simple to overlook." She stopped briefly to inhale the fragrance of recently dropped leaves. "It seems like there is constant noise surrounding us."Jason's facial expression became gentler as he briefly looked inside himself. He whispered, "You are correct.” “But right now, this feels… different.
As they pulled out onto the road, Jason kept glancing her way, a faint smile playing at his lips. After a short while, he eventually ended the quietness, his voice friendly but playful. "I have a small surprise waiting for you once we arrive at our house." Kendall's eyes grew wider, a combination of curiosity and enthusiasm shining through her face. "A surprise? You know I don’t like suspense, Jason.""He told me to just believe him," with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "The wait will be worth it." She settled back in her seat, trying to contain her anticipation but finding herself stealing glances at him, wondering what he had planned. The drive felt longer than usual, every turn and stop heightening her curiosity. After reaching the house, Jason got out and swiftly went to her side, opening her door with a smile. "He told her to shut her eyes, speaking in a gentle yet authoritative tone." Raising one eyebrow, she couldn't resist the strong intrigue. Breathing in, she closed he
Jason’s day began in silence. The soft shadows painted his bedroom walls as the gentle morning sun's golden rays filtered through his curtains. After blinking a few times, he let his eyes adapt before straightening up. He let out a quiet exhale while running his hand across his face, gradually waking up in the quietness of the room. Bending down, he grabbed the glass of water on the little table next to his bed, drinking a few calming sips to relieve his parched throat. Placing the glass aside, he reclined, allowing the quietness of the early morning to engulf him. For a brief period of time, the burdens of the day had not fully impacted him yet, and he was enjoying the peace and openness that he had rarely experienced recently. But routine called, and he soon stood, moving toward the bathroom to start his day.The hot water from the shower fully awakened him, removing any remaining hints of sleep. He took his time, running his fingers through his hair, shutting his eyes while the wa
Jason’s expression darkened. “Send her in.”While he anticipated her arrival, the comforting warmth he had felt earlier was suddenly replaced by a chilling sensation. He could feel the approaching storm that would soon disturb the fragile peace he had worked tirelessly to establish. However, Kendall's messages stayed on his screen for the time being, untouched, providing reassurance of the world he was working on creating with her, despite another aspect of his life posing a threat to it. Isabella entered the office with her typical grace, her heels making a clicking sound on the shiny floor as the door opened. She stopped at the entrance, looking around the room with a slight, mysterious grin before focusing on him. “Isabella,” Jason’s voice was clipped, his jaw tight. “I wasn’t expecting you.”"Obviously," she responded, closing the door with a relaxed flick of her wrist, acting like she belonged there and disregarding his boundaries. "What is it that you desire?" he inquired, hi
After the door closed with a click, Jason sank into his seat and gazed emptily at the scattered papers on his desk. The typically consistent pace of work, a safe haven he could consistently depend on, now seemed unfamiliar, spoiled by the discussion that had just occurred. He couldn't stop thinking about Isabella's threats, with each word causing more pain and increasing the anger inside him. He took a deep breath before opening his phone to see Kendall's name illuminated on the screen as he scrolled through recent messages. Her response from earlier was simple, cheerful, but it hit him harder than he’d expected: *Miss you too. Can’t wait to see you tonight.*He paused, fingers poised over the keyboard, before quickly typing a message. *Awaiting the hours,* he responded nervously, feeling his heart race as he sent it. The hollow words were said in a desperate attempt to reassure her, and maybe himself, that everything was okay. That he could keep this under control.However, as he pu
Jason hadn’t expected much from lunch today, just a brief escape from the mounting pressures at the office and the situation Isabella had imposed on him. Yet, even as he settled into his usual corner at the upscale restaurant, his nerves were frayed, and he found it difficult to fully immerse himself in the brief quiet of the meal. The sounds of muted laughter, the clinking of silverware around him—everything felt oddly distant, almost surreal.He pushed the food around his plate, glancing at his phone every few moments as if he were anticipating something. Right on time, a fresh message popped up. He could tell who it was without needing to read the name. The words were teasingly straightforward, steeped in her typical air of superiority: “Have you come to a decision yet?” Jason inhaled sharply, the familiar rush of irritation washing over him. *Of course, she couldn’t just let things be,* he thought. With a controlled sigh, he quickly tapped out a response: *Conference room after l
Every footfall he made along the peaceful corridor weighed more than the previous one, showing the heavy load he now bore. Upon his return to his office, the fading light of the late afternoon created shadows on his desk, providing a moment of peace as he briefly ignored all that had happened. However, when he gazed at the stack of papers in front of him, he could hardly process the content written on them. His thoughts were too loud, drowning out the text with echoes of Isabella's voice and the threat veiled behind her sickly-sweet tone.Pushing back his frustration, he forced himself to focus, skimming through figures and contracts, initialing where necessary, his hand moving in practiced motions. Isabella’s claims echoed in the back of his mind, her accusations mixing with the slight pang of guilt he felt when he thought of Kendall.After an hour of numbing paperwork, Jason leaned back, his hand rubbing his temple as he tried to shake off the fatigue settling into his bones. He g
The car journey was peaceful, yet not uncomfortable. Jason reclined, casually swiping on his phone as Kendall stared out the window. She slightly angled her head, and her mouth slightly opened in a gentle gasp. "Jason, check this out!" she whispered, her voice filled with unusual enthusiasm. Jason immediately looked up and followed her gaze. A grand fountain came into view, its sparkling water catching the sunlight in mesmerizing arcs. The flowing water appeared to be dancing, while the peaceful garden enhanced the overall charm. "Isn't it lovely?" Kendall remarked, her voice filled with nostalgia. Jason didn’t reply right away, captivated by the look on her face. It wasn’t often he saw her so visibly delighted by something. He tapped the driver’s shoulder. “Stop the car.” The driver pulled over smoothly, and Jason stepped out, walking briskly around to Kendall’s side. He opened the door and reached out his hand. "Surprised, she asked, 'What are you up to?'" "Bringing you to v
The sales assistants and the driver helped load everything into the car. Jason held the door for Kendall as they exited the store from the boutique. Just as she started walking, Jason's stomach let out a loud growl. Kendall suddenly halted in her steps, turning her head quickly towards him as she chuckled. "Was that... you?" she questioned, disbelief evident in her tone. Jason shyly rubbed the back of his neck, causing his ears to blush slightly. "What else can I say? Shopping takes energy,” he replied, giving her a small grin. Kendall shook her head, still chuckling. “Jason Carter, starving after one hour in a boutique. Who would’ve thought?” "Hey, I never mentioned being famished," he joked, although his stomach rumbled again, proving otherwise. "Maybe I am, alright." “Let’s find a place to eat before this turns into a medical emergency.” Kendall smirked, linking her arm with his. “You’re impossible. Fine, breakfast it is.” Jason noticed a charming café nestled in a corn
As Jason led Kendall toward the car, the bright morning sun filled the lobby, with her hand securely in his. She moved at a leisurely pace, with slightly uncertain steps, yet her smile exuded warmth. Jason sneakily looked at her every few seconds, his spare hand poised to support her if she fell. "Jason," Kendall said with a hint of playfulness in her voice, "I believe I can walk by myself." Jason arched a brow. “Oh, is that so? Because yesterday, you could barely stand without wobbling.” “That was yesterday,” she countered, tilting her head at him. "And I'm still complaining today," Jason responded with a smirk. He held the car door open for her and assisted her as she got in before getting in himself. While the driver placed the bags in the trunk, Kendall smiled and shook her head, with amusement shining in her eyes. Are you aware that you are doing too much? I’m fine, really.” Jason reclined in his chair, securing his seatbelt. "I prefer to go overboard than to wish I had
Jason carefully opened the door, trying to make as little noise as possible, and immediately looked at Kendall. She was nestled on her side, breathing evenly, with a calm expression on her face. The warm glow in the room was created by the setting sun filtering through the half-drawn curtains in shades of gold. Jason paused briefly, observing her, feeling his heart grow with an unnamed emotion. "He thought she appeared very calm," his lips formed a slight smile. “After everything today, she deserves this rest.” Still, the persistent concern eating away at the recesses of his thoughts remained relentless. Jason glanced around the room. The partially filled suitcase by the closet grabbed his attention, quietly reminding him of their impending journey. He sighed while pulling up his sleeves. "Okay, time to finish this," he quietly said, moving closer to the task. While grabbing one of Kendall's carefully folded shirts, he noticed the lingering fragrance of her beloved lavender perfume
Jason watched as Kendall ate the rest of her lunch with little enthusiasm while sitting by her bedside. The chef had excelled with the spread, but Kendall hardly ate any of it. Jason refrained from commenting, as he didn't want to push too much, but her diminished appetite worried him. She appeared improved from the previous night, yet he couldn't overlook the fragility in her. Her typically lively skin tone appeared pale, and although her eyes stayed friendly, they held a hint of darkness, as if she was concealing something. His phone vibrated on the bedside table, breaking the silence. He glanced at Kendall. “I’ll just take this. Be right back,” he murmured, brushing her hand gently before stepping into the hallway. While he departed, Kendall absentmindedly traced patterns on the blanket with her fingers. After the door closed with a click, she released a quiet breath, a hint of unease appearing on her face. She felt another jolt in her stomach. She shifted, adjusting her positio
When morning came, Jason was still there. His body was rigid from remaining in the same position all night, barely shifting. Seeing Kendall wake up and her complexion improving slightly helped relieve the tension in his muscles. “Good morning,” he said quietly, his voice tinged with relief. Kendall blinked up at him, her lips curving into a faint smile. “You stayed.” "Definitely," he stated while removing a loose strand of hair from her face. "What is your emotional state?”“Better,” she said softly, though her voice lacked its usual energy. Jason nodded, his worry not entirely abated but tempered by her slight improvement. “I ran a bath for you,” he said. “Thought it might help you feel refreshed.” Kendall's demeanor became more gentle, clearly showing her appreciation. "There was no need for you to do that." “I wanted to,” Jason said simply. “Come on. Let me help you.” Kendall let him help her, leaning on him while they walked to the bathroom. Even though she had objecte
Jason shifted, sensing the chill void on the opposite side of the bed. Instinctively, he extended his arm and his fingers made contact with Kendall's shoulder. Her body felt unnaturally warm. He immediately opened his eyes and his heart raced as he looked in her direction. Kendall was curled up, her face red and covered in sweat. She took quick breaths and shook under the blanket. “Kendall?” He leaned over her, his voice filled with tension. She moved and her eyelids opened slightly, fluttering. In a soft whisper, she spoke with a hoarse voice that was barely audible, saying, "Jason." "You have a fever," he commented, reaching for her forehead. The fear chilling his spine was caused by the heat emanating from her skin. She muttered, trying to push his hand away, saying "It's... it's nothing." "I will be okay." Jason ignored her protest, sitting up and reaching for his phone on the nightstand. “I’m calling a doctor.” “No!” Kendall quickly reached out and grabbed his wrist firml
The warm golden glow of early sunlight flowed in through the drapes, brightening the room. When Jason opened his eyes, he noticed Kendall curled up on her side. He grinned as he observed her briefly before getting out of bed. He moved quietly, determined to let her sleep a little longer. But as he walked past her to grab a towel, her faint groan stopped him. He turned back, noticing the way her hand clutched at her abdomen, her face drawn in pain even in sleep. “Kendall?” he asked softly, moving closer. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, briefly looking confused before she managed a small smile. "Morning," she whispered quietly, her voice rough. Jason knelt next to the bed, examining her expression. “Are you okay? You look pale.” She waved a dismissive hand, though her movements were sluggish. “I’m fine. Just… pregnancy stuff. Nothing to worry about.” He frowned. “You sure? You seem—” “Jason,” she cut him off gently, pushing herself up to sit. “I said I’m fine. Don’t start
The villa was peaceful, except for the steady sound of waves crashing far away. Jason had placed a small dining table on the patio, where a gentle, golden light was shining and creating moving shadows on the stone floor. Kendall stopped at the entrance, her eyes locked on the view in front of her. On the table, there was a bottle of chilled sparkling cider in an ice bucket and a neatly arranged bouquet of white lilies, her preferred flowers. Jason stood next to the table, fixing a candle that was beginning to tilt dangerously. At the sound of her steps, he looked back, his face glowing with a small, contented smile. "You've arrived at the perfect moment," he stated as he pulled a chair out for her. "Jason, what is that?" Kendall asked, her voice tinged with surprise as she approached. “Dinner,” he replied simply, his tone casual but his eyes warm. “I thought we could use a quiet evening.” Her gaze softened. "You didn't need to go to such lengths." "It wasn't a problem," Jason r