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A night with the wrong man.
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Maria Turmoil.
He had thoughtlessly raced there, void of thoughts or cognition, just the screaming voice in his head replaying Theo's words, over and over. His wedding had gone horribly wrong, but this- nothing could be worse. He pulled into the hospital driveway, not waiting to park properly, he stormed into the hospital. He had lost his house, the little left of his privacy, there was no way he could handle losing his mother. He could barely make out words, in his head, a thousand of them squeezed their way out of his mouth, but were too inaudible to be heard, the look of horror on the young nurse's face as he tried to describe his mother or Theo completely through him off. He was afraid, irrational, and mad that she wouldn't preternaturally decipher what he tried to say. "Jackson," a careful, familiar call caused him to turn, it was Theo. "Over here," he ushered as he stood in the corridor, his hands folded and resting on his chest. "Where..." He swallowed, his head giving thunderous
Maria Mere.
"I only tell you what you need to know, Maria." From the other end came his voice, piercing hard into her chest before the sound grew static. The rest of what he said she couldn't decipher, he had pulled her into a foggy state with that sentence.Maybe she'd placed herself on a pedestal that he didn't put her on. Who was she to demand an explanation from Jackson Jones, a person who was merely her boss and a business partner? Maria realized she had made the mistake of thinking he'd care about her just as she cared about him. It wasn't her first time doing that, thinking people change or people get better. Even if she had made such a mistake, was it supposed to hurt this much? She sat in fear, glued to the bed, not wanting to take a step out of the room she was in. There was an illusion of lurking doom that haunted her fragile mind. A lot of 'what ifs' she wouldn't dare take her chances on. Fervently reminding herself that they were nothing but business partners, just two people who had
Maria Crash-
Jackson would never have come home if his mother hadn't insisted, forcing him to spend the night with his 'wife' like she had been aware of the marriage. He hadn't been in the right state of mind, seeing her that way had placed him on an edge, a place where everything else seemed like a discomfort. After another endolumial ultrasonography endoscopy, explained by the doctor to be a body that allows ultrasound pictures of the pancreas to be taken, he had a lengthy discussion with him. What he learned didn't help him feel better in anyways. It was a stage three cancer, which meant that the tumor had spread to other sites in the body. Surgery or chemotherapy gave only a fifty percent chance of survival, it was a win-or-lose situation. She could die. His mother could die. Like a slap to his face, that realization left a lingering pain. Now, Maria, he had hurt her, he knew he had, and it didn't feel right. He would have brushed it off, and acted like it didn't matter but deep down, there
Maria A slip.
Should she like it? She didn't know. It happened unexpectedly, but for many reasons, it was the best thing that had happened in months, her face flushed as she watched him angrily unplug the kettle. It made her wonder what would have happened if it hadn't made a sound. He came rushing back to her, she could tell how nervous he was just by looking at his face, and the way he stole glances at her without directly making contact. Then again, anyone would, especially after kissing someone they should be platonic with."So...breakfast? I don't know how you like your pancakes but I made them to the best of my abilities," he said with his lips curved upwards in a smile, those warm welcoming lips that Maria would like to savor again."Yeah, sure," she said as she walked towards the dining table with nothing better to say, she wore her hair down which made it easier to hide her red, rosy cheeks. She stared in awe at the food displayed on the table, some of the pancakes looked like victim
Maria Spilled
The worst, the absolutely unexpected thing had happened. Jackson watched Maria's face freeze as Harry's voice toppled through the room, punching with a raging intensity while he questioned their marital status. He wondered how long he had been there and how much of their conversation he had heard. Maria turned her face from Harry's to his, questions of what to do next clouded her shocked face but she maintained composure. Jackson knew this was something he should handle, Harry was his brother, after all, he was going to understand. Jackson stood up and walked to Harry, grabbing his wrist so they could talk privately, he felt that was best at the moment. Harry jerked his hand from his grip, anger obvious on his stern face, and walked to Maria instead like he had a business with her instead him, the brother. "What did I just hear you say? Is this a joke?" A wry laughter escaped his lips as questioned her with clenched fist. Maria neither bulged nor gave a response, neithe
Maria Drawing lines.
She walked out with an increased pace, widening her strides with the hopes of Harry not being able to catch up with her, she did not need any more forms of disturbance from him. His existence, plainly, was a form of disturbance itself. She walked through the corridor trying t remember where she'd seen the vending machine, it was definitely downstairs but everything seemed so similar. The whole of the hospital was smeared with white paint, a bright color that somehow spreads positivity, only the appliances were of different colors. Harry was not in sight, and she was grateful for that. Maybe he got the message and decided to leave her be. Her happiness didn't last a second."Over here." Harry called out from a corner of the hospital, standing before the vending machine. "I found it. I figured it would be better if we split up to find it, it was easier that way." He ranted, his hands tucked in his pocket.We? There was no we. Maria had two options, to walk away ignoring him lik
Maria Back to work.
He flung the phone to the other side of the chair grumpily, like Higgins's message had appalled him, whatever it was, Maria wasn't sure if it was going to be good for them, not after the paparazzi and marriage stunt."What did he say? Is there a problem?" She asked, tying her hair into a ponytail at the same time."They want me present tomorrow, with Natasha and a couple of other actors. I think the producers are going to be there." He had a habit of ruffling his hair at any slight inconvenience, "the project commences soon.""Oh." That was all it occurred to her to say, deep down, she was happy something was moving, and the faster the pace of things, the easier it got for her. She should be selfish and ambitious, she should be angry with achieving her goals and her rage-filled years of torture should fuel her longing, but why did she feel no better than a leech? He didn't even know her real reason for going through with the contract marriage."Are you okay?" He asked with worry wr
Maria Home.
She brushed Natasha's words off like they meant nothing, it did. Walking away from her even as her condescending stare pricked the nape of her neck. Whatever ploy she had in mind would have to wait. Her hand was still locked in Jackson's who stroked it with his thumb like he was reassuring her, and she felt ever so calm, so prepared for whatever might get thrown at her. She was Maria Gracia after all.Heads turned as the door was slid open, and her vision threatened to blur as different pairs of eyes pricked her skin, it was horrifying how silent and cold the office was. It was different, bigger, and wider than Sean's. They all sat around a conference table with different files scattered before them, Maria did a mental headcount, they were nine of them, seven of whom she had never seen, the other two being Higgins and Sean. She inhaled deeply, wishing for the sudden weight on her shoulders to lighten. Jackson led the way, leading her to a chair next to the one he settled on and Natas
Latest chapter
Maria The end.
*FINAL CHAPTER*"I found the pills, and- and I don't know what to say," she broke down and started to cry. "After all these while, you still take them? I thought you were done! I thought you were clean! God... it's been six months and you kept lying to me! You lied to me!"She watched him wince and he sought the right words to say. He crumbled before her. He looked like the ghost of his former self."Why do you keep going back? After rehab! After the therapy sessions, why do you keep going back!?" She yelled, frantic. Her terror was built up by the moment."Because no one understands!" He yelled back. "No matter how hard I try to be me, no matter how hard I try to stop, I keep finding my way back to it! I was clean! Till I wasn't. I tried! I tried and tried but there was nothing to help me get through it""But I am here-""No, not like that. I know but not that like that, okay?" He threw the cup on the table across the wall and grabbed his head, pulling and thugging at his hair, "Wha
Maria This part is done
Jackson- Jackson had been hit. She chanted in her head, it replayed over and over. The image of him struggling with Andrew, that was the last thing she remembered before the world fell into a threatening silence. Her eyes slowly opened to a blinding glow of light. She shut them back because they hurt. Maria tried again and opened her eyes slowly this time. It took a while to overpower the headache and realize that she was in a hospital, and next to her was Jackson, fast asleep with half his body on the bed and the lower half on the chair that was next to the bed.She would have shouted if her throat didn't feel clogged. Jackson was next to her. What had happened? It felt as though it's been months till she last saw him. Maria squirmed lightly, shaking the bed a little to wake him up. She needed to know what had happened. Everything felt like a threat."Jackson, Jackson," she called out slowly and when he didn't answer, she could feel her eyes begin to water, "Jackson, please wake up.
Maria Closer to the end
On his phone's screen was a picture of Maria unconscious and with a nasty injury on her head. He was still at Harry's when he received the picture. He had been shocked beyond word, and Harry had to squeeze the phone out of his hands to know the reason for his shock. The message came with an instruction of confidentiality and an address he was asked to come discreetly without company, if he did anything out of place, she would be badly hurt. If the shock hadn't been obvious on his face, Jackson would have thought going alone was the best option. He couldn't stand the thought of something bad happening to her. She had been through enough already. It's been long since Jackson experienced such crippling anxiety. It was as though every nerve in his body worked at a faster pace and then took a downward spiral at intervals. This was bad. It was really bad. He never should have left her, clearly, he underestimated Andrew. This has to be his doing, it wasn't traceable to anyone else. "Calm
Maria Square one
For the brief moment that her eyes pried open, she felt that she was in transit. A vehicle or whatever mode of transportation it was, after that she drifted into another deep sleep till hours later. Or had it been days? Maria wasn't quite sure. She woke up with a splitting headache and tried to recognize the environs she found herself in. She didn't. And in the process of that, her headache got worse. Had she been hit? There was a banging pain at the side of her head, it hurts so much it could kill and she reached for it, except her hands weren't moving. It took all she had to tilt her head and see that it had been tied to the side of the chair in which she sat. Maria couldn't understand what was going on, she tried to recall and in bits and pieces, her memories began to sum up something more reliable. In violent glimpses, she could remember how foolishly she had opened the door for someone who was supposed to be her pizza delivery guy, when she tried to remember what happened after
Maria I know.
Harry left a while after bouncing on and off their discussion, they discussed how factual the situation may be and possible ways of finding out the truth. All of which Maria heard. Was pretending she did not hear all this lying? She had to speak to Jackson about it, but somehow she couldn't find the right way to. She appeared in the living room with her happiest smile and liveliest gaze, it was sickening. The shock, the thoughts. It ate at her at an unbelievable pace."Good morning, sunshine," Jackson said at the sight of her, his smile was faltering, and so was his facade. "I was just about to find you an audition for the sleeping beauty two, did you sleep well?"Of course, he was going to hide all of it behind humor. Was she beginning to get mad at him for not telling her the truth immediately? How long does he plan to hide it? Again, at the back of her mind, she felt as though she had no right to react. "I think I'd be a better Cinderella or Moana." She responded and gave him a b
Maria Found?
Things were going well, or they should be considering neither of them has brought up the issue with Andrew. It was due to be handled and Jackson had the perfect plan, but that could wait. Their relationship is what needed fixing. They didn't go back to the penthouse yet and everything was going okay, except for the never-ending apologies Maria offered and her 'do you still love me?" at frequent intervals. After what happened, Jackson was sure he could never stop loving her even when he tried, and her feelings were more obvious now after whatever discussion she'd had with his mother.Everything should be fine. They were back on track, and slowly and steadily, they'd be able to put their differences behind them. And of course, he was going to help her with her career, once the storm was over, he'd assist her in any way he could. She deserved to have her dreams fulfilled. It was morning and the coffee makers around him somehow only listened to Maria, so he has to sit and wait for her to
Maria oh, wow.
Strange coincidence. It's not like I knew someone else who lived in Spain and bore the name 'Maria.' Strange coincidence, really. Why did it make me feel so uneasy? I watched her as she unburdened, every word left her mouth as though it took a part of her with it. It wasn't the best sight.She continued. "I didn't have any family members or relatives, and it was impossible to get to the USA, I was under scrutiny at the time. They didn't let me go and Alfred didn't have my best interests at heart. After I had Maria, the evidence grew incriminating and I'd rather know where my child was than have them take her away from me. So I tried to escape, or I did, for a brief moment. The only place I could think of was the orphanage and I dropped her there," her voice cracked and she began to tear up again. "I dropped my daughter inside the orphanage and fled because I was too scared, too ashamed to be seen as the irresponsible mother. It was rainy that night...and I stayed, hoping someone s
Maria Explain.
*HARRY*It hasn't exactly been the best day for me, especially with the conflicting emotions, especially when I saw Maria this morning, I thought I was over her. I thought it would hurt less but every piece of advice I gave Jackson was half-minded. Being selfless was hard. I was doing the exact opposite of what I had threatened to do, it was funny how in between a split second I dropped from wanting their relationship in ruins into wanting them to work. Emotions were the most unstable thing I know.There was so much paperwork to be attended to and Higgins wasn't exactly helpful, not with the stunt that Jackson had pulled, everywhere and everyone was in chaos, it still seemed as though Sean was shrinking, it must be the stress. Maybe I was too, but how could I tell? Managing a personality such as Jackson's was a six-man work, and I had to handle it all alone.Enough of these thoughts, I cautioned in my head. I was driving and half the time, the road seemed blurry and I've had other dri
Maria Resolution
He beat her. That son of a bitch. That good for nothing laid in his hands her. The anger that Jackson thought had dissipated was beginning to take form — hard and fast. It sounded like the most absurd thing he has heard all year long. The woman he loves experienced the same thing as his mother whom he had been so naive, too small to lend a helping hand. It was beyond anger—what he felt, it was rage, a good amount of it directed at himself. Why hadn't he noticed? When he saw how shaken up she was by his presence, why didn't he think of all this? He had been bummed when she opened up about everything, it was impossible to voice her struggles adequately but she did a good job at it. It made him wonder what he'd have done if he had woken up and found himself in an orphanage with a couple of other kids, all ordinary. Would he have tried to be different like she did? Even when she fought for her dreams, she still suffered for them at the hands of someone like Andrew. He didn't know
