A Game of words

Chapter 10

I stood frozen, my mind replaying his words.

“This isn’t the first time I’ve given you a rose .”

What did he mean?

I turned to him, confusion creeping into my voice. “What are you talking about?”

Jake leaned his head slightly, his lips curving into an amused smirk. “You mean you don’t remember? You’re hurting my feelings, Andrea.”

Why was he speaking so casually with me, as if we were friends?

“You didn’t give me any rose, Jake. You’re just trying to play games with me,” I said, with frustration in my tone.

He giggled, shaking his head. “Hmm… Andrea, I thought you were smarter than this.” His smirk deepened.

I crossed my arms. “And why are you talking to me like we’re friends? Just because you saved me doesn’t mean we’re best buddies. Just answer my question—did I take a rose from you? Because as far as I know, I don’t remember.”

Jake let out an excessive sigh and placed one hand on his chest while the other folded behind his back. Then, in a dramatic voice, he said, “Oh, forgive me, my lady. I shouldn’t speak so casually with you. After all, you’re Andrea Sinclair.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, stop joking around,” I said, despite the small smile forming on my lips.

He noticed. “You have a beautiful smile,” he murmured.

I froze, completely caught off guard. My smile disappeared instantly, and I quickly looked away.

Jake brushed past me, plucking another rose. He twisted it between his fingers, staring at it as if it held some deep secret. “So, you really don’t recall taking a rose from me?”

My frustration grew. “Can you please stop playing games with me? It doesn’t make sense that you would give me a rose.”

“Well,” he said, shrugging, “a lot of things don’t make sense at first. But don’t worry—you’ll remember eventually.”

I groaned. “You’re impossible.”

“I prefer the term mysterious,” he corrected, flashing me another one of his smug smiles.

I shot him a glare, but it only seemed to amuse him more. He liked that I was frustrated. He liked that he had the upper hand in this conversation, and I hated it.

Fine. If he wanted to play games, I’d play along.

I took a step closer, folding my arms and looking him straight in the eyes. “Alright then, mysterious Jake. Can you please refresh my memory?”

He leaned against the garden table, his expression victorious. “Hmm. That’s a story for another day.” He gave me a mock bow.

I threw my hands up. “You’re unbelievable!”

“Hey, patience is a virtue,” he replied smoothly.

I scoffed. “You’re infuriating.”

“So I’ve been told.”

I turned away, placing my hands on my waist. There was no way he had given me a rose before. The few times I had seen Jake while I was with Jason, he had been quiet, always in the background. Never saying much.

But this Jake standing before me now? He was nothing like the man I remembered.

He was confident. Playful. And for some reason, he knew things I didn’t.

“You’re thinking too hard, Andrea,” he said, watching me carefully. “It’s not that big of a deal.”

I turned back to him, narrowing my eyes. “If it’s not a big deal, why did you bring it up?”

Jake shrugged. “Maybe I just like watching you struggle to figure it out.”

I sucked in a sharp breath. He was enjoying this.

“You know,” I said, crossing my arms again. “For someone who claims to have helped me, you’re not very forthcoming with answers.”

Jake chuckled, brushing an invisible speck off his sleeve. “Answers are overrated. You should enjoy the mystery.”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s easy for you to say when you’re not the one being left in the dark.”

“Ah, but where’s the fun in knowing everything at once?” He gave me another smirk. “It ruins the excitement.”

I let out a long breath. “Fine. I give up.”

Jake raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Giving up already?”

“No, I’m just choosing my battles. I have more important things to think about,” I said, deciding now was the right time to ask the question I really wanted answers to.

I straightened, fixing my gaze on him. “Alright, then. Let’s talk about something else.”

Jake tilted his head. “Oh? Like what?”

“Why did you save me?”

For the first time since we started talking, the amusement in his eyes flickered. His smirk faltered—just for a second.

“That’s a broad question,” he said casually.

I narrowed my eyes. “Then give me a broad answer.”

Jake looked away as if considering his words. “Let’s just say… I had my reasons.”

I wasn’t satisfied. “That’s not an answer.”

He glanced back at me, his smirk returning. “It’s an answer. Just not the one you want.”

I clenched my fists, resisting the urge to groan. “You keep dodging my questions.”

“And yet, you keep asking.” He winked.

I shook my head. “You are impossible.”

Jake sighed dramatically. “That’s the third time you’ve said that today. I might start taking offense.”

I exhaled deeply. This conversation was going nowhere. I needed to know what was going on, but talking to Jake was like running in circles. He was too good at avoiding the important questions.

The weather had started changing. The sun was slowly going down, and the clouds were gathering—it looked like it was about to rain.

Jake stretched his arms lazily. “Well, I guess nature is telling me I’ve enjoyed your company long enough. Time to say goodbye, my lady.” He bent slightly in another mocking bow.

I watched as he turned and started walking away.

“See you around, Andrea,” he said over his shoulder, giving a small wave before disappearing into the house.

I stood there for a moment, staring after him.

I knew he was hiding something. But what?

Nothing stays hidden forever. I would find out the truth sooner or later.

Letting out a sigh, I turned and headed back inside just as the first drops of rain started to fall.

Back in my room, I sat on my bed, flipping through an old photo album to distract myself from my thoughts.

Then, suddenly, my eyes landed on a familiar picture.

Kate.

My breath caught in my throat. Kate.

How could I have forgotten about her?

I had been so consumed with everything happening—the betrayal, the revenge, escape, returning home—that I hadn’t even thought about my best friend.

She must be worried sick.

Kate had been there for me through everything. Even when Jason had started being distant, even when my marriage had started crumbling—she was the only one who never left my side. She kept encouraging me, telling me things would get better.

And now, after everything, I had disappeared without a single word to her.

I clutched the album tightly.

I needed to see her.

I needed to tell her I was back.